weeds such as
ivy), black medic,
creeping speedwell, spurge and prostrate knotweed are extremely
difficult to control in the home lawn. Many other common weeds will also respond
to the following control alternatives.
1.Grow a healthy lawn. Thick, vigorous turf will compete well
with most weeds. Regular fertilizing and irrigation will help the desired
turfgrasses to for a dense stand. This type of growth helps to prevent
the establishment of many weeds, however, the tough weeds listed above
will generally thrive also.
Mow taller. Perhaps the single most important technique for
lawn weed control is to mow at a height of 2½
to 3 inches. This encourages the plant to form a deeper root system and
shades the ground to discourage seed germination by annual weeds.
Hand weeding. Although tedious, hand weeding of small numbers
of weed plants may be effective in minimizing the problem. However, this
will not totally eliminate the plant and must be done periodically in the
spring and fall.
Chemical Controls. Many common weeds such as dandelions will
be effectively treated with 2,4-D contained in products such as Weed-B-Gone
and others. Unfortunately, the difficult weeds listed above generally do
not respond to this type of treatment.
Timing - Most effective weed control will
occur during the cool months of the spring or the fall. Many of the weeds
are "cool season" plants and expand their root systems during these times.
The heat of the summer is the most difficult time to control lawn weeds.
In non-irrigated lawns, the plants "tighten up" during the summer and do
not absorb herbicides well.
For many of these weeds, it is best to treat when they are in bloom
or following the first frost in the fall. These are times when they seem
to absorb more of the chemical herbicide into their systems.
TriMec - This is an herbicide which contains 3 different herbicides.
It is sold under many brand names and often has a label that says, "For
difficult to control broadleaf weeds." The ingredients usually consist
of 2,4-D + Dicamba + Mecoprop. Be careful using any product with Dicamba
in the root zone of small trees and
shrubs. Follow the label instructions
Weed-B-Gone Purple Label
- In tests at Michigan State
University, this herbicide worked well against tough lawn weeds when
applied in early October.
Commercial Lawn Care - Lawn care companies may have access
to other herbicides which might be effective against these tough weeds.