How to Get Rid Of and Prevent Dandelions

There are multiple methods for getting rid of dandelions on your lawn. If you don’t want to use an herbicide, you can manually remove the dandelion by either hand pulling the plant or using a tool. When hand-pulling dandelions, it is important to completely remove both the plant and its taproot to avoid them coming back. If the taproot is not pulled out completely, it can cause the growth of a new dandelion plant. To ensure you remove the entire plant, we recommend using a weeding tool to help dig deep into the soil and pulling the dandelion when the soil is moist, as this is when it’s easiest. It’s best to pull the dandelion when it’s young, as the older the plant gets the deeper the taproot will extend into the soil making it harder to remove.

Herbicide

Another method for getting rid of dandelions is using broadleaf weed control, such as Jonathan Green Weed & Feed. While some homeowners prefer using liquid herbicides to spot spray weeds, granular herbicides like Weed & Feed, offer great benefits, as they are cost-effective, easy to apply to the whole yard, and often contain fertilizer. This product feeds your lawn for up to three months and controls weeds down to the roots in one, easy step.

Using a rotary or drop lawn spreader, apply Jonathan Green Weed & Feed to a damp lawn to ensure the granules properly adhere to the weed. Only apply to lawns that haven’t been mowed in over 48 hours so that the product can better adhere to the weed leaves. Do not apply this product in temperatures 85°F or above as the fertilizer can burn your lawn. If rain is expected one to two days after application, wait to apply as this can cause the granules to be washed away and diminish the effectiveness of the product. Once applied, ensure there is no traffic or rain to your lawn for at least 24 to 48 hours post-application.

If you have a severe dandelion infestation, wait at least four weeks after applying Weed & Feed, then apply Lawn Weed Control to help kill actively growing weeds. This product can be applied any time between spring and fall and doesn’t contain fertilizer, so you won’t run the risk of burning your lawn.

How to Prevent Dandelions

Use Corn Gluten

One effective prevention method is using organic pre-emergent weed control. Using one with corn gluten, such as Jonathan Green Corn Gluten Weed Preventer plus Lawn Food, will help to control the dandelion plant prior to germination and prevent it from forming roots.

Maintain a Healthy Lawn

The best method of controlling lawn weeds is always prevention! Growing and maintaining a healthy, thick lawn will crowd out dandelions and other lawn weeds and prevent them from being a recurring problem. The keys to a healthy lawn are paying attention to soil health, fertilizing regularly, and keeping a consistent mowing and watering schedule.

Test Soil pH

Soil with unbalanced pH can be a breeding ground for dandelions and other lawn weeds. As dandelions tend to thrive in acidic soils, this can be an indicator that you need to test and adjust your lawn’s soil pH. A healthy lawn has a soil pH between 6.2 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). Use Jonathan Green Mag-I-Cal for Lawns in Acidic Soil which is specially formulated with calcium carbonate, a soluble form of lime to help rapidly raise soil pH.

Fertilize

Fertilizing can also help to encourage a healthy, thick lawn that can crowd out dandelions and other lawn weeds. Applying Jonathan Green Veri-Green Lawn Fertilizer in early spring, once soil temperatures have reached 45°F, will help feed the lawn and promote a stronger root system to grow a thicker, greener lawn that will crowd out existing weeds and prevent future weeds from growing.

Mow and Water Your Lawn Regularly

Keeping a consistent mowing and watering schedule is also a key practice to help prevent lawn weeds. When mowing, adjust mower height to three to four inches to help the grass grow taller, limiting sunlight, water, and nutrients from getting to the weed seeds. Leave clippings on the lawn instead of bagging them for added nutrition. Watering your lawn deeply and infrequently (one to two times a week) will also help to encourage roots to grow stronger and deeper growing a thicker, healthier lawn.

Looking for help with your lawn? Contact Monnick Supply!

Source: jonathangreen.com