Identifying and treating lawn weed – a beginner’s guide

Weeds are a nuisance. They are interesting plants because they can have a strong root system, can suffocate other plants, and can have creeping stems. In addition to that, we do notice that they can be drought tolerant. Now, in addition to being drought tolerant, if you have a perennial weed, they can be a nuisance regularly.

That is why whether you are dealing with a drought-tolerant weed or perennial weeds with an extensive root system, you want to ensure to have the right weed killer program to deal with these aspects.

Indeed, weeds in an otherwise beautiful lawn can detract from the overall look of the lawn. Now, controlling weeds is all about knowing what to use and having the correct tools on hand. n

If you are looking at weed control for your area and notice that you have to deal with weed seeds, perennial weeds, lawn weeds, and other issues in the early spring, or in the fall, or in other seasons, our professionals are here to ensure that we deal with these issues.

We will have a special program that deals with lawn weeds, seasonal fertilization, targeted weed control, and targeted pest control.

If you are looking for help with a healthy lawn in the early spring season and want to account for weed seeds, creeping stems, and plants with an extensive root system, reach out to our professionals at Ironwood Earthcare today.

What Tools Do I Need For a Healthy Lawn

If you are looking to become a true weed killer, then you would need to make sure that you have the right tools that can tackle perennial weeds. It is best to ensure that you have a healthy lawn by looking at elements that would act as broadleaf weed killers and other plants that produce seeds.

Quality does matter here. If you can get a battery-operated sprayer, it will definitely be worth the investment. Ultimately, a sprayer with a fan tip nozzle is what you need.

Surfactant is the next tool that is necessary. If necessary, baby shampoo can be used, but baby shampoo should not be used with certain herbicides. Surfactants can be purchased in large amounts and should last you at least five years.

Your primary method of weed control is a general broadleaf herbicide. It is important to get a 3-way blend and look for the ingredients 2,4D, Dicamba, and Mecoprop-p. It might be easier to get the concentrated versions in either the dry or liquid form. If you are in need of a general weed killer, do not get one that has Quinclorac or that states it controls crabgrass.

Specialist broadleaf weed control is used for broadleaf weeds that are hard to get rid of. This product has Triclopyr in it and should not be your only form of weed control.

The best weed control for lawns is Quinclorac. This is something that should be used at specific times throughout the year and should only be used when you need it. If you use it regularly, it could kill other things besides the weeds.

Tenacity is non-negotiable. This product is an absolute must-buy. The price is quite steep, but do not let that deter you because Tenacity is excellent at controlling grassy weeds, and it can function as a pre-emergent that is appropriate to use around new grass. This should last you a while. The round-up gel is not absolutely necessary, but it can be helpful.

It is important to be aware that Tenacity can turn grass white if it is applied heavily at seed down. This is not something that is seen with mature grass, fortunately.

Combining Tenacity and Quinclorac is a method used to make weeds susceptible to other herbicides by using stress. This stress makes it so that herbicides can work better.

A product with Quinclorac and Sulfentrazone is great for sedge control.

If you noticed, when it comes to perennial weed matters other plants that can serve as a nuisance, there is quite a bit of product that you would want to think about to be a true weed killer. You may think about dense mats that snuff out other plants. Then you would want to look at insect pests, invasive weeds, weed blooms, garden weeds, ground ivy, and a wide variety of plants that can resist your regimen.

There is quite a bit to think about here when it comes to the application, the right products, and the times to do so. It can be a bit overwhelming. That is why more people reach out to the professionals at Ironwood Earthcare for their shallow-rooted weeds, their grassy weed, and general common weeds in the Denver and Aurora area.

What Other Information Do I Need with Individual Weeds?

You need to know your weather for the next 3 days. This is because weather plays a huge role in the growth of weeds. Knowing your temperature can mean that you conduct an application when the weeds are thriving.

The application should be applied 1-2 days after the lawn has been mowed when the temperature is over 65 degrees and lower than 85 degrees.

What About Stubborn Weeds That Just Will Not Budge?

The aforementioned methods with 1 application should control a large amount, 80%, of broadleaf weeds. To ensure success, use a surfactant, a fan tip nozzle, and under no condition should you apply it if there is even a slight chance of rain in 24 hours.

For the weeds that are stubborn, you will do an application, then wait about 15 days (about 2 weeks) and conduct an application of herbicide then use a surfactant and a fan tip nozzle. You will then check on the weeds after about a week. If you do not see the weeds decreasing, then one more application of general broadleaf herbicide should be used.

In addition to applying more broadleaf herbicide, you can also use Tenacity. It is important to remember that Tenacity takes up to 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) for results to show. Depending on the results at the 20-day mark, either reapply Tenacity or use Quinclorac. This works on these types of grass: Bentgrass, Orchard Grass, wild fescue, and Johnson Grass. When utilizing Tenacity, it is vital to use it in early spring.

The round-up gel should be the last thing to try. When applying this, it is crucial to be precise and only applies it to the blades of grass.

Prevent Weeds the Right Way with Patience

This process can take a while to get used to. You will figure out what works for your yard and what is not worth purchasing quickly. You will pick up tips that will help you be efficient with your time and money. For example, metsulfuron-methyl should not be used on cool-season turf because it will kill cool-season grass at high rates. It can be frustrating to try to kill weeds but end up unintentionally killing other things on your lawn.

Knowing the spots that your weeds are prone to grow in can help you with application in the future. This is also beneficial because runoff and overspray are potential things that can occur with each application. Knowing where to concentrate helps to minimize the chances of these things happening.

If you have pets and kids, ensure that they do not play on the grass or ingest the grass until after 6 hours have passed. With persistence and patience, your lawn will be weed-free.

Remove Weeds with IronWood Earthcare Today

Ironwood Earthcare specializes in state-of-the-industry and science-based practices to maintain your lawn health.  Our lawn care team of highly trained specialists is driven by a passion for healthy lawns in Denver’s challenging climate.

Why choose Ironwood Earthcare to care for your lawn?

  • We have a team of highly trained and certified arborists with a specialty in lawn care.
  • We will provide consistent and customized services that are informed by advanced science-based trends.
  • We will take care of your lawn’s health and offer the necessary guidance to ensure that it stays in pristine condition.
  • We collaborate with our customers to attain an elegant lawn that gives all-year-round health and beauty.

Our Expert Lawn Health Care Services Include: 

  • Seasonal fertilization
  • Targeted weed control
  • Targeted pest control

 

Contact Ironwood Earthcare at 303-366-3020 today to schedule a free estimate for your lawn health care!

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