9 Reasons You May Not Be Getting Rid Of Weeds

If you’re concerned about lawn care, weeds are likely to be high on your list, as they can detract from your lawn’s overall beauty and enjoyment. You may have tried to get rid of them, but there are some stubborn ones that won’t go away. There could be several reasons why weeds are sticking around, including the fact that some invasive weeds cannot be controlled selectively, and you may not be using the best weed control products or treating them at the right time. Additionally, if your soil is compacted or your lawn is too thin, it can create favorable conditions for weeds. Therefore, it’s essential to have a comprehensive approach that addresses all of these factors in order to get rid of weeds in your lawn effectively.

Some Weeds Cannot be Controlled Selectively Selective weed control products aim to control specific groups of weeds without harming the surrounding vegetation, whereas non-selective weed control targets all vegetation, including turfgrass. Selective weed control is crucial to protect your turfgrass while eliminating broadleaf and grassy weeds.However, some invasive weed species, such as Bermudagrass and K-31 Tall Fescue, cannot be controlled selectively. This poses a challenge as using certain products may not effectively eliminate these weeds.
You’re Not Using the Best Weed Control Products Controlling weeds in a lawn is a nuanced task that requires careful consideration of the type of weed and the appropriate product to use. Granular and over-the-counter liquid products may not be as effective as professional-grade options, which come in many different formulations of active ingredients. Homeowners have access to only a few of these products, while professionals have access to dozens. Granular products require a wet lawn for the product to adhere to the weeds, and rain-free conditions for 24 hours in order to work, making the process error-prone. Some weeds, such as crabgrass, nutsedge, and wild violet, require targeted applications, which some professional services may not include in their program or charge extra for.
You’re Not Treating at the Right Time To effectively eliminate weeds from your yard, it’s essential to target them at the right time of the year. As different types of weeds germinate at various times, controlling them requires a comprehensive, year-round approach involving several different weed control products. In areas such as Greenville, Ohio and surrounding areas, dandelions and clover are prevalent in spring, while summer brings the emergence of crabgrass, nutsedge, and summer annual broadleaf weeds. Many weed species may resurface in fall, and controlling tough-to-eradicate varieties like wild violets and ground ivy can seem never-ending. Keep in mind that some weeds need multiple control efforts, not just a one-time treatment. Weed control products work most effectively during active growth, so applying them at the right time is crucial. If you or your professional lawn care service does not switch up products based on the season, you’re unlikely to achieve a weed-free lawn.
Your Soil is Compacted Good soil health is incredibly important when it comes to growing healthy grass. Healthy soil promotes root growth and development. However, when soil becomes compacted, it puts a great amount of strain on your turf because it doesn’t allow nutrients, oxygen, and water to penetrate the soil.Conversely, there are a variety of weed species that have adapted to compacted soil conditions. Crabgrass, for instance, is an opportunistic weed that will thrive in compacted soil, quickly filling in bare spots where grass is struggling to grow.If you can’t seem to get rid of weeds in the lawn, solving your compaction problem may actually help your lawn to become thicker, resulting in fewer weeds. Fortunately, this is something that aeration can remedy by loosening up the soil and allowing more oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate below the surface where grass roots truly need them. Anything you do to promote a healthier lawn could ultimately lead to fewer weeds in the future.
Your Lawn is Too Thin A thin lawn not only has a poor visual appeal but also attracts weeds as they can grow easily in bare areas where they don’t have to compete with healthy turf for sunlight. To tackle this issue, you can take measures to promote a healthy and dense lawn. For instance, you can opt for services like over-seeding during aeration to encourage healthy growth that will naturally suppress the growth of weeds. Moreover, regular fertilization will also help to thicken the lawn over time.
Not Enough Sunlight While it’s true that grass typically requires around 5 to 7 hours of direct sunlight per day to flourish, certain types of weeds can still grow in shady conditions. Ground ivy and wild violets are two examples of weeds that thrive in shady areas and can quickly take over. If your lawn isn’t receiving enough sunlight, you may need to consider pruning or even removing some trees to allow more light to filter through. This can help your grass grow healthily and ultimately suppress the growth of weeds.However, if you’d like to keep your trees and there are heavily shaded areas in your lawn, consider alternative solutions. For instance, add some flower beds or mulched areas in the spots where grass doesn’t grow as thick or healthy.
You’re Not Mowing Properly Your efforts to eliminate weeds from your lawn may be affected by your mowing practices, which may surprise you. By mowing your grass too short or cutting too close to the edges of your driveway and walkways, you are creating an environment that may encourage weed growth.As we previously mentioned, opportunistic weeds like crabgrass and many types of broadleaf weeds prefer thin areas in your lawn where they can easily access sunlight. To avoid this, we suggest mowing your grass to a minimum height of 3.5 inches. This will also aid in preserving moisture in the soil for your grass.
Your Lawn Is Not Getting Enough Water Adequate watering is crucial for maintaining a thick and healthy lawn that can fend off weeds naturally. However, your lawn might not be receiving enough water, which can lead to weed growth. Ideally, your lawn should receive around one to two inches of water per week, but if it’s not raining enough to meet this requirement, you should consider irrigating your lawn to keep it healthy and prevent weed growth.
You Have a Soil Health Problem In addition to compaction, soil health is another important factor to consider. Healthy soil is filled with beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which are essential for your grass to absorb nutrients from the soil and from fertilizers. When your soil is rich in these microorganisms, it can help protect your lawn from diseases and pests that can weaken it and make it more susceptible to weeds.If you are using a lawn care program that doesn’t prioritize soil health (which is, unfortunately the case with many professional lawn services), this could be the reason why you’re struggling to eliminate weeds from your lawn.Effectively Getting Rid of Weeds in your Lawn To effectively get rid of weeds in your lawn, a multifaceted approach is necessary, and simply using inferior products repeatedly is not a long-term solution. This approach is similar to playing a never-ending game of lawn care whack-a-mole, where you keep addressing symptoms without getting to the root of the problem. Instead, a comprehensive strategy involving good habits such as aeration, over-seeding, regular watering, proper mowing, and a lawn care program that prioritizes soil health is required.By implementing these efforts, you can create a healthy lawn that will naturally choke out weeds by addressing the underlying issue. Over time, you may even need fewer weed control products if your lawn is healthy and thick. However, it’s crucial to have a professional regularly service your lawn to watch out for difficult-to-control weeds.While dealing with weeds can be frustrating, it doesn’t have to be. By selecting the right program and working with professionals, you can achieve a healthy lawn that will keep weeds at bay. If you’re in Greenville, Ohio or surrounding areas and want to learn more about our lawn care programs, request a quote today and let us help you find the right program for your needs. Then, sit back and relax as we transform your lawn.