Organic Weed Control: Are There More Effective Natural Solutions?

Many homeowners in search of more natural treatments for their lawn care programs believe organic remedies may be the answer to their weed problems. However, no organic weed control products offer a complete solution.

While organic lawn care products may serve roles in other areas of your lawn maintenance routine, no truly effective organic materials have been identified to reduce weed damage to acceptable levels.

Corn gluten meal is praised for its ability to suppress crabgrass, but this is largely due to the nitrogen component in the product. The nitrogen improves turf density, which shades crabgrass seeds. Research has shown that half the nitrogen applied from an inexpensive nitrogen fertilizer is just as effective as corn gluten in reducing crabgrass in the Delmarva region. However, nitrogen alone does not provide complete control over crabgrass or many other weeds.

Biological agents, which are very expensive, have been widely tested against weeds, insects and diseases. These organic treatments only control pests erratically and are best described as slightly effective.

If you prefer natural lawn maintenance techniques to herbicides, many lawn care companies are able to incorporate cultural approaches that minimize the damaging effects of weeds and other lawn pests. Learn more about effective natural lawn treatments that supplement your lawn care program:

Mow Your Grass To The Correct Height

Mowing your lawn to a height of 3.0 to 3.5 inches is the best approach to suppressing weeds and preventing or reducing diseases. It is also helpful to mow as needed (i.e., do not wait until grass leaves get above 5.0 inches) and remove only one-third of the leaf tissue with each cutting. For example, if the preferred mowing height is 3.5 inches, you should mow the lawn when it is about 4.75 inches high.

Maintain A Nitrogen Fertilizer Program

Nitrogen fertilizer supplies your grass with the nutrients it needs to grow lush and green. Fertilizer also promotes turf vigor and density, which helps your lawn fend off weeds. Vigorous, healthy turf shades weed seeds from the sun so the seeds are unable to germinate and develop.

You or your lawn care company should select a suitable lawn grass, fertilize properly and apply lime as needed based on soil tests. When you develop a timeframe for fertilizing your lawn, remember that it is especially beneficial to apply most of the annual allotment of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall.

Irrigate Your Lawn Properly

Irrigating your lawn deeply and infrequently is one of the most difficult cultural practices to achieve correctly. However, this technique helps minimize weed encroachment by reducing the number of weed seeds that germinate and develop. Deep, infrequent watering also encourages roots to grow deeper, which results in a thicker, more vigorous turf.

By following cultural practices such as mowing your grass to the correct height, fertilizing your lawn with nitrogen at the appropriate times of year and irrigating your lawn properly, you reduce your need for other weed control treatments.

If these cultural approaches are not completely effective, you may need to use herbicides on your lawn to treat your weed problem. Selective herbicides target weed growth without damaging your grass. If you have questions about whether cultural lawn care solutions are sufficient for your lawn’s weed control or whether you need an herbicide application, it is beneficial to speak with an expert. If your lawn already contains an abundance of weeds, you need to use a selective herbicide. Thereafter, by imposing proper cultural practices, you minimize the ability of weeds to invade the lawn again.

Ready to learn about other effective lawn care solutions for your home? Discover seasonal tips for taking care of your lawn year-round.

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