Weeds like to take over lawns in the spring so it is important to get an early jump on controlling them. These undesirable weed will be competing with desirable plants, for light, water and nutrients. They also look horrible, clogging the straight rows of vegetable and flower beds, messing up new ground cover plantings, and finding every crack and crevice in walkways, paths and driveways.
Here are some tips for preventing and eliminating weeds in your landscape.
Cultivate often. Use a trowel, hoe or other garden implement to turn the soil, uprooting young weeds and exposing their roots. Remember, though, each time you disturb the soil, you bring hidden weed seeds closer to the surface to germinate.
Use landscape fabric. Landscape fabrics are cloth-like materials that are permeable to water but smother weeds. Roll them out before planting ground covers, roses or other landscape plants, and then cut small Xs to plant through. Cover the fabric with organic mulch to make it look more natural. Landscape fabrics are also a good choice to use under gravel or stone ground covers.
Plant closely. Planting vegetables and flowers closely together will help them shade out weed seedlings.
Mulch. A thick layer of organic mulch, like compost or ground bark, will smother weed seeds, preventing young plants from reaching the surface. Weeds that do get through will be easier to remove.
Pull by hand. Picking weeds by hand can be very time consuming but if you pick weeds once or twice a week it will not be as bad. Just make sure to get all the roots.
Apply an herbicide. Look for a product that’s labeled for use in your areas of concern, such as patios, driveways, sidewalks and flower beds. Always follow label instructions.
Best Weed Killers 2021
| Name | Type | Use On | Size(s) | Coverage | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Compare-N-Save Grass and Weed Killer | Non-selective contact and systemic | Post-emergent weeds | 32 oz. or 1 gallon or 2.5 gallons | 6,300 sq. ft or 25,500 sq. ft. or 63,000 sq. ft | Check Price |
| 2. Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate Plus | Non-selective contact and systemic | Post-emergent weeds | 16 oz. or 36.8 oz. or 64 oz. | 1500 sq. ft. or 3,000 sq. ft. or 6000 sq. ft | Check Price |
| 3. Southern Ag 2,4-D Amine Weed Killer | Selective contact | Post-emergent weeds | 32 oz. | 16,000 sq. ft | Check Price |
| 4. Preen Garden Weed Preventer | Selective systemic | Pre-emergent weeds | 5.625 lbs or 13 lbs or 16 lbs or 31.3 lbs | 900 sq. ft. or 2080 sq. ft or 2560 sq. ft or 5000 sq. ft | Check Price |
| 5. Gordon’s Speed Zone Lawn Weed Killer | Selective contact | Post-emergent weeds | 20 oz. | 18.000 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 6. Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer Concentrate | Non-selective systemic | Post and Pre-emergent weeds | 32 oz. or 1 gallon or 2 gallons | 75 sq. ft. or 300 sq. ft. or 600 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 7. Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer | Selective systemic | Pre-emergent weeds | 10 lbs or 20 lbs or 30 lbs | 5,000 sq. ft. or 10,000 sq. ft. or 15,000 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 8. Roundup Control Weed and Grass Killer | Non-selective Contact and Systemic | Post and Pre-emergent weeds | 1.3 gallons | 400 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 9. Bayer Advanced Weed and Crabgrass Killer | Selective contact and systemic | Post-emergent weeds | 32 oz. | 5,000 sq. ft. | Check Price |
| 10. Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns | Selective systemic | Post-emergent weeds | 32 oz. | 16,000 sq. ft | Check Price |
Weed Control In Spring
Weeds cause problems, and when left unmanaged they can quickly take over your lawn or flowerbeds. To fight weeds quickly and effectively know what you first have to know what you are dealing with so you can choose products or removal methods that will give you the best results.
Knowing The Type Of Weeds Is Key
Identifying common weeds
- Crabgrass
- Sandbur
- Henbit
- Dock
- Thistle
- Bindweed
Types of herbicides
Frist you need to figure out what weeds needs to be managed, the next step is to get the tools that will be needed to tackle the weeds. Here are some common categories of herbicides, each for different situations.
- Pre-Emergent: Prevents germination to keep weeds from ever growing
- Post-Emergent: Kills actively growing weeds through contact
- Selective: Targets specific monocots (grasses) or dicots (broadleaf plants)
- Nonselective: Kills any plant that it contacts
- Total Vegetation: Kills all existing plants and can prevent future growth
Know the best time to attack
Whether utilizing herbicides or pulling weeds by hand, understanding how and when to act is the most effective way to manage weeds. When unsure how to remove a weed, think of the old saying, “Pull when wet; hoe when dry.” Pulling a wet weed after a drenching rain (or after using a hose) is more likely to remove the entire root system. Not only will this remove the entire weed, it will also ensure that neighboring plants remained untouched. When using a hoe to remove dry weeds, make sure it has a sharp edge to ensure these roots are cut off completely.
Mulch can help control weeds
Cut off access to sunlight and nutrients by adding a layer of mulch to that area. Mulch will cover up and suffocate weed seeds, stopping them from growing.
Know how short to go
Weeds thrive in short grass, so avoid cutting grass too short with a mower. With increased sunlight reaching weed seeds, they’re given an opportunity to grow with little hindrance. As a rule of thumb, avoid cutting grass below two inches.