Common Weeds in Minnesota

Lawn Weeds are Often a Symptom of Other Problems

Is your lawn invaded with weeds? Don’t panic, you’re not alone!

Weed problems are the most common lawn issue for homeowners in Minnesota. Lawn weeds may signal a lawn in distress and could be symptomatic of a soil problem or other condition.

Weeds can flourish in conditions where grass cannot. They tolerate soil compaction, high pH, lack of nutrients, over-watering, under-watering, and heavy shade.
Weed-control treatments can reduce the number of weeds in these locations, but weeds will keep coming back unless the other issues are addressed.
Continuous herbicide application is not good for the environment – nor is it the only answer to getting rid of weeds.

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What Are Lawn Weeds?

Simply put, weeds are plants growing where they’re not welcome. Historically, lawns were comprised of a number of different plants, including grasses, chamomile, clovers, and mosses. The combination of these types of different plants maintained a beneficial level of biodiversity and made lawns easier to maintain using fewer resources.

100% weed-free turfgrass may be your ideal lawn, but that’s difficult (if not impossible) to maintain. In a healthy, vigorous lawn, 90-95% turfgrass is a more reasonable and achievable goal. The small number of weeds left will not be very noticeable in your vibrant, healthy lawn.

Common Broadleaf Weeds in Minnesota

Are you struggling to figure out what type of weeds you have? The most common types of broadleaf weeds in Minnesota are:

When’s the Best Time for Weed Control?

The best time to control and treat broadleaf lawn weeds in Minnesota is when they are actively growing. During the hot and dry summer months, grass may go dormant, and that is when weed problems become very obvious. However, care should be used if applying treatments in these conditions to avoid damaging or “burning” the turf.

Crabgrass is commonly controlled with a pre-emergent in the spring, but can be controlled in the summer if necessary.

Tips for Properly Applying Products for Weed Control

Weed control products can cause damage to desirable plants if they are not used correctly. You will achieve the best results when treatments are combined with other effective weed control strategies. Follow these guidelines when using treatments to control common lawn weeds:

Make sure anyone applying treatments to your property has the appropriate training and licenses.
Make sure that these chemicals are being used as directed – less is more!.
Use caution when applying products under trees and near landscape plants to avoid harming them.
Consider using spot applications to target weeds directly, which can reduce the amount of product put into the environment, and allows you to avoid sensitive areas such as garden beds or play areas.

Good Lawn Care Practices Can Control Weeds

A healthy lawn is tied to proper watering, mowing, and fertilizing. Conversely, poor watering and mowing practices can lead to disease, weed infestation, and a high-maintenance lawn.

Mowing Tips for Controlling Common Weeds in Minnesota

Always use a sharp blade. Dull blades tear grass, which makes it dry out faster and leaves it vulnerable to disease.
Beware of mowing grass too short. Grass is at its best when mowed to a height between 3 and 4 inches.
Do not remove more than 1/3rd of the grass at any mowing. Cutting grass too short can result in shallow roots, which means it will require more water and may be more likely to have disease and weed problems.

Improper mowing can harm your grass, making it easier for weeds to take over. Check out more mowing tips for avoiding weed infestation.

Watering Tips for Controlling Common Weeds in Minnesota

Water deeply and infrequently. Frequent, shallow watering leads to lazy grass with shallow roots. Less frequent, deeper watering leads to deeper roots and greater drought resistance.

Learn more watering tips for a healthy, weed-resistant lawn.

Other Practices for Controlling Weeds

In addition to proper mowing and watering, these lawn maintenance techniques – performed on a regular basis – help keep lawn weeds to a minimum and will maximize the percentage of turfgrass in your yard:

Contact Us for Weed Control

Rainbow Lawncare’s Weed Control Service programs prevent weeds from becoming a problem. If you have concerns about weeds, and you’re in our service area, Rainbow has effective treatments to control them.