Weeds developing on the lawn are a problem that affects many gardens. Fortunately, there are many ways to help in the fight against unwanted plants. Choosing the right method depends on many factors: the lawn area, your budget, and the time you can devote to garden work. Remember, however, that the best lawn weed killer is prevention. Properly carried out care, fertilising, mowing, and lawn watering will certainly help the blades in the fight against unwanted guests. Find out how to get rid of weeds!
If weeds have appeared on your lawn, it may mean that the grass is weakened and lacks the right conditions for development. However, close observation and correct identification of the intruders will help you determine what problems your lawn is facing. For example, the presence of white clover or ribwort plantain indicates a nitrogen deficiency in the soil, while common chickweed indicates overly compacted ground. Therefore, care and fertilising are the keys to ensuring weeds do not appear on your lawn. What if they do appear in the garden?
Manual removal
This is the most labour-intensive method, although it can bring results on a small area. For some weed species that do not tolerate frequent cutting, regular mowing may help, but pulling them out by the roots will be much more effective. However, this can cause great difficulty, especially in the case of plants with a deep root system. Therefore, it is best to start pulling weeds after rain or after heavy lawn watering, when the water softens and loosens the soil. It is best to use special weed cutters or weed pullers for assistance.
Home-made preparations
More and more people are interested in home methods for weeds. Preparing a preparation yourself from products available in the flat is certainly a budget option, but also an ecological one. Popular lawn weed killers are vinegar-based mixtures. A spray of this type can be prepared from a litre of water, a cup of vinegar, and half a cup of salt (vinegar to water ratio 1:4). You can also mix vinegar with water in a 2:1 ratio, omitting the salt. The most effective results will be achieved if done before the start of the season, when the weeds have not yet managed to flower. However, it should be remembered that vinegar can also destroy other plants, so use it carefully so that it does not get onto the grass or other cultivated plants.
Ecological sprays
An option just as environmentally friendly as vinegar-based mixtures are ready-made ecological weeders and sprays. The formulas of eco lawn weed killers are based on natural substances, such as acids (e.g. acetic or pelargonic) or concentrated plant extracts. However, you should check whether ecological herbicides have the appropriate certificates – the word “bio” on the label does not guarantee that a given product is certified! Ecological products can be found on the list of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Herbicides for weeds
When ecological methods do not meet your expectations, you can reach for herbicides. This is an effective method, especially on large areas. Most products are safe for people and animals, provided, of course, that safety measures are followed. However, after the treatment, use of the lawn should be restricted for a certain time. After applying weed killers, the grass should not be mown for about 3 days to allow the preparation time to work. Before using a specific product, you should first identify the plant and determine whether it is classified as a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous weed. Based on this, you will choose the appropriate weed killer.
We advise against using non-selective products with a total effect, such as Roundup. This is a product that destroys practically all plants. Its active substance is glyphosate, around which much controversy has arisen.
Professional treatments
If your lawn has been attacked by exceptionally stubborn weeds, you can order a lawn regeneration service. We will help you not only get rid of unwanted plants, but also comprehensively take care of the turf, performing all maintenance treatments such as aeration, scarification, sanding, or overseeding. Thanks to this, you will not only save a huge amount of time but also achieve a lawn as beautiful as a golf course. If you are interested in our offer, contact us!