Kill Weeds, Not Your Grass
There are many different methods of lawn weed control to keep your grass lush and green. You can choose from wet or dry applications, simple weed prevention to heavy growth eradication, even organic methods. Choosing weed killer for the lawn is also dependent on what type of vegetation you are dealing with. We'll help you identify the best weed killer for grass in your specific area.
How Do Weed Killers and Preventers Work?
Weed killers and weed preventers work to control unwanted growth at different stages of life. They can either kill existing plants or prevent them from appearing. Which option you will need depends on where the weed growth is and what type of weeds you have. We will explain below the four main ways that weed killers and prevention work.
Always refer to the manufacturer’s directions. Always keep weed killers and preventers away from the reach of children. When using lawn treatments or lawn care products, always follow package directions regarding proper clothing, protective equipment, application procedures and safety precautions. Use special caution when mixing weed killer and preventer concentrates.
Pre and Post-Emergence
Pre-emergence weed killers get into the soil and keep weeds from ever breaking the soil surface. The caveat is that they can also affect other nearby plants like flowers or grasses. Pre-emergent killers are best used when the chance of interaction with other plants is negligible and are applied 2-3 weeks before weeds will germinate.
Post-emergence killers are used when the offending growth has already appeared above the soil surface. There are also combination pre- and post-emergent weed killers that can kill existing weeds and then prevent them for returning within an extended time period.
Plant Selectivity
Selectivity refers to the types of plants that herbicides can target. If you have dandelions or crabgrass in your lawn and want to treat them without damaging the surrounding grass, then a weed killer specifically selective to those intruders would be your choice. If you want to kill everything in an area before attempting to clear it, then a non-selective herbicide is a better option.
Herbicidal Persistence
Herbal persistence refers to the period that the herbicides are active. Non-persistent treatments last for a short period of time, usually less than 3-4 months. Persistent herbicides last for longer periods, some potentially up to one year.
Translocation
Translocation is the method some herbicides use to work their way through a plant’s system. For example, a spray translocator weed killer would be absorbed by the leaves and then travel through to the roots, thereby killing the plant. There are also soil-based translocation herbicides that can kill weeds from the root system up.
What are the Types of Weed Control?
In selecting weed control, you will need to determine which kind will be the best for your situation. You will also need to consider what type of weeds you are trying to eradicate as well as the location they are invading. By answering these questions, you can settle on a course of action with your herbicides.
How Do Weed Preventers Work?
As we mentioned above, weed preventers are also known as pre-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergent weed killers are spread on the ground in weed prone areas before they have a chance to germinate. After sprinkling where weeds may spread, wet the area to allow the herbicide to soak into the soil and begin working on eradicating weeds before they have a chance to grow.
How Do Weed Killers Work?
Most commonly thought of weed killers are post emergent, or those that work after the weeds have broken the soil surface. These herbicides are available in both liquid and granule form for direct and lawn-wide coverage. This type of weed control comes in either selective or non-selective varieties. Selective means that the weed control is for specific types of weeds like dandelions, clover, crabgrass and chickweed that can be applied and not damage any surrounding plants and grass. Non-selective is for applying to areas that need a complete vegetation kill, as this weed killer will target all types of plants growing in the application area.
Natural Weed Control Options
Some might be hesitant to use weed killers with harsh chemicals to avoid contact with pets or children. Luckily, there are organic and natural weed control options. These are excellent choices to protect not only your environment but also people that may have allergic reactions and breathing problems. Check out our selection of child-friendly weed control products.
Can I Make a Homemade Weed Killer?
To avoid using toxic chemicals for weed control, there are several DIY weed killing options to use with only household items needed.
- Herbicidal soap made with white vinegar, salt and dish soap can be an effective weed killer.
- Rubbing alcohol diluted 2 tablespoons to a quart of water.
- Corn gluten meal can work on crabgrass.
- Boiling water applied directly to weeds.
How Do I Apply Weed Killer?
Applying weed killer will depend on the type that you decide is best for your situation. You can choose from spray bottles, jugs with spray wands, sprayer bottles with herbicide from concentrate, hose end spray bottles, and lawn spreaders to spread granules.
How often you need to apply weed control will depend on seasonal timing, the type of weeds your need to kill, and the amount of growth you have to get rid of. For example spraying weeds in your driveway may only take one application, but getting rid of crabgrass and dandelions may take a couple of treatments. Check the persistence of any method you might use to get the application schedule. Some weed killers claim to work in as few as 24 hours, while other treatments can take a few weeks to fully do the job.
If you are concerned about the health and safety of your children and pets, there are several natural and organic weed killers and prevention that are safe to use, avoiding the use of toxic chemicals. As with any type of lawn treatment, consult and follow the manufacturer’s directions and guidelines.
At Lowe’s you can find the proper weed herbicide for just about any problem you may encounter including crabgrass, chickweed, and nutsedge. We also have strong weed killers for dealing with poison ivy, vines, and even brush and heavy overgrowth. Come by today and find the best remedy for your weed issue.
More Information
We have more information on controlling weeds with our DIY articles: