Dandelions are one of the hardest weeds to rid your lawn of. They are spread by the wind and rains as well as have one of the longest root systems known. Removal of these roots is very difficult because of their brittle features. They break in many different places which only allow more of them to spring into action. Here are some ideas on how to kill them without damaging your lawn.
Killing Dandelions with Herbicides
It is not an option to pull dandelions in order to rid your lawn of them so you must resort to other means. Herbicides are a good choice but before you try the chemical route think about using a natural remedy. Vinegar is a natural dandelion killer. The acetic acid in it is what gives it the herbicidal strength to kill the plant and roots. Don’t try to use your table vinegar unless you boil it down to increase its strength. You will need something that is much stronger. Chemical herbicides are best used in non-grassy areas such as between slabs of sidewalks. They will definitely kill your grass as well because there is no herbicide that will kill only one specific weed regardless what the label says.
Using Herbicides
The best time to kill dandelions with herbicides is in the fall. This is because they lie dormant during the cold months and the herbicides have much more time to work. During the fall, the nutrients of the dandelion are transferred from the leaves to the roots. This is the best time to spray them and allow the solution to work its magic. The herbicides are absorbed by the leaves and literally sucked down to the roots. Do not mow several days prior to spraying the plant. The larger the surface area is the more the solution will absorb, and then wait another two to three days before you mow in order to allow time for the solution to be transferred.
Preventative Dandelion Practices
Learning how to prevent dandelions is a major help to your lawn. Take some steps to prevent them before they seemingly permeate your lawn with spores.
- Leave your grass clippings on the lawn so that they act like mulch. This will prevent the seeds of many weeds from germinating.
- Mow your lawn high enough so the grass can protect itself. You should leave your grass at least two and one half or three inches high.
- When you find a bare spot in your lawn, make sure you seed it immediately. Bare spots are the dandelion hotel and they never throw their tenants out.
Edible Dandelions
Although dandelions are a viscous plant, they are also edible, each and every part of them. They are very beneficial for its medicinal properties as well as culinary purposes. Before killing them off, maybe you should ask yourself if it would be more beneficial to pick them and use their qualities for healing and cooking or rid your lawn of the pesky little things once and for all.
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