Weed killer is a chemical product designed to penetrate into the soil and destroy any unwanted plants that grow there, often with potentially disastrous environmental consequences if applied incorrectly.
As an example, it is best to avoid spraying weed killer immediately after mowing your lawn as this will allow weeds to absorb it faster and thus be less likely to die off.
1. Weeds are invasive
Weeds feed on nutrients sucked out from your yard’s grass and other plants and flowers, depriving it of oxygen and moisture needed for healthy growth and rendering it unsightly and unhealthy.
Many weeds, like clover and wild violet, are considered invasive because they take away resources from healthy lawn ecosystems while altering soil nutrient balance by taking up an excessive share of its resources.
Weeds like ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and creeping speedwell (Veronica spicata) have thick roots that can quickly take over your yard if left unchecked. Their rapid spread can cut off sunlight and water needed for healthy grass, leading to flooding during storms as they block off rainwater flow.
2. Weeds steal nutrients from your grass
Weeds compete for water and nutrients with your lawn’s grass for growth, leading to stunted progress from your vegetables, flowers, and grasses in your yard.
Utilizing weed killer is ineffective at stopping invasive weeds from reappearing year after year; all it does is eliminate visible patches but does nothing to address their source of growth.
For effective weed control, take a proactive approach. Regular aeration (preferably during Fall) and overseeding with grass seed that matches your lawn will help deter weeds from taking hold. Furthermore, select an herbicide with low VOC emissions for added assurance that no grass seeds are killed by its application.
3. Weeds are a nuisance
Weeds can mar the beauty of any outdoor space, detracting from its splendor while competing with your desired plants for resources – leading to slower growth or even their death.
Many weeds, like dandelions and quackgrass, are prolific seed producers that spread their seeds with every movement, which makes weed control so essential.
Herbicide use during summer can damage desired plants and leave behind bare spots where weeds thrive. Unfortunately, weed killers do not kill dormant seeds so just because an application of Weed-n-Feed removes dandelions now doesn’t guarantee they won’t come back later; for that reason proper lawn care includes soil testing as well as regular treatments like overseeding and aeration.
4. Weeds are a fire hazard
Wedgeweeds present a fire hazard if allowed to grow out of control on your property. Once dry, they quickly dry out and become fuel for fires – becoming especially problematic in wildfire-prone regions where native brush, ornamental vegetation and overgrown annual weeds become major factors.
Professional lawn care companies can assist in keeping weeds at bay with aeration, overseeding, and an effective weed management plan. In some instances, these firms even perform double-pass aeration to pull optimal soil plugs that encourage healthy grass roots that can compete against hungry weeds.
Selective weed killers target specific plant species for elimination while non-selective herbicides like 2-4-D can kill everything they come into contact with – including children and pets that might ingest its chemicals. Selective killers are recommended in lawns where children and pets play as their chemicals could potentially poison the soil or water supplies.
5. Weeds are a health hazard
Weeds compete with grass and other desirable plants for water, nutrients and sunlight, ultimately diminishing its vitality and leaving behind less-than-ideal results.
Weed weeds spread diseases that can destroy your lawn and threaten both you and your family – especially children. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Monkshood cause itchy rashes or itching on the skin while Hemlock could prove deadly if consumed.
Granular weed and feed contains herbicides that could harm the roots of your grass if used excessively or at an inappropriate time. Also, sprays only kill visible weeds – they don’t penetrate to deep-seated seeds in soil where seeds could still exist. Therefore, for optimal results after seeding a lawn it’s wise to wait at least a month before using any weed killer products on it.