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How to Get Rid of Lawn Weeds For Good!


  • The best way to get rid of lawn weeds is to prevent them from growing in the first place by using a high-quality grass seed and some key best practices for lawn care.
  • Dethatching or scarifying your lawn once or twice a year will disrupt the growth of weeds and allow for better absorption of light, moisture, and nutrients by the grass roots.
  • Digging up weeds by hand, especially those with long taproots, is an effective way to remove them. Be sure not to leave any root fragments behind as they can quickly regrow.
  • Keeping on top of mowing (without cutting the grass too short) and removing all clippings will help prevent weed seeds from spreading and will weaken existing weeds.
  • Fertilizing and aerating your lawn regularly will help establish strong growth that can better compete against weed growth.
  • Checking your soil’s pH level can also indicate whether lime or Sulphur treatments are necessary.

If all of the above sounds daunting, don’t worry! Check out the comprehensive Lawn Serv Subscription plans–they’ll help keep track of your individual lawn’s schedule, and will send you all of the products you need, right when you need them!

Now, on to weed control!

Weeds are one of the most common and annoying problems gardeners face. Unwanted plants such as daisies, clover, and dandelions can quickly take over a lawn if left unchecked. But there’s no need to panic – with some patience and dedication you can get rid of weeds without using chemical herbicides or expensive treatments! In this blog post we’ll discuss eight simple tips for keeping your lawn weed-free: from clearing out big invasions with a trowel to regular mowing schedules, fertilizing your lawn, and checking pH levels. With these steps combined you’ll soon have a beautiful healthy lawn free from pesky weeds!

Choose the Right Grass Seed

A lush, green lawn is a great addition to any outdoor living space. But creating a beautiful lawn requires some work and planning. One of the most important aspects of having an attractive lawn is choosing the right grass seed mix. It’s important to pick a quality blend that will help you achieve beautiful results. Here are some tips on how to find the best grass seed mix for your needs. 

When selecting a grass seed mix, one of the first things you should consider is whether it is designed for residential or commercial use. Residential blends are typically designed specifically with homeowners in mind and provide higher-quality seeds than their commercial counterparts. This means fewer weeds and a healthier lawn overall. 

When shopping for grass seed mixes, you should also look for varieties that have a wide range of turfgrass types and varieties such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, or fine fescue instead of just one species. Having multiple types of turfgrass will create an even stronger foundation for your lawn and make it more resistant to disease, drought, and other environmental stresses. 

Finally, if possible try to opt for certified seed mixes with labels such as “Certified Turfgrass Seed” or “Organic Turfgrass Seed”. These labels indicate that the seeds have undergone extensive testing and are free of weed contaminants which can damage your lawn over time. Taking these steps can help ensure that your lawn has a good start and becomes an attractive feature in your outdoor living space! 

Creating a beautiful lawn can be rewarding but it does require some planning and effort. When it comes to selecting high quality grass seed mix there are several factors that you should be aware of in order to get the best results possible – from opting for residential or commercial blends depending on your needs, looking for a variety of turfgrass types in the mix, and seeking out certified or organic labels whenever possible. Following these tips can help ensure that you get the most out of your lawn care investments!

Need a recommendation? For most “Cool Season” lawns (those in the middle and Northern parts of the U.S.), we LOVE this Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra blend!

Don’t forget to de-thatch your lawn

Want to know how to get rid of lawn weeds? Dethatching or scarification is an effective approach for keeping them at bay. Wait until you’ve done the first few mows of spring and temperatures are at least 10 degrees Celsius (50°F). The process of scarification, or dethatching, will disrupt the weeds’ growth and can be performed with a scarifying rake or gas-powered tool.

This perforation of the soil’s surface allows light, moisture and essential nutrients to be more easily absorbed by the grass roots’ network, resulting in ‘lush, green growth and a healthier-looking lawn.’ Take a look at our guide on how to scarify a lawn to learn more.

Dig up Weeds by hand

Digging up weeds by hand can be a tedious but necessary task for keeping that lawn tidy and in check. The small trowel comes in useful for removing those pesky plant with long taproots such as dandelions, broad-leaved docks, and plantains – make sure you remove the full root rather than just its leaves.

After clearing out the bigger weed invasions, level the holes with compost, give a sprinkle of fresh grass seed and some water to finish off. Daisies and small clumps of clover can also be removed this same way thanks to their smaller roots. For less formal gardens however you may want to leave these pretty flowery additions alone! Just keep an eye out for couch grass as this weed is particularly difficult and difficult to destroy as it grows quickly from tiny fragments of its main root network.

If you’re unsure about any part of weeding check out our additional blogs for more tips!

Keep Up With Your Mowing Schedule

Knowing how to mow a lawn properly is a skill that most grass-owning-gardeners need to know. One of the most important things to remember is to not cut it too short, or when it’s frosted or wet, all of which can damage the turf. But mowing it in the right conditions, to the right height, will encourage strong, healthy grass. This will be better-equipped to out-grow weeds. If your lawn is already speckled with the likes of creeping thistle or common ragwort, then regular mowing is also a good way to get rid of them.

Be sure to add a clippings bag or box to your red lawnmower before you start mowing. That way, you’ll be less likely to spread the weed seeds around and cause even more weed growth. Removing all the seeds and cutting back the plant again and again will weaken them and prevent them from setting new seeds. With some patience and regular maintenance with your handy lawnmower, you’ll soon have a beautiful healthy lawn free from weeds!

Feed Your Lawn to Strengthen Your Grass!

Fertilizing your lawn with the right fertilizer is key for keeping weeds at bay and ensuring a healthy, lush lawn. A balanced fertilizer should be applied in late spring and autumn to provide essential nutrients for grass growth. Taking it one step further, aeration of the soil should be done a day or so before applying fertilizer. As well as allowing fertilizer to penetrate deep into the roots of the grass, aerating helps to break up compacted soil and improves drainage. With these steps combined, you will have your doorstep daisy-free in no time! Need more advice? Check out our spring lawn care tips article!

Check Your Lawn’s pH Level

It’s important to keep an eye on the pH of your lawn in order to ensure your grass is getting everything it needs to grow healthy and strong. Generally, soil should register at a level between 6.0 and 7.0 on your soil test. If the reading is below 7.0, then you may notice weeds such as dandelions emerging – this indicates that the soil is too acidic for normal grass growth. To correct this problem you can add lime to your lawn; likewise, if the reading is above 7.0 then you may need intervene with garden sulphur to give your grass the right amount of acidity in which to thrive.

Comprehensive soil testing is included with all of our Lawn Serv subscription plans, but if you’re just looking for a standalone soil test kit, that’s ok too! You can find those here.

Use Chemical Weed Killers/Prevention Only When Necessary

Sometimes (particularly when left untreated for several years in a row), weeds may just seem like they are taking over. When none of the organic or manual approaches seem to be working, there are very effective and targeted products available that will take care of most weed problems very quickly if used correctly.

These products typically are classified as either a “pre-emergent” weed control product (which target germinating seeds and are used to prevent weeds from sprouting) and “post-emergent” weed control (which target existing weeds, so are applied once you can see them above the soil). 

While weed control products should be selected very carefully, when used as directed they are extremely effective at controlling most kinds of weeds (there are some exceptions, which we’ll get into in our other blogs!). Most importantly, before you apply any weed control product, make sure you read the application and handling instructions on the label very carefully.

One of our favorites is a combined “pre- and post-emergent” weed control product. This also has long-lasting control, so it greatly reduces the number of applications needed, and let’s you focus on enjoying your lawn, not fighting weeds! (But, as always, please check the label carefully to make sure this works for your grass type!

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