This guide shows you the best way to Get Rid of Weeds in your Yard, so if you’re looking for simple DIY steps to Kill Weeds (not grass) and get your lawn looking great again, you’ve come to the right place.
In today’s post, we’ll share seven “Do-it-Yourself” steps to kill your weeds without killing your grass!
If you’re like most of us, you love the look of a well-groomed lawn – and few things can damage that lush grass quicker than invasive weeds.
And while there is no substitute for having a seasonal Lawn Care and Fertilizer program in place, you may, from time to time, need to “spot treat” your lawn and target a breakout of weeds in your yard. And that’s what this article is designed to help you with!
Remember To Kill The “Weeds,” Not the Grass
The first and most crucial part of removing weeds in lawn areas is knowing how to kill weeds, not grass.
Killing weeds starts with distinguishing between weeds and grass. In some cases, this is quite simple—dandelions or clover look nothing like the blades of grass you’re trying to cultivate.
Be thorough and inspect your lawn more carefully to identify patches of these “look-alike” weeds, so you can select the “correct type” of weed killer.
Word of Weed-Killer Caution:
Certain Liquid “Broad-spectrum” herbicides, such as Roundup’s Weed & Grass Killer, will kill any plants it comes in contact with, including grasses.
This herbicide is typically used on sidewalks, gravel beds, or other areas where you don’t want plants to grow.
You’ll regret it almost instantly if you use a broad-spectrum chemical treatment on your grass. It happens so often that they print the name on the front label: Weed & Grass Killer.
Always read the instructions and information for weed treatments. This will make you more likely to kill your weeds and not your grass.
June 2023 Update: “Roundup for Lawns”
Roundup has introduced another product designed to kill weeds, but it won’t kill grass. (Unlike their famous Roundup Weed & Grass Killer).
This relatively new, Ready-to-Use Weed Killer, “Roundup for Lawns,“ is guaranteed to kill weeds, not Grass. It’s now available at Amazon in a 1.25-gallon refill, which is Perfect for use in your Pump Sprayer.
You can also buy a lawn roundup with a “wand” if you prefer a pump sprayer, but it’s not as economical.
Note: The manufacturer provides the following uses for “Roundup for Lawns” weed killer.
- Kills over 250 weeds, including crabgrass, dandelion, clover, and yellow nutsedge-won’t harm your lawn
- Lawn weed killer on Northern grasses, including Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fescue, bermudagrass, buffalograss, and zoysia grass.
While we wouldn’t recommend this weed killer for an entire lawn, it is a great option for “Spot Treat” weeds (if you have “Northern Grasses”). This weed killer will also allow you to target specific weeds in your lawn and between regular seasonal lawn treatments.
*Warning: If you intend to spray a weed killer directly onto your lawn, use Roundup for Lawns (Green Label) in the link above and not Roundup Weed & Grass Killer (Blue Label).
How To Kill Weeds In Yard – 7 Steps:
1) “Identify” The Type of Weed:
The first step in getting rid of active weeds is to identify them. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can select the appropriate chemical treatment to eliminate weeds.
2) Use “Safe” Chemical Herbicide (Weed Killer)
Weeds well-established in your yard require more than just prevention; they must be targeted directly with chemical herbicides to be removed. Generally, the best Chemical Herbicides for killing weeds are available in Liquid solutions with spray applicators (connected to a garden hose) or Granular types (used with fertilizer spreaders).
4) “Select” The Best Seasonal Weed Treatment Plan
There are many chemical herbicides on the market. However, not all are designed or intended to produce the same result.
Determine how much of our yard needs to be treated (square footage) and purchase a seasonal lawn fertilizer and weed killer program that works best for your yard size.
5) “Apply” The Right Amount of Weed Killer
For Small Areas:
Spray applications can quickly attack weeds and remove them more efficiently, including their roots. Always read the complete directions for any liquid spray application, and ensure the product is safe for grass before buying it.
For just a few weedy spots, use the Liquid Weed Killer with the spray bottle provided (if pre-mixed), or purchase a concentrated Liquid Weed Killer and use a garden sprayer. Mix the weed concentrate with water and target the small weed-infested areas of the lawn. Save the mixture and reapply to any weedy spots that reappear after two weeks.
For Large Areas:
For more significant weed problems distributed throughout your lawn, you’ll likely want to apply a Granular Weed Killer in the yard. This will ensure you’re getting them all. Most weeds have a network of roots, and you want to kill the entire root system.
6) Use The “Right Type” of Applicator
Grass weeds can hide in healthy grass in your yard. You can use a liquid concentrate with a hose attachment or granular treatment with a broadcast fertilizer spreader for whole-yard applications.
