How to get rid of weeds in your yard – You have two alternatives for eradicating weeds from your grass: physically digging out the weeds or applying a chemical weed killer. If your grass is established (6 months or older), you can use either strategy, but you should not use a Feed, Weed, and Moss Killer on a newly planted lawn.
To dig out, we can employ procedures such as aerating and scarifying the lawn, or digging out the weeds with a spade and reseeding the area with grass seed. Alternately, you may use chemicals that will nourish the grass and root system while eliminating weeds from the lawn. Follow the instructions on the packaging carefully while applying.
The blackening of moss and weeds indicates the effectiveness of this weed killer, which typically takes around two weeks. Simply remove the dead grasses and, if required, reseed the area. How to eliminate weeds from a lawn
How can weeds be eliminated without harming grass?
What Can You Spray to Kill Weeds but Not Grass in Your Yard? – To eliminate weeds in your yard without harming the grass, you can: Spray a selective herbicide formulated to eliminate broadleaf weeds without harming grass. Choose a crabgrass spray that will not harm your lawn grass.
- Spread pre-emergence herbicide in the spring and fall to eliminate weed seeds as they germinate.
- Reduce the need of chemical herbicides by using an organic pre-emergent.
- Grass weeds may be removed naturally by hand.
- Avoid vinegar—it will destroy grass.
- Never use salt since it kills both grass and weeds.
Even difficult-to-eradicate weeds and noxious grasses can be managed using these techniques. By selecting the appropriate treatment for your grass, you will eradicate weeds and allow your lawn to flourish.
A non-selective herbicide purchased from a hardware store may be effective, but its degree of effectiveness may diminish significantly as the weed grows. Please be aware that this will harm the neighboring grass.
Can you dig up Doveweed?
A question for Dan Gill: Dan, I was hoping you could identify this weed, which has grown common due to the recent rainfall. I work in the landscaping industry, and the horticultural sprayer says he calls it water grass. It is resistant to the herbicide Roundup, and it is becoming a concern in several settings.
Thanks. – Angelo Answer: This is doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora), a widespread summer annual on lawns and flowerbeds. Doveweed seems to be an invasive pale-green grass when it is mowed. Nonetheless, it is not a grass. Doveweed has stems that root at the nodes and clusters of blue blooms on short stalks. Atrazine is effective against this weed on lawns, where it may be used on St.
Augustinegrass, centipedegrass, and zoysiagrass. During the current hot weather, it is sufficient to spot-treat weed spots and limit contact with the grass. (Atrazine is more likely to harm lawns, particularly St. Augustinegrass, when temperatures are high.) At garden centers, atrazine is sold under a variety of brand names, including Hi-Yield Atrazine, Southern Ag Atrazine, and Image with Atrazine.
No other lawn weed killers are effective against the weed. Atrazine cannot be used in or around vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, or decorative plants. Glyphosate (Roundup, Killzall) likewise is utterly useless in reducing doveweed. To eradicate doveweed from beds (flowerbeds, vegetable gardens), manually remove or dig it out.
There are no subterranean roots, rhizomes, or bulbs that require resprouting considerations. However, there are undoubtedly numerous seeds ready to germinate. After weeding the bed, add a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch to prevent seed germination. Dan Gill is a member of the LSU AgCenter’s horticulture department.
What is the most effective pesticide against Doveweed?
Doveweed is a mat-forming, invasive perennial weed that loves soil that is very damp. Detail of Bugwood Photo 1391179. John D. Byrd, University of Mississippi State, Bugwood.org On recent years, doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora) has become a problematic weed in residential lawns.
- It is an annual summer weed whose seeds germinate in late spring when soil temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The leaves of doveweed are thick, glossy, and up to four inches long with parallel veins.
- Doveweed is typically ignored on St.
- Augustinegrass and centipedegrass lawns due to its tall, grass-like leaves.
Doveweed grows vigorously over the grass by thick, creeping stems known as stolons. Doveweed is a member of the Commelinaceae (dayflower) family and is closely related to the invasive spiderworts (Tradescantia species) and the extremely invasive Benghal dayflower ( Commelina benghalensis ).
- Doveweed’s blooms consist of three lavender petals and three green sepals.
- Close-up of picture 5568065 of a Bugwood.
- Wallace, Rebekah D., University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Doveweed flourishes in excessively wet soils due to inadequate soil drainage, frequent rainfall, or irrigation.
