Well-manicured lawns are often a sight to behold. Dandelions present one of the most significant challenges when it comes to maintaining this striking look. In addition to this, they are readily dispersed and can invade your entire lawn.
Do dandelions go away on their own?
No, they don’t. These broadleaf herbaceous plants have tap roots that can spread up to ten inches into the soil. Their deep roots make them hard to get rid of especially with improper or incomplete uprooting. During harsh weather conditions like fall, the roots store food awaiting emergence in spring.
You can be easily fooled to believe that they have gone on their own only to see them re-emerge. Dandelions disperse their seeds readily by way of wind. This is why we have come up with this roundup of the best way to kill dandelions in lawn.
What will kill dandelions but not grass?
Dandelions are weeds growing in your lawn. The logical move would be to use herbicides. However, most herbicides like glyphosate are non-selective in their action. Chances of having both your weed and lawn destroyed are always present. Therefore, it is essential to invest in broadleaf herbicides like Atrazine.
These herbicides have the advantage of selectively getting rid of the broad-leafed plants in your lawn like a dandelion without harming your grass.
What is the best time to spray dandelions?
Given their strong root networks and dispersal, getting rid of these herbs may prove challenging. The most effective method is the one that demolishes it without a change for re-emergence. Spraying with selective broadleaf herbicide is a solution. However, to ensure that the dandelion wholly eradicated, the herbicide should provide that the deep tap roots are destroyed.
The best time to spray the best dandelion killer is during periods of no anticipated precipitation which may dilute or wash away the herbicide effects. Also, it is essential to spray when the dandelions have broad leaves which upon absorbing the herbicide transport it to the roots where the plant is destroyed entirely.
Just before fall is always the ideal time to spray these weeds, it is worthy of note that due to the likelihood of seed dispersal you shouldn’t wait for the herb to produce seeds. The dispersed seeds will readily germinate into other weeds.
Should I spray dandelions before or after mowing?
Spray your herbicide before mowing since it needs to land on the leaves for it to be effective. Once you mow the lawn, you will reduce the effective surface area dandelions present to the spray hence lowering the chances of killing the dandelion.
Will crabgrass preventer kill dandelions?
Crabgrass preventer is a pre-emergent herbicide that often applied to soils that are notoriously prone to crabgrass. While the preventer may assist in killing some of the dandelions, there is inconclusive evidence that it can successfully wipe out the weed especially when it has already emerged.
How to get rid of dandelions without chemicals
Getting rid of dandelions with chemicals may spoil your lawn grass cover through burns. Additional harmful effects of chemicals on the environment are also of concern. To avoid these effects, there are other alternative eco-friendly ways of getting rid of these weeds.
1. Keeping rabbits
Rabbits find nutritional benefits from eating dandelions. These yellow flowers can be adequately cleaned from your lawns by simply rearing few bunnies.
READ ALSO: How To Keep Rabbits Off Your Garden With Ivory Soap
2. Uprooting dandelions
It may be an old fashioned solution to the how to get rid of dandelions permanently solution but if you can successfully unearth the stubborn taproot system without any remnants, then you are good to go. However, this is only possible here the population of dandelion is countable.
In addition to this, you need to water the base of the weed to make the soil easy for complete uprooting. You can invest in a good weed puller to help you cover bigger areas without tiring your back from all the bending.
3. Use vinegar
Killing dandelions in lawn with vinegar works because has acetic acid a natural herbicide. When selectively applied to the roots of these weeds they do total damage. Household vinegar has a lower acid percentage of 5 which can be enhanced by boiling and subsequent application to the plant roots.
4. Salt application
Romans applied salt to the ancient city of Carthage, and nothing ever grew since. This old trick may work wonders. Use of salt to the base of the dandelion causes it to wilt.
Weeding of dandelion is vital in helping your lawn maintain a natural presence. Particular attention should be paid on methods that are environmentally friendly and prevent reemergence.