Lawn Weed Management: How To Control Weeds Naturally And Safely
Written by Irina Webb
How tolerant are you to weeds? They seem to be a fact of life in every lawn, no matter how carefully it’s maintained. Even the most experienced landscapers and dedicated homeowners will encounter persistent weeds invading their grass. Whether you’re growing cool season grasses or warm season grasses, controlling weeds is often one of the toughest and most time-consuming parts of lawn care.
However, don’t lose heart! The good news is that with proper site preparation, ongoing lawn maintenance, and smart weed management practices, you can keep weeds in check and promote a healthy lawn. In this post, I am diving deep into lawn weed management, discussing safe and effective ways to remove weeds, products you can trust, and essential tips to protect your lawn, your family, and the environment.
What Is Lawn Weed Management?
To begin with, lawn weed management refers to the comprehensive process of identifying, preventing, and controlling weeds in your lawn to support the healthy growth of turfgrass (source). This process includes cultural practices such as:
- maintaining the proper mowing height
- ensuring your lawn has a strong root system, and
- using environmentally conscious products when necessary.
Ultimately, the goal of weed management is to reduce the competition weeds pose for essential resources like water, light, and nutrients. With fewer weed seed germinations and less room for broadleaf weeds or perennial weeds to take hold, your grass stands a better chance of thriving.
Importantly, by managing weeds effectively, you not only improve your lawn’s appearance but also reduce the need for chemical herbicide application. In fact, healthy grass with a robust root system can often outcompete many types of weeds, preventing them from taking over in the first place.
What Weeds Can Teach You About Your Soil
As it happens, weeds indicate specific soil conditions pointing to issues like compaction, low fertility, poor drainage, or nutrient imbalances. Here are some common lawn weeds and what they may reveal about your soil:
- Clover: drought-tolerant, thrives in nitrogen-poor or compacted soil; helps fix nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil naturally.
- Dandelion: indicates poor soil structure or low organic matter; signals compacted soil, low calcium, and high potassium. Consider aerating your lawn and adding compost to improve your soil’s health.
- Plantain: grows in compacted, poorly drained, and often acidic soils. Improve conditions by aerating and adding organic matter. A soil test can guide pH adjustments.
- Chickweed: thrives in fertile, moist, compacted soil with excess nitrogen. To discourage chickweed, enhance drainage, reduce over-fertilization, and maintain mowing routines.
- Crabgrass: appears where turf is thin, and soil is dry or low in fertility. It often grows in full sun and indicates a need for overseeding, deeper watering, and improved soil nutrients.
- Thistle: indicates dry, compacted soil with low fertility. Aerate and increase organic matter with compost. Promoting healthy grass can help crowd out thistle over time. (source and source)
Bottom line: Weeds’ presence offers clues to what’s happening beneath the surface. Therefore, recognizing patterns in the types of weeds growing in your lawn can help you fine-tune your lawn care practices—whether that means adjusting your mowing height, improving soil structure, or choosing the right grasses for your area. Learn more in my blog post How To Maintain Your Lawn.
How To Safely Remove Weeds From Lawn
Some ways to safely remove weeds from your lawn include:
- hand-pulling and digging out weeds
- mulching lawn borders
- using corn gluten meal
- maintaining proper mowing height (source and source).
Hand-Pulling And Digging Out Weeds
Though old-fashioned, this method is one of the safest ways to remove weeds, especially when they’re still young. Use a hand tool or a dandelion weeder to get the entire root system out so the weed doesn’t grow back. This is particularly effective for broadleaf weeds and other target weeds that are isolated or in small numbers.
While it can be labor-intensive, hand-pulling doesn’t disturb nearby grass and avoids the need for herbicide application.
Mulching Lawn Borders
Next, mulching can help suppress weed germination along the borders of your lawn or around garden beds. Use organic mulch like wood chips or straw to block sunlight, depriving weed seeds of the light they need to produce seed and grow.
Mulch not only aids in controlling weeds but also enriches the soil, making it a win-win for your landscape.
Using Corn Gluten Meal
Further, corn gluten meal is a natural way to apply preemergence herbicides without chemicals. It works by inhibiting weed germination, making it ideal for lawns with cool season grasses and warm season grasses alike.
Apply it early in the season—before weeds start to emerge—for best results. While it doesn’t kill existing weeds, it can reduce the emergence of weed seed and fits well into an organic lawn care strategy.
Maintaining Proper Mowing Height
Lastly, keeping your grass at the correct mowing height helps it develop a stronger root system and shade out emerging weeds. Different cool season grasses and warm season grasses have optimal mowing heights, so adjust your mower settings accordingly.
