Are you noticing weeds cropping up on your lawn? You might hand-pull some weeds, a safe and effective option. Or head straight for a weed killer to eliminate these unwanted plants. Weed killers or herbicides are made with chemicals that can be harmful to people, wildlife, and the environment. There are several factors to consider before you start applying herbicides, including the preferred time of year. After all, timing is everything so it’s important to know when to apply weed killer to a lawn.
We spoke to two lawn experts about when to apply weed killer to the lawn, alternatives to using a herbicide and why following best lawn maintenance practices, including proper mowing and watering are the best ways to avoid weeds from germinating in the first place.
When To Apply Weed Killers
Applying weed killers to your lawn should be done at a specific season. The type of weed—annual or perennial—serves as a guide on when to take action. “Identification of the weed will help you determine the timing of weed removal before flowering and seed production,” says Teresa Watkins, host of syndicated iHeart garden radio show, Better Lawns and Gardens on WFLA-Orlando, landscape designer/owner of Sustainable Horticultural Environments.
For perennial weeds, it’s best to apply a weed killer when the weather begins to cool down after the intensity of summer. “If you are going to use a control product, whether it be organic or chemical-based, fall is the best time of year to control perennial weeds,” says John Cannon, NaturaLawn of America’s Franchise Owner, Charlotte, North Carolina. The reason has to do with how plants take in nutrients at this time of year, making it more effective. “In the fall, plants that are going dormant are pulling nutrients into their root system rather than pushing them out to the leaves so any control products will be pulled into the root zone faster during this time of year,” says Cannon.
If you have annual weeds, spring is the best time to control them, he says.
Why You Should Rethink Weed Killers
Herbicides are made of strong chemicals that can be harmful to humans, animals, insects, and the surrounding area. “A few of the most common ones are glyphosate-based herbicides, like Round-Up, as well as products containing 2,4-D, which has been linked to cancer in dogs and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in children,” says Cannon.
Not only do they contain toxic ingredients, but herbicides also need to be applied often rather than serve as a one-time solution.”These chemical-based controls will never be a long-term solution for a weed problem, and they create other environmental issues by contaminating our groundwater, lakes and streams,” says Cannon. Once you start using herbicides, it’s a never-ending cycle of spending money on products and spending time applying it to your lawn, especially when weeds can be managed in a better, easier, and healthier way. Chemical weed controls can lose their effectiveness in killing weeds, too, so instead of finding a solution to having fewer weeds, more problems to tackle could be created. “Over time, the weeds in your lawn may even develop pesticide resistance or immunity if overused,” he says.
Chemicals leach into the soil which will affect your lawn and garden. Healthy soil has microorganisms and fungi that help plants grow and thrive but using herbicides has the opposite effect. “Pesticides can also be damaging to the beneficial organisms in the soil that we call the ‘good guy organisms [that] naturally help to reduce other unwanted problems like turf disease,” Cannon says. One small issue—getting rid of weeds—can become a bigger issues that can affect your landscape. According to Watkins, “The overuse or misuse of any chemical product will lead to more problems in the landscape.”
Before you opt for a chemical weed killer, consider alternatives that are less damaging to the environment, garden, lawn, and your wallet. Better yet, dedicate time to managing your lawn and fewer weeds will germinate in the first place.
Why Maintaining A Lawn Prevents Weeds
The best way to prevent weeds is by maintaining the lawn so weeds don’t have a chance to grow. “Understanding how to prevent weeds with proper maintenance will be more efficient than trying to get rid of weeds with chemicals,” says Watkins. “If the lawn is managed correctly, there is less chance of weeds getting established.”
Prevention saves you money on buying unnecessary products and the time and effort required to apply them. “If your plan is to control weeds by spraying pesticides, you will be doing so for the rest of your life,” says Cannon. Grow a lawn where weeds won’t be able to compete for the same resources to minimize weeds from sprouting. Weeds are simply ‘a plant out of place’ that need the same resources— sunlight, water, soil and airflow to grow. “To truly defeat weeds, you need to choke them out with a dense, healthy lawn which you can help to foster through proper watering and mowing practices,” says Cannon. “Weed control is all about competition as a healthy and properly cared for lawn will make it much harder for these pesky weeds to take hold,” he says.
Mowing
The type of turf provides guidance on how much to cut the grass each time you mow. If you trim too much or too little, the grass can be harmed and leave it more vulnerable. Two easy ways to ensure the grass is mowed properly is, according to Cannon, to know the turf type and how much to mow and use a sharp mower blade to avoid tears or rips, which are basically open wounds on the plant. When leaf blades aren’t cut properly it weakens the lawn.
Watering
Watering too frequently can affect the root system and encourage weeds. Some weeds have shallow root systems and when a lawn is watered often it can help weeds grow and affect how your grass roots grow, too. “Many annual weeds have very shallow root systems so frequent or shallow watering not only keeps the moisture where the weed roots are but also promotes a shallow root system for your turf grass,” says Cannon. Turf with a shallow root system in hot weather can cause its demise. “If you have a shallow root system, the lawn will start to die out from drought stress even if you water daily,” he says. “This becomes a larger issue, especially in the south as summer hits.”
Knowing how much water the lawn needs and how often will avoid creating a perfect haven for weeds to grow in the grass. “Watering correctly will ensure a healthy root system that helps maintain the turf,” says Watkins.
Check For Weeds
Prevention is key. The easiest way to get rid of weeds is before they start germinating and becoming established. Check the lawn and monitor for any unwanted plants sharing space in the grass. “Walking your yard on a weekly basis will help spot the weeds before they take over and a stronger herbicide is warranted,” says Watkins. Mowing the weeds can reduce them from spreading. “If you do have weeds growing, mow them before they develop flowers and go to seed and spread,”she adds.
Tips For Applying Weed Killers
If you choose to use a weed killer, follow these guidelines and tips.
Avoid Windy Days
Choose a day without wind to apply a weed killer. “Avoid applying herbicides on windy days to minimize drift onto other plants, pets, or people,” says Cannon.
Read the Label
Whether you use a chemical-based herbicide or a non-toxic option, read the label to know exactly how to apply it and protect yourself. “That label will list all the safety precautions along with PPE (personal protective equipment) that needs to be worn when working with the product,” says Cannon. These are strong chemical products that can have negative implications if not used correctly. “Not following the labeled instructions can cause long-term serious illnesses or even death to humans and animals along with long-lasting environmental damage,” says Cannon.
Avoid the Area
The label may state you need to wear protective gear when handling and applying the product. That is a good indicator that the product is harmful. After applying, avoid the area until it’s dry and there is less risk from exposure. “Keep pets and children away from treated areas until the product has fully dried or settled,” says Cannon.
Comments are closed.