Last week as I did some work around my property, I noticed an increase in lawn weeds- namely hairy plantain- in my yard. As we start to have warmer weather and spring showers, lawn weed pressure is going to increase. This is a great time of year to start working on managing weeds before they become a big issue.
Effective weed control requires three primary plans of action. The first is cultural practices. Using best practices such as soil testing, applying lime and fertilizer, mowing, and irrigation can ensure that the desirable lawn species grow vigorously. A well-established, well-maintained stand of grass is much more difficult for weeds to invade than one that is poorly managed. The best time to soil test your property is this time of year (spring). Soil testing allows you to tailor your lime and fertilization program to the needs of your lawn, saving you money and allowing you to make the most impact. Most of Georgia has acidic soil, and most lawns will require lime, nitrogen, and possibly potassium and phosphorus. In addition to maintaining soil quality, lawns need adequate irrigation to thrive. A general rule of thumb to follow is that lawns need 1 inch of supplemental water per week if there is no rainfall. This is especially critical for newly sprigged or sodded areas. There are a variety of ways to irrigate an area including soaker hoses, sprinklers, drip lines, and more. Keep an eye on the weather and irrigate as needed, but be careful not to over-water your lawn either.
The second plan of action for maintaining a weed-free lawn is mechanical management. Following best practices of mowing frequently and to a proper height can help reduce the development of weeds. This method is most effective on annual weeds and may not be an effective way of controlling perennial weeds. By mowing correctly, we can reduce competition and improve the ability of turfgrasses to grow. Mowing can also be an effective method for killing some weeds. For warm season grass lawns, the recommended mowing height is 1-2 inches, while cool season grass lawns should be cut between 2-3 inches. During the hot, dry weather of summer, you should increase the mowing height by ½ inch above your typical cutting height. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the grass height at one time as you will stress the plants, allowing weeds and other issues to become more prominent. Hand-pulling new weeds when they first appear can prevent the spread of that weed in your lawn. We recommend bringing new and unknown weeds to the Extension office for identification if needed.
The final way to control weeds in a home lawn is the use of herbicides. Herbicides, when used in conjunction with good cultural practices, are an important component of a lawn weed control program. However, they should only be used as directed on the label and are only able to control certain species of weeds. Pre-emergence herbicides can be used prior to the growing season in early spring to help prevent the growth of weeds. A broadleaf post-emergence product can be used any time of the year as a spot treatment on specific weeds. If you need help with weed identification and pesticide recommendations, the Lincoln County Extension office can aid at uge3181@uga.edu and 706-359-3233.
