Clover and dandelions where grass should be? Here’s how to restore a lawn full of weeds

Key points

• Weeds compete with flowers, vegetables and grass for essential resources, disrupting their growth and health.

• A customized treatment and maintenance can restore a lawn full of weeds.

• Maintenance includes regular cutting, watering and feeding.

As you’re ready to kick off a new lawn care season, you might find yourself less than excited if your yard is dotted with fluffy dandelion heads and other weeds. That backyard oasis you’ve been dreaming of all winter doesn’t materialize on its own. Wish as you may for lush grass, chances are, your yard is probably a bit weedy. 

How do you restore a lawn full of weeds? “Set up a lawn care program before the season starts,” said Marty Teresi, lawn care expert and host of The Grass Station Podcast.

Even if you don’t have a green thumb or you’re a new homeowner with zero lawn care experience, our tips below from experts in lawn care will help you with weed control.

What steps should you take to revive a weed-infested lawn?

Every yard is different, considering soil variations, climate fluctuations, weed growth and grass type. This makes it challenging to produce a standard set of step-by-step instructions for weed removal. However, the following steps are the most important in any lawn care program.

Before getting started, here are the tools you may need:

• Garden hose or sprinkler
• Hand trowel or weed puller
• Handheld or backpack sprayer
• Seed spreader
• Spot treatment applicator
• Weed identification app

Use a preemergent

Start the restoration process by treating your soil with a preemergent — a type of herbicide that prevents weed seeds from germinating and emerging from the ground.

“That’s going to be the first thing you put down in the time range of when your soil temperatures are about 45 to 50 degrees,” said Teresi. “Fifty-five degrees will trigger all of the crabgrass to start growing — that’s why we use preemergent in the spring.”

Feed with fertilizer

Fertilizer provides essential nutrients to plants, and feeding your lawn after applying a preemergent can encourage healthy grass growth and discourage weeds from popping up.

According to Teresi, lawn care isn’t so much about targeting weeds as it is about helping grass grow, which is why fertilizer is key. “That’s the most important part that a lot of people forget — they’ll see weeds in their yard, and they’ll forget to look at the grass,” he said. “What’s more important, that the grass grows or that the weed dies? For me, it’s actually that the grass grows,” Teresi said.

When choosing a lawn fertilizer, consider your lawn’s grass type, soil, climate and specific nutrient needs. Conduct a soil test to determine nutrient deficiencies and pH levels, then select a fertilizer formulation that addresses those deficiencies and matches your lawn’s requirements. 

Identify your weeds

After you’ve primed your soil for weed prevention and grass growth, identify your existing weeds to ensure proper treatment. “When you identify weeds, you know exactly what chemical to use,” Teresi said. “If you can’t identify what you’re attacking, you can’t follow the directions properly.”

There are approximately 8,000 species of plants worldwide that behave as weeds, but only 250 to 300 actually cause problems. As a residential homeowner, you only need to keep tabs on common weed types can be broken down into two main varieties, as follows:

• Broadleaf weeds: These weeds are plants with broad, flat leaves and flowers, such as dandelions and clover. Look for wider leaves with noticeable veins and varying shapes, often with flowers or seed heads.
• Grassy weeds: Weeds resembling grasses in appearance, such as crabgrass and annual bluegrass, comprise grassy weeds. They grow in clumps or mats, with leaves similar to grass blades but differing in color. Look for characteristics such as seed heads and clumping growth patterns.

Apply the right weed killer

While preemergent herbicides are aimed at weed prevention, several other weed killers are available for existing growth. Each has its own target weeds, application methods, and pros and cons.

• Post-emergent herbicides: You can apply these to actively growing weeds, and they’re effective at killing both broadleaf and grassy weeds quickly. However, post-emergent herbicides may harm desirable plants if not applied carefully. Multiple applications may be necessary.
• Selective herbicides: These target specific types of weeds while leaving other plants unharmed. Effectiveness may be limited against certain weed species and require multiple applications.
• Nonselective herbicides: These kill all types of vegetation. They’re suitable for clearing large areas but also kill desirable plants. They’re not appropriate for spot treatments.

Pinpointing the best type of weed killer is a hot topic. “Everyone has a different lawn care goal,” Teresi said. “Some people like to use chemicals; some people have more of an organic approach.”

Whatever weed killer you choose, take the time to read the application instructions and warnings, especially if you’re using more than one type. Teresi recommends always reading labels to see whether the chemicals you’re pairing are compatible. You could end up with patches of dead grass if you’re too aggressive with your weed-killing approach.

Plant new grass

As you eliminate patches of weeds, replace them with grass seed as conditions allow. Be sure to choose the right type of grass for your climate and soil conditions.

Rinse and repeat

Your journey to a weed-free lawn likely isn’t over just yet. “Lawn care is a marathon,” Teresi continued. “You’re not going to fix it in year one. “You’re going to help, but it’s never really fixed, which is kind of a nice thing about lawn care in general.”

