Getting Rid of Weeds, part 2

An important part of keeping your lawn looking healthy and nice is to keep weeds at bay. Weeds are not only pesky, but they can take needed nutrients from your grass, preventing it from being able to grow properly. If the weeds on your lawn become out of control, you may want to consider implementing a more serious plan to eradicate the problem.  However, if you only have a bit of weed problem, there’s a lot you can do on your own. Check out part one of this series to find more information on this topic.

Below you will find some more tips to help you be rid of those weeds in your yard.

HAND-WEEDING

If you want to grow a healthy lawn, you must employ correct watering and good mowing in order to keep weeds from growing or forming. If you already have weeds in your yard though, there are some things you can do to be rid of them:

If you have a small lawn, with an non-overwhelming number of weeds, hand-weeding may be the most effect option for you.  This tactic is probably most helpful against weeds such as the broadleaf. If you pull these weeds before they seed or flower, while they’re young, you can prevent the weeds from spreading.

It’s also important to eradicate perennial weeds early on. If you have an extensive problem with dandelions, it is important to note that the entire plant, including the root will need to be pulled. Any part of the plant – root, seed, leaf – left in the ground will sprout a new plant. They are also hard to pull when they’re fully formed. If new sprouts are formed, pull them constantly to starve and kill the weed.

It is easiest to weed when you have moist soil. If you need extra help, try using a dandelion digger to help get at the root. If you don’t reseed the spot where the weed was after you pull it out, new weeds will likely fill it in.

PULLING WEEDS PERMANENTLY

Dandelions are perennial weeds, and they should always be pulled when they’re young. If your soil is moist, you should push a dandelion digger or a sharp shovel into the soil. Angle this down toward the middle of the plant, then free up the soil surrounding it. If you use the tool to pry the weed up, don’t break the roots off! Once the weed and all the roots are out, smooth the soil down. It is also a good idea to put in some compost, and place new seed for lawn in that area. Your soil should stay moist until the grass grows in the weed’s place.

Keeping weeds at bay will always be a wise thing to do in order to keep your lawn looking fresh and nice day in and day out.  It may be difficult to keep up with all of these tasks, but you’ll appreciate it when you pull in to your driveway at the end of a long day and can see the result of all your beautiful handiwork! It feels great to have that control of your property. Weeds are pests, but they’re not completely overwhelming if you know the right tools to use to help keep them away from your yard!