Mowing too short weakens your grass and gives weeds more room to thrive.
Download The Free Guide!
5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home
Join our informed consumer community and get our free guide the “5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home”.
Is There A Safe Weed Killer For Lawns?
Yes, there are safe weed killers for lawns that target specific types of weeds without harming your grass. These selective herbicides are formulated to target broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover without damaging cool season grasses or warm season grasses.
Natural and organic weed killers use ingredients like iron, vinegar, or clove oil, which can be safer for people, pets, and the environment. However, they are typically contact herbicides—they kill only what they touch and may require multiple applications to be effectively controlled.
Synthetic selective herbicides can also be safe when used properly, meaning they are applied according to label directions, at the right time of year, and in the correct amounts of herbicide.
What Are The Best Safe Weed Killer For Lawns?
A great resource to find a safe weed killer is Products Compatible with Organic Landscape Management by Beyond Pesticides. Let’s look at some examples:
- Dr. Earth Final Stop Weed & Grass Killer
- A.D.I.O.S. Organic Herbicide
- EcoBlend Weed & Grass Burndown
Dr. Earth Final Stop Weed & Grass Killer
First, Dr. Earth’s formula uses natural ingredients such as cinnamon essential oil and clove essential oil. It’s non-selective, so while it will kill target weeds, it can also harm grass if sprayed carelessly. It’s OMRI listed (Organic Materials Review Institute), which makes it suitable for organic gardening.
Safe for use around children and pets once dry, this product works best on young weeds and must be applied directly to the leaves.
A.D.I.O.S. Organic Herbicide
Second, A.D.I.O.S. is a selective, non-toxic weed killer safe for cool season grasses and warm season grasses alike. It uses a proprietary blend of minerals that target broadleaf weeds while leaving grass untouched.
It’s also OMRI listed and suitable for organic gardening. This product is a great choice if you want something safe, effective, and easy to apply.
EcoBlend Weed & Grass Burndown
Finally, EcoBlend Weed & Grass Burndown is an organic, non-selective herbicide designed to eliminate broadleaf weeds, grasses, and other unwanted vegetation without relying on harsh synthetic chemicals. Made from a blend of essential oils and natural fatty acids, it works by quickly dehydrating and breaking down plant tissue on contact. It’s OMRI listed and is ideal for spot-treating areas like sidewalk cracks, fence lines, or other non-lawn spaces.
While it’s not suitable for use across your whole lawn due to its non-selective nature, it’s a safer alternative for targeted weed management, especially when children or pets are nearby. EcoBlend starts working within hours of applying herbicides, making it a fast-acting option that aligns with organic gardening principles.
How Often Can You Apply Weed Killer To Your Lawn?
The frequency of applying herbicides depends on the product and the types of weeds you’re targeting. For most selective herbicides, you can apply them once every 30–45 days during the growing season, as needed.
However, overuse can damage your lawn and the environment. Be sure to follow product instructions carefully and only reapply when target weeds are not effectively controlled.
When you apply preemergence herbicides, timing is critical—typically in early spring or fall depending on whether you’re managing cool season grasses or warm season grasses. Avoid exceeding the recommended amounts of herbicide, as this can lead to runoff and unintended harm.
Conclusion: Is Lawn Weed Management About Killing Weeds?
Lawn Weed Management Is Not About Applying Weed Killers—It’s About Creating Conditions That Allow Your Grass To Thrive While Suppressing Weed Seed Germination.
In conclusion, whether you’re dealing with broadleaf weeds, perennial weeds, or a sudden burst of crabgrass, the right combination of cultural practices and targeted products can make a world of difference.
By choosing safe methods and products, maintaining the right mowing height, and ensuring a healthy root system, you’ll set your lawn up for long-term success. A little extra attention to your lawn now can save you hours of weed-pulling—and frustration—later. Turn to my blog post How To Maintain Your Lawn for help and ideas on lawn maintenance.
If you have any personal experience with these products or methods, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!
You’re welcome to browse the I Read Labels For You blog for helpful insights on living a low-tox lifestyle. Be sure to visit my main shop and Amazon store, and explore my simple, practical e-books designed to help you make informed, healthier choices. Want more support? Get access to my email updates to get exclusive content, expert tips, and special offers delivered right to your inbox.
Download The Free Guide!
5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home
Join our informed consumer community and get our free guide the “5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home”.
Before commenting, please read our Comment Policy.