Now that spring is in full swing, plants, grass, and weeds are growing. While you want the first two to thrive, weeds leave something to be desired. Here are some post-emergent weed control options to consider.

When Pre-Emergent Weed Control Didn’t Work

You knew they were coming. You may have even tried to prevent the spread of weeds by laying down a weed barrier, mulch, and treating with pre-emergent weed control products. But, surprise! A few popped up anyway. Sure, there may be some desirable weeds, especially if you want to attract early pollinators, but if you’re not careful, these invasive plants can end up taking over your lawn and garden. Here are some tips on what to do now.

Post-Emergent Weed Control

If you start to see weeds, chances are their seeds had already germinated before any preventative measures were carried out. They could even have grown on top of barriers or been carried in by birds, wind, and rain. But you still have options.

1. Try pulling out small areas or young weeds by hand. Make sure you remove the whole root or they’ll simply grow back. Better yet, pull weeds before they flower and set more seeds.
2. Use specially designed tools like a hoe or a weed puller to effectively remove weeds. Be careful not to damage tree roots or surrounding desirable plants.
3. Regularly inspect your garden beds and tree bases for weeds and remove them promptly to prevent them from spreading.
4. Maintain the health of your lawn with regular mowing, watering, and bare spot repair. Thick, healthy grass can outcompete weeds for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
5. Properly space plants in your garden to reduce the amount of bare soil available for weeds to grow.
6. Test soil to make sure it contains the right amount of nutrients and pH levels. Healthy soil can help desirable plants grow strong and outcompete weeds.
7. Use herbicides if absolutely necessary. Selective herbicides target specific types of weeds and are less harmful to surrounding plants.

Try a combination of these methods for more effective results. Remember, the lawn specialists at Cardinal Lawns are always available for expert advice on how to help get rid of weeds, prevent their return, and maintain your lawn all year. Contact 614-808-4446 for help getting your lawn and garden back in shape this season.