- In these moist settings, homeowners may not recognize the presence of this grass-like plant until vast swaths of turfgrass have been buried.
In the summer, doveweed produces tiny, three-petaled, lavender flowers that make the grass more conspicuous while in bloom. After flowering, seeds are generated in tiny green capsules around 3/16 inches in diameter. Prior to germination, doveweed seeds can stay viable for several years in the soil.
Cultural Controls: Limit the growth of doveweed by keeping a healthy and robust turfgrass. Allow the surface soils to dry out between waterings by watering the lawn strongly but rarely. This will increase the root depth of the turfgrass and inhibit the spread of the doveweed. Please check HGIC 1207, Watering Lawns, for further information about irrigation.
In addition, address any drainage issues to prevent damp spots in the grass. Aerate the grass with cores to enhance internal soil drainage, minimize soil compaction, and promote root development. Please visit HGIC 1200, Aerating Lawns, for further information on core aeration.
Follow the recommendations of a soil test for the application rates of fertilizers and lime. These suggestions are particular to each type of turfgrass. Refer to HGIC 1652, Soil Testing, for sampling instructions. Mow the lawn at the appropriate height for the kind of turfgrass. A mowing height that is too low strains the turfgrass and may lead the mower to cut and disperse doveweed stolons, which can easily root in wet circumstances.
In contrast, a lawn maintained at the proper height promotes the growth of thick turfgrass and partially shadows the doveweed. Refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns, for the appropriate turfgrass cutting heights. Consider dethatching the grass at the right time if the thatch layer is greater than half an inch.
Please refer to HGIC 2360, Controlling Thatch in Lawns, for further information on dethatching. Hand-pulling doveweed is useless as a technique of eradication because fragments of roots and stolons can regrow. Controlling doveweed with herbicides may need two to three years of pre- and post-emergence application.
Post-emergence Herbicides: Use atrazine on centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass for effective to superior doveweed control. In late spring, once the turfgrass has fully regrown, apply atrazine. Atrazine has a pre-emergence action that prevents the development of more weed seeds.
- If necessary, submit a second application one month later.
- Do not apply atrazine to a lawn that is drought-stressed or if daily temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Additionally, do not apply atrazine near water sources or while the water table is high.
- Utilize herbicides including 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop (MCPP) for broadleaf weed management on bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, St.
Augustinegrass, and tall fescue. If necessary, apply a second application 30 days later. Use a decreased amount of herbicide on centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass, as directed on the label. The 3-way herbicides give adequate to good doveweed control. During spring green-up of the four warm-season turfgrasses, do not apply atrazine or 3-way herbicides (bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, and St.
- Augustinegrass).
- Celsius WG controls doveweed well on the four warm-season turfgrasses.
- Do not use Celsius WG on tall fescue lawns.
- In addition, Celsius WG is the only product that may be applied to warm-season lawns throughout the spring greening process.
- If a second application is required, wait between 2 and 4 weeks following the initial submission.
Spray 3% glyphosate over expansive doveweed-infested regions with little or no turfgrass to eradicate the weed. There are products containing 41% glyphosate with instructions for dilution in a pump-up sprayer. After the doveweed is eradicated, resow the lawn.
- See Table 1 for examples of brands and products, as well as further information on the use of atrazine, 3-way herbicides, Celsius WG, and glyphosate.
- Pre-emergence Herbicides: To inhibit the germination of doveweed seeds, a pre-emergence herbicide should be used in the spring and again in early summer.
As with many other pre-emergence herbicides, Indaziflam (Specticle G) prevents the growth of roots in both weeds and desirable turfgrasses; thus, adhere to the label instructions for application. Do not apply Specticle G to a lawn that was seeded less than 16 months ago, nor to a lawn that was sodded less than 3 months ago.
If Specticle G is applied to the grass, fresh sod should not be installed for at least six months. On centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass, lower rates of Specticle G are advised. Refer to Table 1 for further details. Since doveweed seeds develop when soil temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the first treatment of pre-emergence herbicide should be made in mid-April, followed by a second dose 45 days later in the Upstate.
