Overview

Ugh, weeds! How to control them. They're the scourge of homeowners everywhere: those dandelions, crabgrass, and clumps of clover that appear out of nowhere. It's not fair, after all the work you put into your lawn. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to take care of weeds in your yard.

How to help a lawn that's full of weeds 

When it almost seems as though you have more broadleaf weeds than grass in your yard, you can still get the lawn you want. For best results, try the Scotts® line of weed control products.

How to help a lawn with a few weeds 

When you see a broadleaf weed here and there, it's tempting just to pull them out by hand. Trouble is, the roots often break, and the parts that remain sprout new weeds. You're better off using a product like Scotts® Weed B Gon MAX. A weed control product labeled safe for lawns will target weeds and leave the lawn unharmed when used as directed. 

Spring Weed Prevention 

Annual grassy weeds, like crabgrass, can be prevented in the spring so they don't become a problem in the summer. Applying a pre-emergent weed control, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Weed & Feed in the spring, stops the weed seeds before they germinate. 

Proper Lawn Care Is The Best Medicine 

When your lawn is stressed, it's ripe for takeover by weeds. A few simple steps can protect it.

1. Deep Watering: Watering deeply and infrequently helps your lawn compete by encouraging deeper root growth.
2. Set your lawn mower higher: Mowing at the proper height, usually one of the 2 highest setting on your mower, helps the grass grow thick to shade weed seeds, so it's harder for them to grow.
3. Proper Feeding: Feeding at regularly, like every 6-8 weeks during the growing season with

Weeds Defined

A weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. Lawn weeds belong to one of three categories: broadleaf, grassy, or grass-like. A typical broadleaf weed is a dandelion. Crabgrass is in the grassy weed category, while nutsedge would be classified as a grass-like weed.