Updated Oct 14, 2022
Updated Oct 14, 2022
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Although we often think of flowers as being attractive, this is typically not when they are sprouting from your lawn. Dandelions can be quite annoying to have in your turf, but there are ways to remove them and get rid of weeds like these for good. In our guide on how to get rid of dandelions, we will provide:
There are several ways to get rid of dandelion plants, but one of those is to remove them by hand. It would be great if you could just walk over and pull these yellow flowers out of the ground, but removing these dandelion plants may take a little more prep and effort.
You will need a small weed remover and a little spray bottle of water. When the plant and the area surrounding it is wet, the weed becomes much easier to remove. Once you have your supplies, you can follow these steps to remove the dandelion.
Although manual removal is an effective way to remove dandelion plans, there are sometimes issues with not getting all of the seed heads or the fact that these broadleaf weeds may have taken over a large portion of your lawn. If that is the case, you can spray your lawn with a herbicide that will kill the dandelions.
To spot spray your lawn for dandelions, you will not need a post-emergent herbicide. Although it is always best to treat with a pre-emergent herbicide, if these quick-growing lawn weeds are already apparent, chances are you will need the post-emergent.
The most crucial factor here is choosing a herbicide that will not impact your lawn. Natural herbicides are non-selective and will kill any grass in the area. However, for typical dandelion control, you should be able to use a post-emergent broadleaf herbicide that is selective.
You will also need a sprayer or spreader to apply the weed killer as well as a watering source to ensure this process is completed properly.
Here are the basic steps to apply weed killer to your grass and spot spray for dandelions. However, to maintain a healthy lawn, it’s an excellent idea to read the packaging of the weed killer you purchased.
Dandelions are killed by quite a few things; however, some of these things are also going to kill nearby plants and grass. When choosing a dandelion killer, make sure that you are carefully considering the impact that it has on the surrounding area. Here are the most common dandelion killers:
Typically speaking, it’s best to handle these bright yellow flowers in the fall so that by the early spring, your grass can be dandelion free. However, sometimes this window of opportunity is missed, and a dandelion will make it through the cold season and take over in the spring.
Make sure that the outdoor temperature is above 60 degrees. Also, take a look at the weather and ensure that the conditions are not going to bring a large storm in the next day. Applying spray just before a storm will be a waste of your chemical.
One of the great things to know about dandelions is that if you properly maintain your lawn and surrounding flower beds, the chance of these weed seeds popping up and spreading over your lawn is quite slim. Here are some additional tips to ensure that the next new plant in your yard is not an invasive one.
One of the best ways to kill dandelions naturally is to use boiling water or vinegar to kill the plants. If a weeder and weeding knife sound like a nightmare to you, these natural weed-killing methods can help. The only problem with this is that any nearby grass seed or grass shoots will also die, so you have to be precise when applying any of the natural herbicides.
There are only two ways to kill dandelions without killing grass. The first is to use a selective herbicide or broadleaf weed killer. The second is to pull them by hand. Remember, when removing them by hand, you can’t just pull the fluffy seed head out of the ground; the entire tap root needs to come along.
When using a herbicide, you will need to know the type of grass you have. If you choose the wrong herbicide, your grass will die along with the dandelions, and this is detrimental.
Getting rid of dandelions permanently is going to take some good preventative measures. Here are some steps to take to ensure you are not dealing with this problem season after season.
If dandelions have genuinely taken over your property and you feel there is no other way to treat the issue, hiring a professional is always possible. A professional will come in and assess the damage and come up with a plan that will work for your specific property.
The best professional service for dandelion removal is TruGreen. TruGreen has spent more than 15 years in the industry, and they can handle everything from mowing and trimming to fertilization and weed control.
Dandelions are edible and can be used in salads or eaten on their own. Make sure that when eating dandelions, you wash them first, and you ensure they have not been sprayed with any broadleaf herbicides.
Dandelions are not poisonous to humans or animals and, in fact, can bring many health benefits. Dandelions have quite a few natural vitamins in them; if you find that you enjoy eating them, they will not harm you.
Dandelions are perennial broadleaf weeds. They spread quickly but respond well to traditional broadleaf weed killers.
Dandelions are not poisonous to dogs. If your curious pet eats a few dandelions on your next walk, don’t be concerned about any lasting effects, there should be no issues with consuming a few dandelions. Of course, any animal or human can have food sensitivities, but this is typically not the case with dandelions.
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