Crabgrass and Broadleaf Weed Killer Treatments for Your Putnam County, NY, Lawn

Crabgrass, dandelions, and plantain are pesky annual nuisances that require a strong-arm treatment in your landscape. When your Putnam County, NY, lawn is a source of pride for you, you will want to look into weed killer options and get rid of those weeds as promptly as possible.

Crabgrass

Crabgrass may drop its seeds fairly early in the season for an appearance in the summer and fall. As an annual weed, it dies each year. Called crabgrass because of its long blades that bend over the ground like a crab’s legs, crabgrass is resistant to foot traffic and sits just under the mower blades. It thrives in the hot summer sun with very little water, and leaves seeds on the ground in the fall before it dies. Even when you treat your lawn for crabgrass, the seeds can migrate over from a neighbor’s yard to start the process again.

Related: Crabgrass vs. Quackgrass: What’s the Difference?

Broadleaf Weeds

Broadleaf weeds like dandelions and plantain can change lush, green lawns into bumpy, uneven terrain. Just one dandelion can produce 15,000 seeds. They are annuals, meaning that they come back year after year because they leave seeds behind.

Related: 4 Secrets About Weed Killer from a Landscaper in Pleasant Valley, NY

Weed Killer Treatments

As you consider your options for ridding your lawn of weeds, you will want to know some important facts about them: For one, they have a life cycle, which means that some die every year and others go dormant and rebloom. Weed treatments generally need to be applied at certain times of the year, but some weed killers are more effective than others—one type of treatment does not necessarily work for any kind of weed. And applying the proper amount at the correct time is crucial to controlling weeds.

Crabgrass and broadleaf weeds present a particular challenge. They lay in wait for a bare spot or stressed conditions in the grass before overrunning the lawn. For successful treatment, it is necessary to identify the types of weeds so that the right type of weed control can be effectively applied.

For crabgrass, the solution can be the application of a pre-emergent weed killer that keeps seeds from germinating in the spring. Broadleaf weed killers are usually very effective when applied correctly and at the right time.

If a few dandelions or other broadleaf weeds pop up in your Putnam County, NY, lawn, you can pull them out of the ground. But a more effective method is the application of a selective weed killer for broadleaf weeds that can be applied directly to the weed. Keep in mind that broadleaf weed killer does not kill crabgrass—for that weed, pre-emergent crabgrass killer is what is needed.

Lawn experts know exactly what treatment to apply to eliminate weeds—either proactively before the season begins or after the fact if the weeds have crept up. A five-step lawn fertilization program, which includes a weed killer component, can keep your yard in tip-top shape. Spring is usually the opportune time to apply pre-emergent weed killer to remove any potential broadleaf weeds and crabgrass. Then it becomes time to control grubs. Fertilizer applications twice a year can also help to keep the lawn looking fresh and healthy and free of weeds.