Dandelion, crabgrass and other pesky weeds can quickly take over manicured lawns and Pinterest-worthy gardens. To combat their presence, use a chemical weed killer.
But using too much or the wrong type of weed killer could be harmful for the grass and other plants. Over-spraying could damage or kill desirable species.
Weeds are a natural part of your lawn’s ecosystem
Weeds are designed to spread, thrive and steal nutrients from grass. Furthermore, their prolific seed production means they often outnumber it in terms of space and resources; without proper control they could quickly overrun your lawn and take over.
If you want to eliminate weeds, natural methods may be your best bet before resorting to chemical weed killer. Avoid digging or cultivating as this will expose hidden seeds; use mulch and other methods instead to cover the soil surface and maintain an even surface level.
Healthy, dense lawns provide an effective barrier against weeds. Their thick foliage blocks them from sunlight, competition and outcompeting their presence with fertilizers like watering, mowing and fertilization – helping your grass outcompete weeds and prevent their spread. If weeds still prove difficult to control then using natural weedkillers such as vinegar or corn gluten meal may help.
Weeds are a source of nutrients
Many plants that gardeners consider weeds – like dandelions, clover and wild oats – actually provide food for wildlife. Their flowers attract pollinators while their seeds nourish insects, birds, mammals and other creatures during times when other natural sources become scarcer.
Weeds play an integral part in combatting erosion. Their roots penetrate deep into the soil, collecting nutrients out of reach of grass or other plants and returning them back up to the surface where their decomposition releases those same nutrients back into the ground.
As spring and fall are peak weed-growing seasons, when they compete with desired plants for resources and water, weed killer should not be used; lawn fertilizer will give your grass an ideal start and help it flourish thick and healthy; this is particularly essential if there are new bare spots or newly seeded lawn areas.
Weeds are a source of pests
Prevent and remove weeds from your lawn without resorting to chemical herbicides with ease by first identifying which specific weeds need eliminating. There are products on the market which target only these specific weeds while pre-emergent herbicides work by inhibiting seed germination, and regular mowing, aeration and overseeding can all help improve grass health while helping avoid future outbreaks of weeds.
If you must use weed killer, make sure that application instructions are strictly followed. Sprays may easily veer off course and damage desired plants through “vapor drift,” while some chemicals found in some weed killers could potentially harm nearby trees and shrubs by destabilizing soil, possibly endangering nearby trees and shrubs. Herbicide residues on grass can irritate children and pets’ skin if touched, while ingestion could result in stomach upset or more serious reactions; improper calibration can also result in double dosing your lawn; improper calibrated spreader settings may also cause double dosing of dope which damages lawns significantly
Weeds are a source of water
Weeds take advantage of their presence to take away essential resources from grass and other desirable plants in a lawn, leaving it unhealthy and looking unruly. In addition, they compete for sunlight which stops it reaching grass roots, leading to less than ideal results in terms of growth and wellness. The most effective approach for dealing with weeds is through preventative methods like mulching regularly, mowing regularly, and eliminating them immediately when they appear.
Preventative lawn care begins by cultivating an environment which fosters desirable plants while discouraging weeds. This includes taking advantage of microclimates (shade lovers should stay in shade while sun lovers should spend time outdoors), performing regular soil aeration and fertilization processes, as well as overseeding your lawn at least annually.
Chemicals found in weed killer can travel through storm drains to lakes, rivers and streams where they can damage aquatic life or even reach the ocean – for instance 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is one ingredient found in numerous “weed and feed” products that has been blamed for polluting salmon habitat.