Yard guides / Problems and fixes
Weeds: prevent first, then spot-treat
A thick lawn is the best weed control. Here's the rest.
Weeds move into thin, stressed lawns. Mowing high, watering deeply and feeding at the right time prevent most of them. When you do use a product, timing and the label matter most.
Crabgrass and other annual grassy weeds
Crabgrass sprouts from seed in spring when soil warms to about 55°F for several days. A pre-emergent product applied before then stops seeds sprouting. Many people use forsythia blooming as a reminder. It won't kill crabgrass that's already up.
Broadleaf weeds (dandelion, clover, plantain)
- Pull young dandelions with a weeding tool, getting most of the root
- Spot-treat with a broadleaf product labeled for your grass type rather than spraying the whole lawn
- Fall is often the most effective time to treat perennial broadleaf weeds
- Clover fixes nitrogen; many people now happily leave it
Read the label
- Check it's labeled for your grass type: some products damage St. Augustine or centipede
- Note temperature limits, rain-free periods and reseeding intervals
- Keep children and pets off as the label directs
For pesticides, the label is the law. Follow it exactly. Reliable Service Crew isn't paid by any brand or lawn company.