Either method will kill weeds in lawns. However, a granular treatment is usually more cost-effective for medium to large properties. See each of the two recommended application methods below:
A) How to Use A “Drop Fertilizer Spreader“
B) How to Use A “Liquid Spray” Fertilizer Applicator
7) The Last Resort – Yank ‘Em Out
If you only have a few weeds in your lawn, you can pull them out by hand. This approach works well for weeds along a fence row or beside your house’s foundation, but isn’t practical for anything more widespread.
Just make sure you pull the entire weed—roots and all—or it will grow right back.
Word to the Wise: Some “experts” claim Vinegar is a Natural Weed Killer, which is unfortunately untrue. While vinegar may make weeds shrivel or stunt their growth, vinegar does not “kill” weeds at their roots.
But don’t just take our word for it—see the 7-day test below, which shows the effect of boiling water vs. vinegar on killing weeds.
How to “Prevent Weeds” in Your Yard
“Prevention” is a critical step in Weed Control. After all, if you can prevent weeds from growing in the first place, you will save yourself the time, trouble, and money of getting rid of them later.
These lawn care techniques are among the best preventive measures you can quickly implement yourself.
But never forget—weeds are most active in early spring and fully mature by early summer. If you intend to get “out in front” of weed activity, start your weed regimen early!
1) Set your lawnmower Height “Higher.”
One of the best ways to eliminate grass weeds is to raise the deck on your lawnmower. Like the grass you want in your lawn, grassy weeds require the right conditions for their seeds to germinate and grow.
If your grass is growing high enough to keep weeds from getting sunlight, they’ll have a tough time surviving.
2) Use Proper Watering Techniques
Well-saturated – but infrequent watering will help your grass develop a healthier root system. These methods will, in turn, deprive competitive weeds of finding the environment they need to thrive.
3) Consider Annual or Semi-Annual “Lawn Aeration.”
Knowing how to use a Lawn Aerator in early Spring will allow your grass to receive vital nutrients, water, and air to grow thicker.
This often-overlooked step is vital for a super healthy lawn. If you don’t already have an aerator, no problem—you can rent one of these tools for an hour at your local home and garden.
4) Use a “Seasonal Fertilization Program.”
Feeding your lawn at regular seasonal intervals throughout the year is a reliable way to prevent weeds. Using a granular spreader or hose applicator, apply liquid fertilizer based on specific weed germination cycles.
Additionally, you can significantly improve your grass’s overall health and make it more difficult for weeds to gain a foothold.
Fertilizers can also serve a double purpose, as many products contain fertilizer and weed-killing herbicides that won’t harm grass.
One of the best products we recommend for this purpose is Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action Weed Killer and Fertilizer.
However, the right product depends on the season you’re applying it in and the weed you’re targeting.
5) Optional: Use a Professional Lawn Treatment Company
We all know how long it takes grass seed to fully grow, and keeping your lawn free of weeds requires regular maintenance, but the results are well worth it in the end.
As an option, and if you have limited time and the budget to do so, you may consider hiring a local lawn treatment company to set up quarterly service instead of doing it yourself.
Most service companies offer free estimates, so you can easily compare their prices to the costs (and personal time) required to do a DIY.
A Lawn service may also be a good option, depending on your schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Is The Best Way to Prevent Weeds?
The best way to prevent weeds in your yard is to maintain a seasonal lawn treatment program with at least 4 annual applications. Secondly, water your lawn 1-2″ thrice a week.
Lastly, set your mower height between 2 and 3″ high to keep your grass healthiest. This will keep the roots from drying out and prevent weeds from taking hold.
Does Roundup Kill Grass?
Roundup weed killer kills weeds but will also kill grass upon contact. Recently, the Roundup brand has begun selling a weed killer called Roundup For Lawns, which can be used for lawn treatment with a pressure sprayer.
Roundup for Lawns is described as a product made not to kill grass but only to kill weeds.
What is the Best Type of Spreader to Use?
We recommend a “Broadcast Spreader” as the best spreader for seasonal lawn treatments, including fertilizer and weed treatments. Broadcast spreaders distribute a broad path up to 8 feet, while a Drop Spreader delivers a 14-16″ path of fertilizer.
Conclusion
Keeping your lawn free of weeds will require regular maintenance, but the results are well worth it. Now that you know how to eliminate weeds in the yard, you can get rid of the established weeds and take steps to prevent them from returning.
In most cases, the best way to get rid of weeds in yards is to use chemical or granular treatments specifically formulated for lawns.
Maintaining a lush, healthy grass lawn is the best way to control weeds. If you take good care of your yard, you’ll rarely need to address the issue of “how to kill weeds in your lawn” again.
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