Lawn Weeds 101
Posted on: 26 February 2021
Weeds can take over a lawn quickly if you aren't careful. Knowing how weeds get into the lawn and how to prevent it is key to growing lush grass.
Affects of a Weedy Lawn
Weedy lawns are unattractive, but that isn't the only issue with them. Weeds are deemed thus because they are opportunistic. They are often better at taking in moisture and nutrients compared to the grass or nearby desired landscape plants. This means the weeds compete with your desired plants and often win, so you will have to water and fertilize more to keep nearby trees, shrubs, and garden beds healthy.
Seeding and spreading are also a problem. Weeds will eventually take over any bare soil in your landscape, so you will constantly be fighting them not just in the lawn but also in garden beds and mulched areas. More weeds will also mean more pollen, which is a problem for allergy sufferers.
How Weed Invasion Occurs
Weed seeds usually blow into the yard, but being there isn't enough to cause a weed takeover. Weeds thrive when the lawn is already suffering. Times of drought often lead to a weed takeover, because many lawns have shallow-rooted grass and the longer roots of weeds can get to moisture more readily. Lack of nutrient availability has a similar effect since weeds can be better at taking in nutrients or survive on much fewer nutrients compared to the average lawn grass.
Bald or patchy lawns are especially prone to weeds, as these unwanted plants will quickly fill in bare areas. In fact, weeds will take over anywhere there is uncovered soil, such as in empty garden beds or along the edges of a lawn.
Preventative Care Techniques
Fortunately, you can prevent weed incursion with proper lawn care. Aerating the soil annually opens it up so that moisture and air more easily penetrate. This not only allows more moisture and nutrients into the soil, but the aeration also makes it easier for grass roots to penetrate deeply so that the lawn grass can better survive dry periods and out-compete weeds. Combine annual aeration with a regular fertilization regimen during the growing season for best effect.
Mowing the lawn so it isn't too low also encourages healthy grass and helps prevent bald spots in the lawn where weeds may invade. You may also need to overseed the lawn every year or two to keep it lush. Cover bare spots in garden beds with soil to keep weeds out, and have the lawn edged regularly as well. This way weeds won't blow into the lawn from neighboring areas.
Contact a lawn care service in your area for more help with lawn weeds.
To learn more, reach out to a company like Rock Solid Services LLC.
Share