While weeds are a normal feature in most lawns, there's no denying they can spoil the look of an otherwise smooth, green expanse.
Understanding what has caused the weeds and why they've taken hold is partly the key to removing them successfully, along with learning how to do it in such a way that your lawn doesn't look like it's been destroyed.
It can be a common lawn care problem when summer arrives, but the good news is armed with some expert advice and the right products, it's a job you can tackle with ease – and achieve some great results.
1. Pull up weeds manually
Perennial weeds like dandelions can be dug out by hand or lifted using a clever weeding tool. These are designed to make weeding as low-effort as possible by spiking around the weed and ripping up the entire plant and roots in one go. This causes minimal disturbance to the surrounding grass.
However, digging up weeds can leave bare patches in your lawn which provide a space for more weeds to pop up if left unattended. Make sure you lay turf, or reseed as soon as you get rid of the weeds. Try this Westland Lawn Thickener 80m2 Box from Amazon which is excellent for patching, and currently reduced by 31% to £7.62.
Remove weeds with ease, all while standing up tall, with this simple weed remover tool
2. Apply targeted granular chemicals
Weed killers such as 'weed and feed' treatments are usually quick fixes, and if the underlying causes of weeds aren't dealt with, the problem will return. However, if you are set on using chemical methods to get rid of weeds in your lawn, then be sure that you are using the right product. Never use generic weed killers as these will likely kill the grass as well.
Combined weed and feed products which also contain chemicals to kill moss in lawns are available and a better option. They are granular products which can be applied by hand or using a spreader. Aim for a light and even coverage using the pack's instructions as a guide. Mow your lawn a couple of days before application and do so on a dry day when the soil is partially moist.
Although these products won't kill grass, they may damage other garden plants, so be sure to take measures to prevent any spread to your borders.
This 4-in-1 product will kill weeds such as dandelions, white clover and moss to help create a thicker, greener and healthier lawn
3. Don't cut your grass too short
To maintain a lush lawn and prevent weed re-growth, it’s important not to cut the grass too short. "Cutting your grass too short weakens it and lets sunlight reach weed seeds, which encourages them to grow," advises Jane Dobbs, a garden expert at Allan's Gardeners.
During the summer months, raise the blades slightly higher so that you can leave your grass a little longer, and remember to sharpen lawnmower blades to deliver the cleanest and healthiest cut. Lawn mowers which tug on the grass can weaken the roots and leave an environment for weeds to appear.
If you're looking for a new lawnmower, this Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawnmower is currently on sale on Amazon for under £200 and covers lawns up to 400m2.
Responsible for leading the gardening team at Allan's Gardeners, a landscaping and garden maintenance, business who undertake lawn care and installation. She has 10 years experience as a gardener.
4. Sand your lawn to improve growing conditions
Using sand on lawns is especially good if you find your lawn plagued with moss. Moss hates sandy soils and lawn sands contain iron sulphates which kill moss and ammonia which feeds grass.
Sand can also help to improve drainage and soil conditions, in turn helping to boost the overall health of your lawn.
Try spreading this organic Jazooli 25L Sandy Loam Top Soil Dressing from Amazon (reduced to £12.66) to improve the condition of your lawn. For the best results in terms of getting rid of moss growth, apply between April and May or August and September.
5. Embrace nature and leave them be
On the other hand, if you have a more eco-friendly approach to gardening, you're not alone. The Lawn Association in the UK is a strong advocate for chemical-free approaches to lawn care. "The truth is, weeds have a place in a healthy lawn. But the harmful chemicals used to eradicate them do not," says Chairman, David Hedges-Gower, telling us how, "a more natural approach respects the balance of nature and eliminates unnecessary damage to both our lawns and the environment."
Common lawn weeds to look out for are dandelions, daisies, creeping buttercups and clover. However, some gardeners may not see the problem with these perennial wildflower weeds and may choose to leave them in place, in particular clover which it's claimed can reduce the need for fertiliser.
Graham Smith MClhort, a former gardening expert at LBS Horticulture reminds us that the more plants you have growing in your lawn, the more biodiverse it will be. "Some weeds also produce flowers, such as dandelions, that will attract pollinators to your garden and allowing these to grow will make your garden more wildlife-friendly."
Graham has extensive knowledge in the horticultural and gardening industries, and prides himself on using this to help gardeners of all skills create their perfect outdoor space.
What causes weeds in lawns?
"Several things can cause weeds to take over your lawn," explains Jane Dobbs. "A neglected lawn can turn weak and thin without regular care, giving weeds a chance to take over. It's also easy for weeds to spread through airborne seeds, animals, or even contaminated soil, making it hard to get rid of them once they're established," she expands.
In addition, we can all be guilty of making summer lawn care mistakes which can lead to problems too.
"When your grass is weak or thin, weeds can easily establish themselves. If the grass isn't fed, watered, or mowed properly, this can happen. When soil is compacted, grassroots struggle to grow, allowing weeds to grow. A compacted soil also keeps water, air, and nutrients from getting to the grass roots," advises Jane.
Graham Smith MClhort, shares some additional reasons:
- Cutting grass too short: If you mow the lawn too short or scalp the edges, this creates favourable conditions for certain weeds that will pop up in thinned-out areas.
- Soil health: If the soil health of your lawn is struggling, this can also affect the amount of weeds that will grow in your lawn. If the soil is healthy, your lawn will be able to use the nutrients found within it. Similarly, soil pH can impact the amount of weeds that you will find in your lawn, as healthy grass may not grow as well in lower pH soils but weeds may actually prefer it.
- Too much shade: If a lawn does not receive enough sunlight, it is unlikely that it will grow to be healthy. Grass needs at least five hours of sunlight a day to grow, compared to many weeds that can grow in shaded areas.
- Diseases or pests: If your lawn is already struggling due to a problem involving diseases or pests, this can make it easier for weeds to take over.
The best way to ensure weeds don't take over your lawn
In summary, good lawn maintenance all year-round is one of the most important measures to keeping weeds out of lawns in the first place.
"It takes consistent care, and some preventative measures to keep weeds out of your lawn," says Jane Dobbs. "A healthy lawn, properly mowed, watered, and fertilised, will naturally suppress weed growth. Keep your lawn mowed at the right height for your grass type. Grass that's taller shades the soil, making it harder for weeds to grow,"
"Water your lawn deeply but less often so your roots grow deep. This makes the grass more competitive against weeds. I don't recommend shallow watering, which encourages weak grass and weeds."
"The best way to keep your lawn healthy is to aerate it once a year to relieve soil compaction, improve drainage, and let nutrients reach the roots. A healthy soil supports stronger grass, which beats weeds. Add mulch to bare spots or garden beds to stop weeds from growing. By blocking sunlight, mulch helps keep weeds at bay.
"Watch out for new weeds and get rid of them right away. It's easiest to stop weeds from spreading by spot-treating them," says Jane.
"Scarifying and feeding, as well as re-seeding and re-turfing bare patches before weeds can begin to sprout, is advisable too," says Graham Smith MClhort. "And, if you have flowering weeds present within the lawn, deadheading these can also prevent them from self-seeding," he adds.
If weeds are present beyond your grass areas and have cropped up in other parts of your garden you may also find our guide on how to remove weeds from gravel useful.
Or, if your outside seating areas are looking less than pristine, follow the advice in how to remove weeds from your patio.