Apply the initial application around April 1 and the second application 45 days later in the Midlands. In coastal regions, the initial application should be made at the end of March, followed by a second application 45 days later. Water applications of granular fertilizer into the lawn.
| Brands & Specific Products | Herbicide Active Ingredient | % Active Ingredient in Product | Labeled for Use On |
| Pre-emergence Herbicides | |||
| Specticle G 1 | Indaziflam | 0.0224 | Tall Fescue Bermudagrass Zoysiagrass Centipedegrass & St. Augustinegrass |
| Post-emergence Herbicides | |||
| Bayer BioAdvanced Southern Weed Killer for Lawns Concentrate; & RTS 2 | 2,4-D Mecoprop Dicamba | 7.59 1.83 0.84 | Tall Fescue Bermudagrass & ZoysiagrassUse at lower label rate on: Centipedegrass & St. AugustinegrassApplications may be repeated as needed after 30 days. |
| Bonide Weed Beater Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate | 2,4-D Mecoprop Dicamba | 7.59 1.83 0.84 | |
| Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawn Concentrate; & RTS 2 | 2,4-D Mecoprop Dicamba | 7.59 1.83 0.84 | |
| Ferti-lome Weed-Out Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate with Trimec | 2,4-D Mecoprop Dicamba | 5.88 5.45 1.21 | |
| Southern Ag Lawn Weed Killer with Trimec Concentrate | 2,4-D Mecoprop Dicamba | 3.05 5.30 1.29 | |
| Gordon’s Trimec Ready to Spray Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate; & RTS 1 | 2,4-D Mecoprop Dicamba | 5.56 1.34 0.62 | |
| Ortho Weed Be Gon Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate; & RTS 2 | 2,4-D Mecoprop Dicamba | 8.658 2.127 0.371 | |
| Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns Concentrate | 2,4-D MCPP Dicamba | 8.658 2.217 0.371 | Tall Fescue Bermudagrass ZoysiagrassApplication may be repeated in 21 days |
| Hi-Yield Atrazine Weed Killer | Atrazine | 4.00 | Only for use on Centipedegrass & St. Augustinegrass |
| Southern Ag Atrazine St. Augustine Weed Killer Conc. | Atrazine | 4.00 | |
| Celsius WG Herbicide 3 | Thiencarbazone Iodosulfuron Dicamba | 8.7 1.9 57.4 | Bermudagrass Zoysiagrass Centipedegrass& St. Augustinegrass 4 |
| Non-Selective Herbicides | |||
| Ace Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer | Glyphosate | 41% (most brands) | For use within the lawn as spot spraying to kill large patches of doveweed. Then re-sod or re-seed these areas after doveweed is dead (at least 1 week later). |
| Bonide Kleenup Grass & Weed Killer Concentrate; & Ready to Use | |||
| Eliminator Weed & Grass Killer Super Concentrate | |||
| Gordon’s Groundwork Concentrate 50% Super Weed & Grass Killer | |||
| Hi-Yield Super Concentrate Killzall Weed & Grass Killer | |||
| Knockout Weed & Grass Killer Super Concentrate | |||
| Martin’s Eraser Systemic Weed & Grass Killer | |||
| Monterey Remuda Full Strength 41% Glyphosate Quick Kill Grass & Weed Killer | |||
| Roundup Original Concentrate | |||
| Roundup Pro Herbicide | |||
| Southern States Grass & Weed Killer Concentrate II | |||
| Tiger Brand Quick Kill Conc. | |||
| Total Kill Pro Weed & Grass Killer Herbicide | |||
| Ultra Kill Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate | |||
| Zep Enforcer Weed Defeat Concentrate | |||
| 1 Specticle G is for use on well-established lawns, at least 16 months since the lawn was seeded or 3 months since sodded. Do not install sod in an area for at least 6 months after this pre-emergence application to the lawn. Use the lower rate of 2.9 pounds per 1000 square feet of lawn if soils are sandy, as indaziflam may leach downward and cause turfgrass injury.2 RTS: Ready-to-Spray (hose-end sprayer) 3 Celsius WG requires the addition of 2 teaspoons of a non-ionic surfactant (such as Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker), which is a wetter-sticker agent to aid in weed control and added at 0.25% by volume in a gallon of water.4 Spot treatments of Celsius WG to St. Augustinegrass at temperatures above 90 degrees may cause temporary growth regulation. Celsius WP is not for use on fescue lawns. Note: Do not apply any post-emergence herbicides, except Celsius WG Herbicide, to lawns during the spring green-up of turfgrass. Wait until the turfgrass is fully green. |
Each year, pesticides are updated. Joey Williamson completed the last update on 8/21. Original publication date: 02/20 If this paper does not address your questions, please contact the HGIC at [email protected] or 1-888-656-9986.