Removing Weeds, How To

Leo Lipsie
by Leo Lipsie

Our font yard is finished, the back is not. I is all dirt ... with weeds. The weeds grew last year, we had them all removed. Now it's spring and here they are, coming back with a vengeance. They're in thee just coming up stage, nice and small and green.


I am asking for some advice in getting rid of the weeds, but not ruin the soil for grass?


Thank you


  9 answers
  • Nan W. Nan W. on Apr 16, 2020

    Leo: Check out the Scotts website. They may have the perfect Weed & Seed for your area!


    https://www.scotts.com/en-us/library/lawn-food/when-feed-greener-lawn

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 16, 2020

    This last weekend I mixed up a and filled a back pack sprayer with 1 gallon of white vinegar, 1 cup of salt and 1 tablespoon of Dawn. Spray in the morning on a sunny day. The sun will help cook the weeds. I reapply every few weeks. (seems like more often in mid spring and early summer). But we have about an acre so I might use a little more then most people.

  • William William on Apr 16, 2020

    Do not use vinegar, salt, or liquid soap. It will kill everything and the soil will be contaminated for any growth. I use Spectracide Weed and Feed in the hose end spray bottle to kill lawn weeds and fertilize the grass. You can use it to kill the weeds and it will actually fertilize the soil ready for seed or sod. You should see kill results in a few days.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Apr 16, 2020

    Overseed with clover! Stays green and low and doesn’t need fertilizer.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 16, 2020

    Go ahead and plant a choking grass seed. You can add weed & feed which will help to nourish the grass while getting rid of the weeds. Check with locals to see what would be the best grass for your area.

  • Hi Leo - The struggle is real, isn't it?!? This is the most effective all-natural weed killer DIY that we use. It's even been featured on Hometalk and pinned thousands of times! It's not to be used on your grass, but if you have them popping up in other areas. Hope this helps! Hugs, Holly

    https://pinkfortitude.com/weed-killer/

    PS - We have a FREE eBook with recipes for all of my homemade and all-natural cleaners. You can download it here --> https://pinkfortitude.com/thank#GreenClean

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Apr 17, 2020

    Hello. my lawn is infested with weeds too it is an ongoing war.

    Sometimes in certain situations people choose to leave with live within like in a rural situation or waterfront- sometimes chemicals can cause harm with their runoff. It is said that a weed is just a plant in the wrong place.


    Here is an overview of ideas to help control weeds.

    I hope this helps


    Prevent going to seed; hand pulls easily. Do not compost plants with seed heads.


    In Lawns

    • Cultural Practices
    • Maintain healthy, dense turf that can compete and prevent weed establishment.
    • Mechanical Management
    • Hand pulling or using an appropriate weeding tool are the primary means of mechanical weed control in lawns. This is a viable option at the beginning of an infestation and on young weeds. Hand pulling when the soil is moist makes the task easier. Weeds with tap roots like dandelions or have a basal rosette (leaves clustered close to the ground) like plantain are easier to pull than weeds such as Bermudagrass (wiregrass) or creeping Charlie (ground ivy) that spread with stolons or creeping stems that root along the ground.

    • Chemical Prevention/Treatment in Lawns
    • Herbicides should be used as a last resort because of the potential risks to people, animals, and the environment. Be aware of these precautions first.
    • Use a granular (apply with a spreader), selective, preemergent herbicide. Apply a preemergent without nitrogen fertilizer. Look for the active ingredient: Prodiamine (Barricade) or other preemergents labeled for crabgrass control. Apply in early spring (March) before it germinates. It germinates earlier than crabgrass so to prevent J. stiltgrass the preemergent needs to be applied a couple of weeks earlier than for crabgrass prevention.
    • Rainfall or irrigation is required to dissolve the herbicide which is then absorbed into the upper portion of the soil and forms a barrier which kills weed seedlings. Preemergent grass herbicides have residual activity that lasts for several weeks after application. High temperatures and rainfall will decrease the length of time they remain at sufficient concentration to be effective.

    • Tips for application:
    • If planning soil disturbance, such as aeration, do it before application.Apply prior to seed germination which begins, in early spring a couple of weeks before crabgrass seeds germinate.Water after application, according to label.A second application may be possible, usually 6-8 weeks later (see product label).Consult label for specific waiting period between application and overseeding.If Japanese stiltgrass is present in your lawn a postemergent herbicide labeled to control annual grass weeds like crabgrass can be used to spot treat young weeds. Herbicides do not work well on mature plants. Look for the active ingredient Fenoxaprop. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/lawn-herbicides


  • Annie Annie on Apr 30, 2020

    The best way is to plant something to crowd out the weeds. Try clover it works great and you don't have to mow.

    https://countrylivinginacariboovalley.com/plant-clover-for-the-bees/