8 Reasons Why Your Weeds Keep Coming Back (And How to Get Control of Them)

Weeds are some of the worst things to find on your lawn. They ruin your perfect lawn picture. And who wants a blemish or multiple blemishes on their gorgeous, green lawn?

And, worse, once you have them, it seems like weeds keep returning. You might think you just eliminated some weeds, and before you know it, they are staring you in the face again. It’s like you have special weeds that won’t die. It can be extremely frustrating.

We completely understand.

There are many reasons weeds keep coming back, including:

• Dormant Weed Seeds in Soil
• Ineffective Weed Removal
• Spreading Through Wind and Animals
• Mowing Incorrectly
• Poor Soil Conditions
• Using the Wrong Weed Control Methods
• Weather Conditions
• Not Employing a Weed Control Professional

But the fact that weeds are resilient doesn’t mean you must accept them in your North Mississippi yard.

Let’s talk about these 8 reasons why it seems like your lawn has weeds that won’t die and what you can do to better manage and keep weeds out of your grass.

8 Scenarios That Lead to More Weeds in Lawns

Weeds are survivors. Sometimes, their seeds will sit dormant for years before the right conditions enable them to erupt. This is one of the characteristics that makes weeds so annoying.

This is why it’s best to have all the options available when developing a weed-control strategy for your lawn.

Here, we’ll examine why weeds keep returning so you can better understand how to keep them away.

Dormant Weed Seeds in Soil

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.

For instance, dandelion seeds are lightweight, meaning they can spread easily and lay dormant for years, and crabgrass seeds can survive in the soil for up to five years before sprouting.

Once they are disturbed or exposed to sunlight, these weed seeds can germinate, and before you know it, you have weeds you didn’t even know were lurking there.

Ineffective Weed Removal

Weeds are not made to be easy to remove, that’s for sure.

They are made with taproots, rhizomes, or tubers that store energy underground so they can regrow. So if you pull a weed out by hand and leave even a small root fragment behind, that weed can sprout a new plant.

And if you mow weeds, this doesn’t remove the root, so they regrow a few days later. And 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.

Fully removing weeds is the key to long-term weed control.

Spreading Through Wind and Animals

Another thing that keeps weeds from coming back is their ability to spread.

Many weeds produce light, fluffy seeds that the wind can carry great distances. That’s one of the reasons weeds can seem to pop out of nowhere, even in well-maintained lawns.

Weeds can also spread through water via rain runoff, irrigation systems, or flooding.

Animals like birds, insects, and mammals also participate in weed dispersal. Don’t blame the animals, though. Some weed seeds have sticky barbs or hooks that can attach to animal fur, feathers, or pet collars, enabling them to travel long distances.

Unfortunately, you can even move weed seeds via lawn tools or shoes. Weeds are nature’s ultimate survivors.

Mowing Incorrectly

Mowing improperly can cause more problems than it solves, especially regarding weed control.

Why? When you mow incorrectly, grass loses its ability to produce energy efficiently, leading to weak, sparse growth. This exposes the soil to sunlight, creating the perfect conditions for germinating weed seeds.

More sunlight on the soil and less competition from healthy grass encourage weed growth.

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine should be mowed to 1.5 to 3-inch heights.

To avoid stressing your grass, never remove more than one-third of the blade at any one time. Remember to also use sharp mower blades to avoid tearing your grass.

Poor Soil Conditions

Compacted soil can favor weeds over desirable grass. Weeds can thrive in compacted, nutrient-deficient soil where other plants struggle.

Aerating annually and fertilizing regularly can help promote a healthy lawn, reducing lawn weeds.

Core aeration is when you use a special machine called an aerator to pull small soil cores or plugs from your lawn. Those cores are then deposited across the lawn as the machine works, breaking down over the next week or so to redeposit organic matter into your lawn’s soil. Aeration breaks up compacted soil, allowing oxygen, water, and nutrients to nourish your lawn roots.

In North Mississippi, warm-season grasses actively grow from early May to late July, which is the best time to aerate each year.

Using the Wrong Weed Control Methods

Not all weed control methods are created equal. Using the wrong approach can result in dealing with weeds that will not die.

Some products only kill what you see, while others target weeds before they emerge. This is the difference between preemergent and postemergent herbicides. Using them correctly is essential to maintaining a weed-free lawn.

On top of using the wrong product for the weed problem you have, you can also apply them at the wrong time. All this means is you’ve wasted time and money fighting weeds without benefiting from positive results.

Weather Conditions

In North Mississippi, the climate is ideal for lawn weeds to flourish.

This region has mild winters, wet springs, and hot and humid summers, which contribute to persistent weed growth.

Unlike in northern states where hard freezes can kill off some weeds, North Mississippi’s milder winters allow cool-season weeds like chickweed, henbit, and poa annua to thrive.

Perennial weeds like dandelions, clover, and thistle can survive through the winter and return stronger in spring. And annual weeds like crabgrass and goosegrass take advantage of warm soil and moisture in early spring, quickly spreading before your lawn can grow thick enough to choke them out.

Not Employing a Weed Control Professional

Weeds are pretty smart, but lawn care professionals are smarter.

They study the weeds in North Mississippi, know how to treat certain weeds, and deliver the right product with the right equipment at the right time to eradicate them.

But it takes more than that to stop weeds in lawns. To keep weeds away, it takes a balanced approach of fertilization, weed control, and proper management practices such as mowing and watering, as well as properly timed preemergent applications with postemergent herbicides applied only as needed.

A lawn care company can provide all of this. Not bringing one on board when you have pervasive weeds can be a big reason your weeds won’t disappear.

Get Ahead of Weeds in North Mississippi  

Ready to tackle weeds before they take over your North Mississippi lawn?

If you see weeds emerge and you can’t seem to get a handle on them, know that you’re not alone. Weeds keep coming back for a reason, and they have a lot of factors in their favor.

But with the right strategies, you can keep weeds away.

Give Lawn & Pest Solutions a call. We can help you by providing 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.