As with grub and disease control, lawn weed control is most effective when caught in the early stages.
Turf weeds establish themselves between early April and mid-June. The Groundhog Turf Care team is out there just as soon as the snow melts, because the first stage of a double-barreled approach for tackling weeds in a lawn area is the most important. It becomes more difficult to control these fast-growing weeds once they become established.
Two Weed Preventers Are Better Than One
If you are familiar with the 5-step lawn programs, you know that Crabgrass Preventer is Step One. But that’s all you get. At Groundhog Turf Care, we put down two applications of pre-emergent weed preventer.
Round One. Our Round One fertilization program contains a pre-emergent that prevents annual weeds like crabgrass, chickweed, and henbit from germinating. This pre-emergent crabgrass control works by creating a barrier for up to five weeks by creating on the soil where they germinate.
Round Two. Hopefully, we’ve gotten a pretty good knockdown on crabgrass during Round One. The Round Two fertilization program from Groundhog Turf Care contains a pre-emergent and post emergent weed control. The pre-emergent extends the soil barrier for up to eight weeks longer than a single application of Step One. This ensures that any seeds that may be late in germinating will not come up.
How Post-Emergent Weed Controls Work
Like steroids, except for weeds! Post-emergent weed controls work by mimicking plant hormones, causing an established dandelion weed – and a host of many other turf grass weeds – to grow faster than its roots can support it. The result is a curling and twisting weed that eventually dies back to the ground. Round Two is applied between the first week in May and the first week in June.
If you see yellow dandelion flowers in your lawn, no need to call the office to say the weed control didn’t work! We have to wait until the weed has matured before applying the post-emergent.
Spot-Spraying Stubborn Weeds
Some weeds do persist! While dandelions are fairly responsive to one application of a post emergent weed control, there are tougher weeds like nutsedge, ground ivy, clover, and violets that are weather-sensitive and may take several seasons and/or different products to eradicate them from the lawn. Your lawn technician will make note of these persistent pests and spot-spray throughout the season to keep your lawn as weed-free as it can be.
Lawn weed control services are available à la carte for any Groundhog Turf Care customer.
FAQs About Controlling Lawn Weeds
1. When is the best time to start lawn weed control?
The best time to start lawn weed control is as soon as the snow melts, typically between early April and mid-June. Early treatment is crucial because it’s easier to control weeds before they become established and begin to spread rapidly.
2. What does the Round One treatment include?
Round One includes a fertilization program with a pre-emergent that prevents annual weeds like crabgrass, chickweed, and henbit from germinating. This creates a protective barrier on the soil that lasts for up to five weeks, helping to stop weed growth before it starts.
3. How does the Round Two treatment work?
Round Two includes both a pre-emergent and a post-emergent weed control. The pre-emergent extends the soil barrier for an additional eight weeks, preventing late-germinating weeds. The post-emergent mimics plant hormones, causing weeds like dandelions to grow faster than their roots can support, which leads to them curling, twisting, and eventually dying.
4. What if some weeds still persist after treatment?
While most weeds respond well to the treatments, some tougher varieties like nutsedge, ground ivy, clover, and violets may require multiple treatments over several seasons due to their weather sensitivity and resilience.
5. Can I expect my lawn to be completely weed-free after treatment?
While the treatments are highly effective at reducing weeds, complete eradication may take time, especially with more stubborn weeds. Spot-spraying and ongoing maintenance by turf care technicians help manage any persistent weeds and keep your lawn looking its best
Lawn Weed Control Service Areas in New Hampshire
Our lawn weed control services are available to lawn care clients in the following New Hampshire locations. If you don’t see your town listed, give us a call – chances are we can service you!
Southern NH
Manchester NH
