Any lawn enthusiast or weekend warrior will tell you quickly and in a hurry that weeds are their arch-nemesis. No matter how well a lawn is cared for or what type of regular maintenance it enjoys, weeds are bound to pop up from time to time. Left unchecked, weeds will proliferate and take over your once gorgeous lawn. Most lawn care enthusiasts have their preferred method of weed control. Some people pull them out by hand, while others prefer to use weed killer for lawns to stop the spread.
You may be wondering, “Why is it important anyway?” Sure, weeds are pesky unwanted vegetation, but what’s the big deal? Well, weeds are parasitic plants that cause major turf damage, and many are poisonous to children and pets. There are more than 5,000 different varieties of weeds, and some can have a lethal neurotoxic effect if ingested. Yes, I said lethal. Other weeds produce toxic chemicals or cause severe allergic reactions that can make your family miserable.
If this isn’t reason enough to do away with the weeds in your yard, here are four additional important reasons to eliminate those pesky parasites.
1. Attractive Aesthetics
The aesthetics of your yard include elements of form and function that increase perceived beauty. The functionality, design, and enjoyment people experience in your yard are improved or increased with great aesthetics. The pleasing environment of a gorgeous vibrant lawn positively impacts the surrounding atmosphere and the people who spend time there.
Weeds and other unwanted vegetation are not only unsightly, but they reduce the satisfaction and enjoyment experienced while spending time in your yard. Eliminating the weed population in your yard improves the aesthetics and positively enhances the ambiance. You may be tempted to sit outside and read a book or invite friends and neighbors for a get together.
2. Improved Lawn Health
Actively growing grass requires an insane amount of energy along with adequate resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. It also requires regular care and maintenance to stay in top shape. When weeds move in and begin to proliferate, they compete with your healthy grass for resources. Weeds germinate and establish root systems using water and essential nutrients taken from your healthy turf. Your lush green grass continues to grow but with less water and vital nutrients.
Over time your turf grows gradually weaker and more susceptible to invasion until it begins to die. Unwanted pests and diseases find weakened grass welcoming and easy to invade. Using weed killer for lawns to control the propagation of weeds and unwanted vegetation is the best way to ensure that your grass and desired landscaping consistently get the critical nutrients and resources necessary for survival.
3. Prohibits Unwanted Pests and Diseases
Strong healthy grass with a deeply established root system is often able to withstand an invasion of unwanted pests, diseases, and weeds through various protective mechanisms. Thick green grass with strong roots can choke out unwanted vegetation and prevent nomadic weed seeds from germinating. Some weeds eventually become established from time to time, but strong, healthy turf can prevent proliferation.
Weeds also tend to harbor unwanted pests and dangerous diseases that can wreak havoc on your beautiful lawn. They act as vectors transporting harmful pathogens like fungi, bacteria, and viruses that interfere with the cellular function and metabolism of the grass on your turf. Eventually, the symptoms of the disease appear and begin to spread across a weakened lawn.
Furthermore, a flourishing lawn with rich deep color provides a balanced ecosystem for beneficial bugs that can help control or eradicate damage-causing pests. For instance, praying mantises and ground beetles feed on nuisance insects that chew through grass, causing damage. The earthworm life cycle helps aerate and enrich the soil, feeding your gorgeous turf valuable nutrients. Invasive weed species interrupt this delicate self-sustaining ecosystem and should be immediately eliminated.
4. Increased Property Value
Eliminating weeds from your lawn not only turns your yard into an oasis where you’ll enjoy spending time but also makes your home more attractive to potential buyers. A weed-free golf course-style lawn that is aesthetically appealing helps increase the value of your property. Using weed killer for lawns to help maintain weed-free turf can enhance your home’s curb appeal while improving the front entryway’s ambiance.
Studies show that listed homes with clean, simple landscaping fetch an average of 20 percent more than their unkept counterparts. That equates to $60k on a median home price of $300k, quite a bit more than chump change. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimates that simple lawn maintenance, including regular mowing and eradicating weeds, offers an incredible 104 percent return on investment (ROI).
5. Quality Maintenance
The thick beautiful grass that makes up vibrant, healthy lawns doesn’t happen by chance, and it isn’t produced overnight. Consistent maintenance and care that includes regular mowing and weed killer for lawns help keep the turf in fighting form. During peak growing season, lawns may require cutting multiple times weekly. They also need adequate amounts of water to ensure root systems can absorb vital nutrients from the soil efficiently.
The best defense against weeds is thick luscious grass with a strong, deeply established root system that can choke out potential weeds before they can compete for valuable resources. Weeds will pop up from time to time, even in the best-kept yards. When they do, using the right weed killer for lawns can help eradicate them before they propagate and cause serious problems.
6. Choosing Weed Killer for Lawns
Weed killer for lawns is most effective when properly applied at the right time. It’s important to properly identify the type of grass you have in your yard, along with the variety of weeds you’ll be targeting. This will help you choose a product that will work for your needs. Most weed-killing products clearly list the targeted weed species and safety information on the product label.
Weed killers are divided into pre-emergent and post-emergent products. Pre-emergents help prevent seeds from germinating, while post-emergent weed killers for lawns target established weeds that are actively growing. You’ll also need to choose between a granular product and a liquid product. Both have clear advantages.
7. Controlling Weeds
Weed killers for lawns should be part of a regular maintenance and lawn care program. Weed killers will help eliminate weeds and unwanted vegetation in your yard, but they should really be used to buy time. Kill pesky weeds and prevent them from propagating while you strengthen your lawn and its root system. The best long-term solution for controlling weeds and unwanted vegetation is to have a thick healthy lawn that prevents weeds from competing for resources.
