Lawn Weed

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Despite your best efforts to remove all possible traces of weed before either sowing the grass seed or laying the turf, its inevitable that at some point your lawn will have a weed problem. It may be a minor incursion of clover or dandelion or a more painful thistle problem, but either way you want rid. Read on to find out how.

Tips for Removing Lawn Weeds

• The key thing to remember is that you can't expect to apply some form of weed killer at the beginning of the season (Feb-Apr) and for it to keep your lawn weed free until late Autumn.

• Large weeds such as dandelion or thistle can be removed using a hand fork. Providing they aren't too big only a small hole should be left which will be re-covered by the natural growth of the lawn.

• Weeds that tend to spread are harder to dig out and may need an application of weed killer.

• Good lawn weed killers can be purchased at all good DIY and Gardening centres.

• They come in either a concentrated liquid form which is diluted and applied via a watering can or in pellet form which is sowed onto the existing lawn.

• Follow the instructions on the bottle or packet to the letter. Do not assume that adding twice as much will make it work twice as well. It may mean that all new growth in your lawn stops for 2 months - and that doesn't mean you won't have to cut it! It just means that any bare patches that appear through wear and tear will not be covered by new growth.

• If in a liquid form avoid applying it in breezy conditions as accidental spraying of flowers or vegetables may harm them.

• Try and apply the weed killer during an extended patch of dry weather. It takes time for the weed killer to be absorbed by the weeds and heavy rain can wash it away.

• Allow a few days after the weed killer has been applied for it to soak into the weed before you get the lawn mower out- ideally a week. Some of the weed killers are absorbed through the leaves of the weed and some through the roots. If you chop the head off too soon the root may re-grow it.

• Moss can be controlled through a combination of good aeration (to stop the ground becoming waterlogged) and application of either a moss killer (at either the beginning or end of the season) or a lawn sand. Then use a lawn rake to remove dead moss and apply a good fertilizer to aid the lawn in repairing the damage.

• A good bet for the amateur gardener with little time on their hands is a combination 'weed and feed' solution. One application of this will fertilize your lawn and reduce or eliminate weeds for the next 30-60 days.

• You usually have to re-apply the weed killer or weed and feed after 6 weeks, but see the specific instructions of the weed killer for more details.

• In a last ditch attempt to remove a persistent patch of weeds the whole area can be dug out and either replaced using fresh turf or re-sown. using seed.

• Remember the overuse of weed killers may damage the environment and your health. Treat them with the respect due for the dangerous chemicals that they are and be, in particular, careful of any pets or children who may use the lawn you are treating for weeds.

Controlling Lawn Weeds