Apply more fertilizer and herbicide as conditions require and allow. Reseeding may become part of your regular lawn care routine. Aim for continuous progress over instant perfection.

Why is your lawn full of weeds in the first place?

Before tackling the weeds overtaking your lawn, it could be helpful to understand why they’ve taken root in the first place. From improper watering to mowing too short, here are some reasons weeds have decided to call your yard home:

• Your soil type is attracting the wrong crowd: Different weed species thrive in certain soil conditions, whether it’s acidic, alkaline, clay-based or sandy. You can’t establish a healthy lawn if your soil type is ideal for weeds and not the grass variety that’s best for your growing zone.
• Your yard’s gone through some changes: Taking on construction projects or removing trees can change the balance of shade and sunlight in your yard. If your lawn maintenance isn’t adjusted accordingly, weeds may pop up in new places. 
• Your moisture monitoring is off: Overwater a yard, and you’ll create a damp, fertile environment that weeds love. But fail to water enough, and you’ll weaken the grass, making it easier for weeds to sneak in.
• Your soil is too uptight: When soil becomes dense and compacted, it restricts the flow of air, water and nutrients to your grass and creates an ideal breeding ground for weeds. Aerating the soil helps aerate and alleviate compaction.  
• Your lawn needs more nutrients: At least 18 nutrients or essential elements are required for a thriving lawn. Grass begins to break down without proper nourishment, and weeds take over.

How do you prevent weeds from coming back?

Once you’ve eliminated weeds from your lawn, the last thing you’ll want to see is a new infestation of unwanted growth. To prevent weeds from coming back, make the following tips part of your regular lawn care routine.

Maintain healthy turf

“The best way to attack weeds is with a lush lawn,” Teresi said. You can help every blade in your lawn reach its full potential by implementing proper lawn care practices such as regular mowing and watering.

“When in doubt, mow it out,” said Teresi. Lawn mowing not only removes the leaves of broadleaf weeds — thereby preventing seed formation — but also reduces their ability to absorb sunlight, weakening their growth. Teresi recommends weekly mowing at a minimum if broadleaf weeds are your concern. 

If grassy weeds are an issue, however, regular mowing can encourage their growth. Using a targeted herbicide is ideal in this situation.

As for watering, the proper amount depends on climate, soil type and grass species. For established lawns, 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall, is a good starting benchmark.

Invest in mulch

Mulch inhibits weed germination and growth. According to Lush Lawns, a Latrobe, Pennsylvania-based lawn care company, the best type of mulch to use in your lawn depends on your location and the where in the yard you’re using it.

One of the most common types of mulch used in lawns to keep weeds at bay is organic matter, such as shredded bark, wood chips or compost. These materials create a protective barrier that prevents weed seeds from germinating and adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down over time.

Perform regular weed control

Manually inspect your yard and garden on a regular basis. Remove any emerging weeds right away. Manual techniques, such as hand-pulling, are effective for small weeds if you remove the entire root system. You may need to use a trowel to remove the entire weed, such as a dandelion, which has a deeper root system. 

Stay ahead of weed growth

Part of preventive maintenance is preparing rather than attacking. Teresi suggests staying two seasons ahead. In the fall, plan out your spring lawn care routine — and while you’re carrying that plan out, start thinking about the fall.

Teresi recommends keeping a journal. Log the treatments you’re using, when you’re applying, and whether they are effective. This way, you’ll have a simple way to analyze your results and better prepare for the next growing season.

Should you hire a lawn care professional?

Not all lawns require professional treatments or maintenance. Many people enjoy maintaining their yards and have the skill set to keep their lawns weed-free on their own. But in some scenarios, hiring a lawn care professional is better. 

Before deciding between DIY lawn care and hiring a professional, you should know the pros and cons of each approach. DIY lawn care can be cost-effective and satisfying (if successful). However, it requires time, effort and knowledge. Mistakes can lead to wasted resources and worse results.

On the other hand, hiring a professional offers expertise, convenience and peace of mind. It comes with a financial investment, but outsourcing weed control services offers customized solutions and consistent care.

“No one’s going to care about your property more than you. But if you don’t have the skill for lawn care, reach out to the people that do,” said Teresi. “If you’re hiring somebody to do your treatments, I encourage you to ask questions and stay informed.”

What’s next?

“When we buy a house, the only living organism that we actually purchase is the lawn,” said Teresi. “It needs us to take care of it.” Reviving a lawn full of weeds requires a combination of proactive measures, customized treatments and ongoing maintenance. 

Start by analyzing your yard and fixing immediate problems such as hard, compact soil. Treat problem areas as needed with herbicides and mow your lawn at least once per week, watering and feeding it well in between. Finally, stay ahead of next season’s weeds by maintaining a year-round lawn care routine.

If you’re struggling to grow a healthy and green lawn, consider consulting a professional lawn care company for tailored solutions and consistent care.

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