How to Permanently Kill Weeds in Maryland

How to Permanently Kill Weeds in Maryland

One of the best parts of summer is enjoying a fresh lawn. However, the same warm weather that favors healthy grass also supports weed growth — and these weeds can quickly take control of your yard.

Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take to rid your lawn of weeds and keep the grass healthy. Some weeds are easier to handle than others, but none of them are impossible to remove. Keep reading to learn how you can clear your lawn and enjoy a weed-free summer.

Can You Permanently Remove Weeds? 

The answer is both yes and no. There are valuable lawn management strategies you can use to significantly reduce weeds across your property. By understanding the plants’ lifecycle and using targeted treatments, you can rid your lawn of most weeds.

However, even with professional help, you’ll likely continue to deal with some weed growth each summer. The amount of weeds you’ll need to deal with will be significantly less than usual, but certain weeds may pop up in some places. As a result, having a few weed control techniques in mind can help you take care of them.

Different Types of Weeds Common to Maryland

There are several types of weeds you’ll commonly find growing across Maryland and surrounding areas. Here is a quick list of 10 common weeds you might encounter in your yard:

  • Chickweed
  • Crabgrass
  • Deadnettle
  • Annual bluegrass
  • Dandelion
  • Ground ivy
  • Plantain
  • Black medic
  • Henbit
  • Clover

3 Effective Weed Control Techniques

Common weed control methods range from DIY options to organic lawn care and professional types of herbicides. Depending on your lawn’s environment and the weeds present in your yard, some control techniques will be more effective than others.

Organic Care Options

When you spend time investing in healthy soil and grass, you can drive out weeds by default. Here are a few steps you can take to organically care for your lawn:

  • Overseed to crowd out weeds.
  • Aerate the soil to improve growth.
  • Add organic compost and fertilizer.

By cultivating healthy, thick grass, you can keep weed seeds from having anywhere to sprout. If you’re also actively removing and treating weeds, your lawn will improve drastically over the season. Within a year or two, you should have a beautiful lawn with few, if any, weeds, so long as you continue to pay attention to lawn maintenance.

DIY Weed-Killing Treatments

There are several DIY methods you can use to remove or kill weeds. Here are a few of the most common DIY weed treatments

  • Digging weeds out by hand
  • Covering weeds temporarily with tarp
  • Pouring boiling water on weeds
  • Spritzing weeds with vinegar
  • Applying lower strength herbicides

The best option for your yard depends on how much time you have and its conditions. If you’re dealing with weeds coming up through flagstones, the tarp method should work well.

For lawns, it’s more challenging to kill weeds without also damaging your grass or soil. However, you can specifically target weeds with herbicides, which are formulated to have no effect on grass. 

Of course, digging out roots and weeding by hand is another option. If you decide to pull out roots, you should wait for the soil to dry out. It’s much harder to get deep roots out of wet soil. 

Contacting Lawn Care Organizations for Tough Weeds

Contacting Lawn Care Organizations for Tough Weeds

If you’ve tried DIY methods with limited success or don’t have time for this chore, reach out to a professional lawn care service. Lawn care technicians are trained to administer herbicides and other treatments for maximum impact. 

They understand each weed type’s lifecycle and will return as often as needed until the weeds are under control. Getting professional help early on can give your yard the boost it needs to overcome weeds and become the smooth, grassy lawn you want it to be. 

When Is the Best Time to Treat Weed Growth?

It’s best to treat most weeds in the early spring, before they have a chance to emerge and spread new seeds. However, if you’re getting started a little later in the year, there are still several effective steps you can take to manage weed growth. At this point in the weed life cycle, your goal should be to reduce seeds so the weed won’t continue to spread. Then, you can treat existing weeds to eliminate them from your yard.

Weed Management in Different Areas of Your Lawn

Different strategies work best in different parts of your yard. While some weeds thrive in sunlight, others prefer dark, damp areas. The kind of soil and nutrients you have in your yard will also impact what weeds grow and where they pop up across your lawn.

For example, moss frequently grows in shaded areas, especially if the ground tends to stay damp. To deal with moss, you can scrape it away and then treat the area with moss-specific herbicides. Spread grass seed and keep an eye on the area until you’re sure no moss is growing back.

Pros and Cons of Different Weed Control Methods 

To decide which weed control method is best for your yard, you can ask yourself a few specific questions: 

  • How much time do I want to spend treating weeds?
  • How large is my yard, and how many weeds need to be removed?
  • How healthy is the grass on my lawn?
  • What is my budget for lawn care?
  • How quickly do I want the weeds to be completely gone?

The best plan for treating weeds in your yard depends on many personal factors, including time, finances and the current condition of your lawn. For some homeowners, DIY methods can be a great fit. However, if you’d like your lawn cleared of weeds quickly and effectively, it’s always a good choice to call a professional team.

Choose Organic Lawns for Expert Weed Removal in Maryland

Choose Organic Lawns for Expert Weed Removal in Maryland

At Organic Lawns, our goal is to help you nurture a stunning lawn that stays weed-free. We test your soil and use eco-friendly treatments to increase the health of your grass and remove the weeds you don’t want interrupting your lawn.

Our customers stay with us because they love our core values and the results we provide them. Although our products are gentle on the environment, they’re also highly effective. We treat clients like family and serve homeowners across Maryland.

Browse our variety of lawn care services to see which option might be best for you. We also offer many special deals, so you can benefit from an economical yet effective weed control service. Contact us today to learn more about professional weed control in and around Baltimore!

icon-angle icon-bars icon-times