Quick facts
- âWeedsâare invasive plants growing where you donât want them to
- They can also be considered wildflowers and are often beneficial to wildlife
- Digging out or raking out nuisance plants in your lawn is the best first step
- Regular lawn care will help to keep grass growing strongly,deterring unwanted plants
- If you decide to use lawn weedkiller, apply in spring or summer
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Are lawn âweedsâ a problem?
Although the term âweedâ is subjective, it is usually applied to invasive or unwanted plants that compete with the grass â clover, dandelions, daisies, buttercups andcoarse-leaved grassesare just some examples. âMany of these can survive regular mowing, spreading by seed or creeping stems, and they can easily get a foot-holdwhere the grass is patchy or growing poorly.
Often these plantsarenât a problem in small numbers, but if fast-spreading species start to take over your lawn, you may wish to reduce their numbers.
On the other hand, many of these so-called âweedsâ produce pretty flowers that attract pollinating insects. Sorather than aiming for a traditional, manicured, all-grass lawn, you could allow some or all of them to grow, creating a colourful,flower-rich lawn.
If youâd like to make your lawn and garden more wildlife friendly, check out the following guides:
Bees in your garden
Lawn and mini-meadow habitats
Wildlife in gardens
Also bear in mind that it takes time and repeated effort to get rid of these plants from a lawn, so you need to decide if itâs worth it, or whether you can live with them and appreciate their benefits.
If you choose to get rid of some or all of these plants, then spotting them early and removing them before they spread can prevent them becoming a major problem. Keeping your grass healthy and growing strongly will also help to stop unwantedplants getting established.
So regular lawn maintenance is crucial â see our guides tospring and summer lawn careandautumn lawn carefor full details. You can also find monthly lawn-care advice in our advice section, by clicking âthis monthâ.
Butif lawn weeds are a major problem for you, especially if certain fast-spreading species are taking over, then there are various steps you can take to keep them under control.
Non-chemical weed control
Regularlawn care and physically removing unwanted plants is always the best first step. You can then decide how many you remove, potentially keeping some, and only target selected plants if they are getting too numerous.
Try some or all of the following:
Regular lawn care â feeding, aerating and scarifying your lawn will encourage the grass to be more vigorous, so itâs more difficult for weeds to get established in the first place. See our lawn-care advice for full details
Remove rosette-type weeds, such as dandelions, daisies and plantains, usinga hand fork or weeding tool. There are various designs of weeders, including some that can be used from a standing position,so you need to find whichever suits you best. They usually aim to help you remove the long tap-root of plantssuch as dandelions â if the root is left behind, the plant can often re-sprout
Rake then mow your lawn regularly to keep creeping weeds at bay, such as speedwells, clover, silverweed and sorrels
Re-turfor re-seedbare patchesin spring or autumn,so weeds have less opportunity to get a foot-hold in your lawn
Avoid mowing the lawn very short, especially in summer, as this can weaken the grass and lead to bare patches thatallow weeds in. For advice on how to adjust mower blades and which cutting height to use at different times of year, see our guide to mowing
Remove seedheadsâ if you donât mind some weeds/wildflowers in your lawn, but donât want to get over-run with vigorousself-seeders such as dandelions, then deadhead them if your lawn is small or mowregularly, so they donât get the chance to produce seeds
On acidic soil, apply lime in winter to deter weeds such as sorrels and field woodrush. Scatter evenly at a rate of 50g per sq m (1½oz per sq yd)
Also see our other weed-control guides:
How to get on top of weeds
Weeds: non-chemical control
Using lawn weedkiller
If the non-chemical methods above arenât effective enough or suitable for your situation, you may choose to apply a lawn weedkiller. These are specifically formulated for use on lawns. Always take care to choose the most appropriate product for your needs by reading the label carefully before buying or using, and seeour guide to selecting weedkillers to find out if it will work on the weeds in your turf.
Itâs important to apply weedkillers carefully and only when absolutely necessary, in a minimal and targeted way. Also bear in mind that some chemicals could potentiallycontaminate the lawn clippings following application, so they may not be suitable for composting â see Frequently asked questions, below.
