Lawn Care Weed Removal

Weeds often produce their own seeds, spurring a regeneration process.

The first step in removing lawn weeds is to identify them, according to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension. It is also important to determine the extent of the problem to determine the most appropriate removal methods.

Elbow Grease

Good old-fashioned manual labor may be the best choice for controlling mild weed issues. Dig up weeds when the soil is wet and make sure to cut off taproots in species like dandelions. Otherwise new growth will quickly develop.

Herbicides

Herbicides should be used only if the weed problem is widespread, according to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension website. There are many different commercial products available, so read labels carefully and follow directions. Some herbicides, like Scott's Goosegrass and Crabgrass Control, work best for certain types of grass. Other products are for general use and some -- like Roundup, Killzall and Kleenup -- actually have the same active ingredient.

Prevention

Preventing weeds from emerging is usually more hassle-free than removing them later. Maintain thick, healthy lawns by fertilizing regularly and watering appropriately for the grass and soil. Mow to a height of 2 1/2 inches and watch out for common methods of weed introduction: weed seeds carried by the wind, contaminated grass seed, weed seeds in irrigation water, birds, contaminated manure, and roots or runners from adjacent properties.

References

• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Landscape and Garden Weed Control