Nobody likes weeds. They are an unwelcome invader that can really detract from the overall look of your lawn. Of course, it’s no surprise that weeds can be difficult to get rid of. There are many weed varieties in our area that are aggressive growers and persist in continually coming back.
While weeds can be incredibly frustrating, there are solutions for homeowners in North Texas.
Most importantly, the best defense against weeds is to prevent them in the first place. That’s why we’ve rounded up some pros tips on how to prevent weeds in the lawn.
Using pre-emergent applications is one of the best ways to prevent lawn weeds from growing in the first place. Pre-emergents work by creating a barrier that prevents weeds from germinating.
Specialized pre-emergent products, such as those intended for crabgrass, work really well to prevent the majority of weeds. But it won’t prevent everything.
Breaks in the barrier such as those caused by mowing/trimming, digging, dryness or cracking, or excessive rainfall can lead to breakthrough weed growth.
For the weeds that breakthrough that barrier, post-emergent controls work well to knock back that growth. Of course, post-emergent controls can be more expensive so they are best utilized when there is only minimal weed growth.
If you haven’t done anything to prevent lawn weeds, and your yard is ravaged with them, you might want to discuss your best course of action with a lawn care professional.
A lot of people don’t realize how much of an impact their mowing and edging habits can have on their lawn’s overall health. But any time that you put your lawn under stress due to improper habits, you make it more prone to weeds.
For one, this means maintaining the proper mowing height.
The height at which you mow grass will depend on the turf variety. Bermudagrass should be mowed to 1 to 2 inches; St. Augustine grass, 2.5 to 3.5 inches; and Zoysia grass, 1.5 to 3 inches. When mowing, avoid taking off more than 1/3 of the grass blade in a single pass as this puts a lot of stress on the lawn.
In addition, don’t scalp the edges of your walkways or driveways when edging. This can create thin areas where opportunistic weeds will creep in.
The number one deterrent for weeds is a thick and healthy lawn. That’s because a thick lawn makes it difficult for weeds to grow and thrive. They’ll be choked out by your healthy turf.
But it is difficult to achieve a thick and thriving lawn without proper fertility. Unfortunately, most lawns are naturally lacking nutrients that they need to thrive. With lawn fertilization, you can help promote a thick lawn that will challenge weed growth.
When it comes to how to prevent weeds from growing in the lawn, it’s important that you’re addressing potential problems such as lawn disease or insects, both of which can put stress on your lawn and create bare spots where weeds will creep in.
Better yet, a lawn care program that takes preventative measures to avoid these problems in the first place will ensure that your lawn maintains optimal health.
In order for your grass to grow thick and healthy (and naturally defend itself against weeds) it needs water. But it’s possible your lawn may not be receiving enough. This is a common concern in Texas. It’s important to make sure that your irrigation system is functioning optimally.
When it comes to truly winning the battle against weeds, the best offense is a good defense. That means that taking lots of measures to help prevent weed growth in the first place (while also promoting a thick and healthy turf) will help set you up for success. This includes a combination of both cultural practices and professional applications of weed control products.
Most importantly, it’s essential that you hire a company that knows what they’re doing. Not all lawn care services in the Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX area are proactive with their approach to prevent lawn weeds. Instead, they’ll just spray everything once it pops up. But this really is not the ideal approach.
What you really want is a company that will form a partnership with you to ensure that all of the proper steps are being taken on your property. This will help you achieve the best possible results.
Ready to get rid of weeds and have a thick and thriving lawn at your Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX home? Get a free quote and get ready to enjoy the best lawn on the block!
