Ways to Prevent Weeds From Growing on Your Lawn

Weeds in the garden and on the lawn are frequent problems. These persistent pests are a problem for even the greatest landscapers. People prefer not to have weeds on their lawn for two main reasons. The first is their unattractive looks. People don’t like invasive purple eyesores like creeping bellflowers sprouting up everywhere, painful bushes springing up, or yellow heads of dandelion sticking up everywhere. Similar to acne, weeds are natural but unwelcome.

The second reason to eliminate weeds is that they are naturally invasive and will grow as much as they can at the expense of other plants. That’s why weed control is essential to keeping your lawn healthier. There is fierce competition for every drop of water, nutrient, or ray of sunlight that falls. Weed roots compete with the roots of your grass.

Having said that, let’s take a look at how you can prevent weeds in your lawn.

1. Aerate Annually

One of the best things you can do for your grass is aeration. Aerating hits the nail because weeds enjoy dry, compact soil. It reduces soil compaction, encourages ventilation, and improves soil water retention. Every fall, you ought to aerate your lawn. If you aerate in the spring, you expose your lawn to early-season weed germination. Maintain an annual fall aeration schedule.

2. Fertilize, but Not Excessively

Lack of fertilizer can result in a thin lawn that cannot compete with weeds. Too much fertilize feeds several weeds, particularly crabgrass, Bermuda grass, and annual bluegrass. Follow the application rates on the packaging to strike a balance. Additionally, apply a fertilizer with a high proportion of nitrogen that releases slowly, such as sulfur-coated urea, urea form, or IBDU. These deliver nutrients gradually and steadily.

Healthy lawns also depend on your fertilizer strength, both in terms of frequency and time. Both rely on the kind of grass you have and how long your growing season is. Most northern lawns only require one or two fertilizer applications each year—once in the fall and possibly once more in the spring. Southern grasses may need three feedings: in the early to mid-spring, right as the grass starts to green up; in the early summer; and once more in the early fall.

3. Water Deeply

The lawn can compete better with weeds if you water it thoroughly and sparingly. Shallow root growth is encouraged by frequent, shallow irrigation. Due to this, it is more probable that the grass will suffer during hot and dry spells, leaving bare patches that weeds will exploit. Deep roots make your lawn grow thicker, which can help crowd out weeds.

4. Plant Closely to Prevent Weeds

Plant flowers, veggies, and other plants more closely together if you’re planting them in the spring. This will increase the amount of shade surrounding the plant and hinder the growth of weeds.

5. Uproot Weeds by Hand

The best technique to remove growing weeds is to pull them by hand. Make sure to remove the entire plant and its roots.