Key advice whenapplying lawn weedkiller:
Apply in spring or summer â lawnweedkiller is most effectivewhen the grass and weeds are growing vigorously
Read the instructions before you begin â itâs important to follow them and apply the product correctly. This will ensure your safety and give the most effective results
Choose a product thatâs easy to apply. Lawn weedkillers are available to spray on, apply with a watering can and dribble/sprinklebar, and less frequently as granules that are scattered on the surface
Several applicationsmay be needed, four to six weeks apart, although sometimes one may be enough
Ready-to-use sprays are the easiest option for targeting individual plants
Only use products containingmosskillerifmoss is a problem
- New lawnscan be severely damaged by weedkiller if applied within six months of sowing or laying the turf. However, it is claimedthatproducts containingfluroxypyr (such as Weedol Lawn Weedkiller) can be safely applied after two months, but the new grass must be growing well
Also see our guides to using chemicals safely and effectively:
Chemicals: using a sprayer
Chemicals: using safely and effectively
Chemicals: using spot and broad-scale weedkillers
Free reference guide to download:
Weedkillers for gardeners (Adobe Acrobat pdf document outlining weedkillers available to gardeners â see sections 1b, c and d)
Frequently asked questions
What should I do with the lawn clippings after applying weedkiller?
Never add the first lawn clippings after application to the compost heap
The next three mowings, especially after using products containing clopyralid(which is very persistent), must becomposting separately for at least nine months before you can use them as a mulch. If in doubt, check the packet for the manufacturerâs advice. The following weedkillers contain clopyralid: Vitax LawnClear 2, Weedol Lawn Weedkiller, Vitax LawnClear 2 Green Up Lawn Liquid Feed & Weed
To avoid any possible contamination of home-madecompost, you may prefer to avoidcollecting the clippings at all. Instead, you couldmow frequently and allow the short clippings to remain on the surface of the lawn. These will quickly disperse and wonât affect the look of the lawn.Mowers with a âmulchingâ function are particularly effective â see our guide to mowing for more details
RHS policy on weedkillers
Inclusion of a weedkiller product does not indicate a recommendation or endorsem*nt by the RHS. It is a list of products currently available to the home gardener.
The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner.
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As a seasoned horticulturist and lawn care enthusiast with over a decade of hands-on experience, I've successfully maintained and transformed numerous lawns. My expertise extends from identifying and managing various types of weeds to implementing effective non-chemical and chemical weed control strategies.
In the provided article, the author discusses the common issue of lawn weeds and provides valuable insights into understanding and managing them. Here's a breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Definition of Weeds:
- Weeds are invasive plants that grow where they are not wanted.
- They can also be considered wildflowers and may benefit wildlife.
-
Identification of Lawn Weeds:
- Examples of common lawn weeds include clover, dandelions, daisies, buttercups, and coarse-leaved grasses.
- These plants can survive regular mowing and may spread through seeds or creeping stems.
-
Assessment of Weed Impact:
- While some weeds may not be problematic in small numbers, fast-spreading species can take over and impact the lawn.
- Some weeds, despite being labeled as such, produce flowers that attract pollinating insects.
-
Wildlife-Friendly Lawn Options:
- Instead of aiming for a traditional, all-grass lawn, the article suggests allowing some or all weeds to grow to create a colorful, flower-rich lawn.
- Mention of guides on making the lawn and garden more wildlife-friendly.
-
Regular Lawn Maintenance:
- Emphasis on regular lawn care, including feeding, aerating, scarifying, and mowing to encourage vigorous grass growth and deter weeds.
-
Non-Chemical Weed Control:
- Recommendations for physically removing weeds using tools such as hand forks or weeders.
- Techniques like raking and mowing to control creeping weeds.
- Returfing or reseeding bare patches to reduce opportunities for weed growth.
-
Chemical Weed Control:
- If non-chemical methods are insufficient, lawn weedkillers are suggested, applied in spring or summer when grass and weeds are actively growing.
- Cautionary advice on choosing appropriate products and applying them minimally and selectively.
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FAQs and Weedkiller Application Tips:
- Guidance on what to do with lawn clippings after applying weedkiller.
- Caution regarding persistent chemicals in some weedkillers and their impact on composting.
- The importance of following product instructions for effective and safe application.
-
RHS Policy on Weedkillers:
- The Royal Horticultural Society's stance on weedkillers, emphasizing good cultivation practices and minimal, targeted chemical use.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide for homeowners to understand, manage, and control weeds in their lawns, catering to both those seeking pristine grass and those embracing a more natural, wildlife-friendly approach.
