Lawn help - Ask Extension
Hello, I am a new homeowner and have inherited a lawn that is more weeds than grass at this point. I prefer to use organic practices in my yard so I a...
Knowledgebase
Lawn help #867955
Asked May 10, 2024, 9:45 PM EDT
Hello, I am a new homeowner and have inherited a lawn that is more weeds than grass at this point. I prefer to use organic practices in my yard so I am trying to figure out what to do to kill and prevent weeds while helping the grass to grow and replace weeds. If I use an organic lawn food fertilizer, will this promote grass growth and eventually squash out the weeds? Or is there an organic method of getting rid of weeds in the lawn without using chemicals to kill them? Thanks so much for your help!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
There are two ways to look at a weed like this. First, it is a weed to eradicate with herbicides.
Or, it is a sign that your lawn is not being cultivated in a way to best keep weeds from invading.
I can't comment on this without knowing more about your lawn care.
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care
Some general ideas to get started. Fertilizer stimulates weeds as much as it does grass. The issue is to make the grass stronger.
Sharpen the mower and set it at its top setting--4 inches-- and leave it there until fall. Taller grass has deeper roots and is more resistant to weeds. Follow the U watering schedule. Frequent shallow watering encourages plants that rely on surface roots. Grass is best when its roots go deep.
It is not too late to overseed but I would need a picture of your lawn and an indication of what is north to suggest a mix.
In the fall, real reseeding.
Finally, I suggest you consider now your interest in a bee lawn or gardens. Those decisions are fundamental to deciding lawn management.
Consider classes from Metrobloooms.org
Congrats on your new home!
There are two ways to look at a weed like this. First, it is a weed to eradicate with herbicides.
Or, it is a sign that your lawn is not being cultivated in a way to best keep weeds from invading.
I can't comment on this without knowing more about your lawn care.
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/lawn-care
Some general ideas to get started. Fertilizer stimulates weeds as much as it does grass. The issue is to make the grass stronger.
Sharpen the mower and set it at its top setting--4 inches-- and leave it there until fall. Taller grass has deeper roots and is more resistant to weeds. Follow the U watering schedule. Frequent shallow watering encourages plants that rely on surface roots. Grass is best when its roots go deep.
It is not too late to overseed but I would need a picture of your lawn and an indication of what is north to suggest a mix.
In the fall, real reseeding.
Finally, I suggest you consider now your interest in a bee lawn or gardens. Those decisions are fundamental to deciding lawn management.
Consider classes from Metrobloooms.org
Congrats on your new home!
