There is no one-size-fits-all approach to lawn weed control. Different weeds will require different solutions to be most effective. While it might seem like pulling weeds will always solve the problem, even this is not true.
In fact, in some cases, pulling weeds can make the problem worse!
In this article, we’ll dive into pulling vs. spraying weeds and how to decide which is best.
Understanding weed control best practices will help set you up for optimal success!
Hand-pulling weeds can sometimes be a quick and effective way to get rid of weeds. The problem is, there are some weeds where hand-pulling actually stimulates new growth.
Certain weeds, like nutgrass, will spread when pulled. That’s because nutgrass (aka nutsedge) grows via underground tubers and nutlets. When a weed is pulled, this can stimulate those dormant underground tubers to sprout and spread!
In addition to stimulating growth, pulling weeds can also spread their seeds, creating even more weeds than before. Some might compare weed pulling to sweeping up glitter. It never goes away.
Jostling and disturbing weeds when you pull them can cause seeds to be sprayed into the air.
In fact, the slightest disturbance of a weed can cause thousands of seeds to fly all over your lawn. Whether that disturbance comes from you mowing, the wind blowing or even a bird walking, the seeds are being spread. Sometimes you can even wake up dormant weed seeds by digging in the ground to remove or plant new material.
Dormant weed seeds lurking in your soil are one of the biggest challenges in long-term weed control.
These seeds can lie buried for years, waiting for the right conditions to sprout. They can also remain dormant in the soil since their hard coats protect them from decay, extreme temperatures, and moisture loss.
This is why spraying weeds is typically the best practice.
When comparing pulling vs. spraying weeds, spraying does not carry the risks of pulling.
Spraying is effective because the product is absorbed through the leaves and translocated to the roots, a process by which it moves through the plant. This allows the weed control product to kill the entire plant, down to the roots.
As we’ve explained above, when you pull weeds, you risk stimulating new growth amongst weeds that spread underground. You also risk spreading seeds when disturbing the weeds.
Keep in mind that mowing weeds isn’t the answer either. That still leaves pieces in the ground.
Mowing down weeds doesn’t remove the root, so they regrow a few days later.
Honestly, whenever possible, you want to prevent weeds from germinating in the first place with pre-emergent controls (which we’ll talk about further along). If you don’t remove weeds like crabgrass or chickweed before they seed, then those thousands of seeds they produce have already been disbursed, which means they’ll return next season.
Let's keep this simple: torching weeds is not better than spraying them.
Torching weeds (also referred to as “flame weeding”) involves hitting weeds with intense heat, usually from a propane torch. This can kill weeds, but it can lead to problems, too.
In fact, torching weeds poses significant risks and is not recommended. It can start a more serious fire. It can also kill the lawn areas around the weeds, as this is a non-selective approach to weed control in lawns.
If you are serious about weed control best practices, we recommend spraying.
But keep in mind that spraying isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Certain weeds will respond better to certain controls. And there are some weeds that require specialty controls and highly targeted applications.
To achieve the most success, your weed control program needs to be varied. After all, we have many different types of weeds here in North Mississippi. Our climate makes weed problems highly prevalent.
To think that a singular approach will work is ultimately short-sighted.
You want to make sure that your weed control arsenal includes a mix of pre-emergent and post-emergent controls. Many grassy weeds do respond to pre-emergents that help prevent germination in the first place. This is the best weed-control strategy for crabgrass and annual bluegrass.
But many weeds are resistant to pre-emergents or so aggressive that they keep breaking through. This is why post-emergents are also important.
On top of all that, some weeds may require specialty controls. Nutsedge is an example of a weed that requires specialty control.
We can use these specialty controls to specifically target nutgrass without harming the rest of your lawn. It’s not uncommon for this to require repeated applications and for nutsedge to return in future years. It’s one of those tough-to-control weeds that can be frustrating.
Along with a varied weed-control approach, you also want to make sure you’re practicing good lawn care habits, like proper mowing and watering. When you mow your lawn too short, the lawn can become stressed and more prone to weed growth.
In addition, when you don’t water your lawn properly, you risk creating an environment that is better for weeds than for healthy grass.
Taking steps to grow a thick, healthy lawn will help naturally choke out weeds. A thick lawn will make it more challenging for weeds to creep in. Lawn fertilization can play a valuable role in promoting a thick and healthy lawn.
So, you didn’t hand-pull weeds initially, but now you’re wondering if you need to remove them after spraying.
While you can do this, you must wait until the full translocation process has completed. This is not immediate and it can take a few days to even several weeks, depending on the type of weed and the product used.
If you pull weeds after spraying them, you risk tearing them too soon, before the product has had a chance to kill the entire weed. This could lead to some of the problems already discussed (like spreading weed seeds or stimulating new growth).
It’s also just not necessary as weeds will get mowed down.
When it comes to employing weed control best practices, you’ll want to partner with the right lawn care professional. There’s nothing better than having a professional take over these services, as they’ll have access to the best weed control products and also be trained in the best approaches.
Your options certainly aren’t limited when it comes to lawn care and weed control in Tupelo, Oxford, and New Albany, MS. Many companies in our region offer these services. However, you want to be sure you choose a company that will treat you right.
You don’t want to have to make phone calls that go unanswered or work with a revolving door of technicians. You simply want to find a lawn care partner that you can trust.
At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we’re ready to help.
We can provide a complete, proactive lawn care program that includes everything you need to keep your lawn strong: proper fertilization, preemergent and post-emergent herbicide weed control strategies, aeration, insect and disease control scouting, and tips on proper mowing and watering.
When you have a professional eye on your property who can recognize common lawn weeds in North Mississippi immediately and know how to address them, you can keep weeds in check before they get out of hand.
Ready to learn why Lawn & Pest Solutions could be your choice for lawn care services in North Mississippi? We’re excited to learn more about you and help you have the best lawn on the block. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we can prepare a customized plan for you and your lawn.