5 Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Lawn—Without Killing the Grass

Weeds are more than just an unattractive nuisance. Certain weeds can exacerbate allergies, attract unwelcome pests to your yard, and compete with desired grasses for sunlight, water, and nutrients. These fast-growing plants quickly take over your lawn, weakening the turf, creating bare patches, and reducing your lawn's curb appeal. The longer they’re left unchecked, the harder weeds are to control.

While eliminating weeds can be essential for the health of your landscape, certain methods can kill your surrounding grass. To help you eliminate these pesky plants without compromising the health of your turf, our experts share their methods for ridding your lawn of troublesome invaders and best practices for maintaining a lush, inviting lawn.  

Hand-Pull Weeds

Hand-pulling is one of the best natural ways to remove weeds without damaging your lawn. Tammy Sons, founder and CEO at TN Nursery, recommends using a long-handled weeding tool that allows you to get to the base of the weed without disturbing the surrounding grass. "This is best done right after a rainfall, while the soil is soft and workable," she says. You can use your hands if you don't have a weeding tool, but make sure you remove the root of the weed or it will grow back.

Let Grass Grow Taller

If you have thick, healthy cool-season grass, you can mow it higher to create a dense canopy that prevents weeds from growing. "While it won't kill all the weeds, it does help to minimize weed growth," says Garrett Lang, turf management specialist with Lex Lawns & Irrigation. "A tall, healthy lawn can block sunlight and space where weeds grow. But it is not as effective at controlling the weeds as a pre-emergent herbicide."

Maintain a Healthy Lawn

A lush, healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds and other lawn conditions. "Proper and consistent lawn care is essential for effective weed control because a healthy, dense turf naturally crowds out weeds and prevents them from establishing," says Jason McCausland, technical coordinator at Weed Man. Here are the good lawn care habits he advises to help keep your lawn weed-free:

• Water deeply: Aim to water your lawn twice a week in the early morning for 30 to 45 minutes. However, the watering needs of your lawn will depend on your region and weather conditions. 
• Mow regularly: Maintain a regular mowing schedule throughout the growing season. The best height for your lawn will depend on the type of grass. Never remove more than a third of the grass blade at each mowing, and keep your mower blades sharp to make a clean, crisp cut that heals quickly.
• Feed your lawn: Fertilization is an essential part of any comprehensive lawn care plan. Fertilizer gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to produce strong roots and leaves. 
• Aerate and overseed: Aeration loosens the soil, allowing grass roots to grow deeper and soak up water and nutrients. Seeding fills in thin or bare spots, so there is less room for weeds to pop up.
• Use soil boosters: Using soil boosters like compost or pH treatments makes the soil healthier, which helps your grass grow thick and healthy.

Use a (Natural) Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weeds from developing before they break through the soil surface by creating a barrier in the soil. We recommend using a natural pre-emergent herbicide like corn gluten meal, which acts as a fertilizer while also hindering weed growth—and won't introduce harmful chemicals to your yard.

Pre-emergent herbicides need to be applied before the target weed germinates. "Always check the label of your pre-emergent," Lang advises. "The label will give you the window of time when it is safe to plant grass seed after an application."

Use a (Natural) Post-Emergent Herbicide

While a pre-emergent herbicide prevents weeds by not allowing them to germinate, a post-emergent herbicide is something you spray on an already developed plant. We recommend choosing a natural post-emergent herbicide to protect local wildlife and maintain biodiversity in the soil.

Selective pre-emergent herbicides target a specific grassy weed or broadleaf weed, and will not harm your grass, explains Lang. "But not all selective herbicides are meant for every type of grass, so always read the label." A DIY example of a natural, non-selective post-emergent herbicide is vinegar, which is safe for the environment, but will kill all the plants it's applied to.