Eco-Friendly Weed Control in Your Lawn

weeds are just plants out of place but before you reach for the weed killer take some time to uncover the cause of the problem when weeds take over the lawn it means the growing conditions or your lawn care are better suited to the weeds than your lawn grass start by adjusting your maintenance mow high and often removing no more than one-third the total height of the grass leaf clippings lie to add moisture nutrients and organic matter to the soil then fertilize with milorganite at least once or preferably on the holiday schedule to help your grass out compete the weed this can reduce your weed population by as much as 50 percent crabgrass is an annual weed that moves in during hot dry weather taller grass shades out this weed helping to keep it in check grow draw tolerant grasses if hot summers and lack of irrigation are the norm for your lawn manage crabgrass by using an organic pre-emergent with corn gluten as the active ingredient clover indicates a lack of nitrogen apply melorganite according to the holiday fertilization program to help your grass outgrow the clover creeping charlie also known as ground ivy violets and plantains usually get their foothold in the shade then infiltrate the rest of the lawn take back those shady spots by growing a more shade tolerant grass core aeration and proper care will also help your lawn grass out compete these weeds if weeds persist digging by hand is the most eco-friendly though not always the most practical control if you opt for chemical control spot treat dandelions creeping charlie and other broadleaf weeds with an organic broadleaf weed killer containing heda h-e-d-ta and fajeda f-e-h-e-d-t-a as an active ingredient moss can be found growing in heavy shade and compacted poorly drained acidic soil you can easily remove or kill the moss but it will return if the poor grass growing conditions are not corrected core aerate and top dress with compost to improve drainage only lime the soil if recommended by your soil test report over-liming can cause other problems in the landscape if the problem continues consider embracing the plant letting it spread and call it a moss garden once you find the source of the problem and correct it ongoing weed control will be easier on you and the environment you