Natural Weed Management in Residential Lawns

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You may not need chemicals. Preventative lawn care can often prevent weeds from taking over your lawn. Researchers at the University of California, Davis report that proper watering, efficient mowing, aeration, and routine de-thatching can create healthy lawn conditions so your grass naturally monopolizes the sunlight, water, and nutrients that weeds need to survive.

Davis researchers have identified specific weeds that invade lawns by grass type, prescribing routine lawn care that can remedy the cause, rather than treat the symptoms. Knowing specific weed cycles, researchers say, can be critical in managing outbreaks. For example, you should pull perennials out by the root, rather than simply lopping off the flowers.

Ensuring Optimal Lawn Care

Weeds are grouped by their cultivation cycles: annual, biennial, and perennial. Even if you take adequate care of your lawn, the weeds can emerge. Then it's up to you to take immediate action to prevent flowing and the spread of spores. Here are some the typical weed types and the conditions that breed outbreaks:

• Dandelions
  The cause: Dead or thin spots in the lawn carpet.

The remedy: Hand-pull the weed and return to consistent watering, mowing, and de-thatching practice.

• Nutsedge
  The cause: Wet conditions, poor drainage.

The remedy: water more deeply, but less frequently. Hand-pull weeds.

• Crabgrass
• The cause: Scalping (mowing grass too close to the soil) or over-watering.

The remedy: Mow to recommended height for your lawn type and reduce watering schedule.

• Plantains
  The cause: Too much shade, over-watering, compacted soils.

The remedy: Reduce watering schedule, aerate the soil, and overseed with shade-tolerant grass.

• White Clover

The cause: Depletion of nitrogen in the soil.

The remedy: Apply proper balanced, organic nitrogen-based fertilizer and water.

With a little know-how, you should be able to take care of your weed problem and have your lawn looking beautiful in no time.

Source

University of California, Davis

About the Author

Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.