How To Get Rid of Weeds – For Good!

Want to finally learn how to get rid of weeds in grass? You’re not alone. Harsh Arizona temperatures present the perfect opportunity for weed growth throughout an otherwise healthy lawn. Learn how to combat these pesky plants by knowing how to prevent and effectively remove weeds.

how to get rid of weeds in grass

What Causes Weeds to Grow

You might be doing everything right to maintain your lawn, yet still find yourself fighting weeds every month like clockwork. Keep in mind, weeds are opportunistic and germinate the moment they’re exposed to a little rain and sun. Seeds will multiply as quickly as possible under optimal conditions, getting assistance from birds, rodents, rain runoff, and wind. Even the laborious act of pulling weeds may cause seeds to spread.

Common Weeds in Arizona

In learning how to get rid of weeds in grass, it’s imperative you know the species. Different types of weeds require different methods of eradication. Common Arizona weeds are:

  • Spotted Spurge
  • Filaree
  • Common Mallow
  • Nutgrass
  • London Rocket

How to Get Rid of Weeds in Grass

Again, weeds are resourceful and very resilient, so understand that weed control won’t likely be a one-time occurrence. The Family Handyman gives you six practical solutions to weed control.

  1. Maintain your turf

Don’t give seeds the sunlight they need to grow. Keep your lawn cut to the recommended height based on sod type. Grass that is properly fertilized and watered at the ideal height will provide enough shade to outperform weeds.

  1. Know your weeds

The three main categories of weeds are annual grassy weeds (e.g. crab grass), perennial grassy weeds (e.g. quack grass), and broadleaf weeds (e.g. ground ivy). Each type requires the appropriate product, application method, and frequency of treatment.

  1. Control broadleaf weeds

Use a broadleaf herbicide and distribute it with the smallest possible applicator. To control sporadic weeds, spot treat them with a small pressure sprayer. Weed patches need a 1-2 gallon tank sprayer. Lastly, bring in a dial sprayer when your lawn has succumbed to uncontrollable weeds.

  1. Control perennial weeds

Because perennial grasses typically return year after year due to strong underground root systems, it’s not enough to simply pull them. Nonselective weed killers like Roundup will solve the weed problem but create another one—they will kill all plant life including your Arizona sod. Instead, put a cloth glove over a rubber glove, dip your hand in herbicide, and coat the blades starting from the base and moving upward. Don’t worry about actually pulling the weeds or coating every last blade—your method should work within a few days.

  1. Control annual weeds

Perfect timing is crucial in preventing crab grass, so be sure to apply treatment between the first and third mow in the spring. If it still rears its ugly head, control crab grass by:

  • Hand-pulling clumps and reseeding bare spots as needed
  • Letting it go until next spring when you can once again try to time it correctly
  • Treating clumps with crab grass killer (note: if you wait until summer or fall, this method will not work as seed heads will have already formed)
  1. Know when to call it quits

Pessimism aside, poor conditions may mean that you’ll be forever fighting weeds, dead grass, and infestations. Consult a professional to consider if a complete resod might be a better option. If all else fails, you can always default to Arizona landscape trends: desert rocks with cacti or low-maintenance ground cover.

Call Evergreen Turf at 480-456-1199 for a free phone consultation to discuss existing lawn care problems and practical solutions to your weed-related woes.

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