Weeds are an unfortunate part of daily life when dealing with any lawn. Although Zoysia grass chokes out most summer weeds, there are times that you might find they have invaded your space. A few common weeds that you might encounter are:
- Crabgrass – it’s everywhere, preying on the weak and is prolific. It thrives along the edges of driveways and walk ways and spreads from there. The best defense against crabgrass is a healthy and thick lawn and root system.
- Dandelions – one of the most recognizable lawn weeds, dandelions have notched leaves and yellow flowers that become puffballs of seed. Mowing often and removing new growth above ground makes it tough for the plant to produce food and discourages seed production.
- Clover – a perennial ground cover that produces three leaflets atop a long stem and small rounded flowers. This plant is a very aggressive spreader and prolific seed producer. You should work to eliminate this in early spring and any time it appears.
- Creeping Charlie – also known as ground ivy, thrives in poorly drained and shady areas.
- Oxalis – a perennial weed that looks a lot like clover but with yellow flowers. Hand pulling rarely works because you leave much of the plant behind.
Weed control is part of every successful lawn maintenance plan. Some steps you can use to ensure that your grass stays as weed-free as possible are:
- Keep your lawn mowed regularly – you should not let the weed get into seed production. Once this happens it is too late.
- Dig only when necessary – disturbing the soil encourages thousands of weed seeds that sit just below the surface to germinate when kissed by the sun. The more you disrupt the soil in your beds and lawn, the more you increase the likelihood that weeds will appear.
- Mulch landscape beds – mulch stops the germination of weed seeds by preventing sunlight from reaching them
- Fertilize appropriately – apply the right amount at the right time. Fertilizing when temperatures are still cooler is ideal for zoysia grass. It is important to read labels on fertilizers and not over fertilize your zoysia lawn.
- Do not attempt to pull weeds by hand – it might make you feel good but it will not kill the weeds and they will just grow back.
- Our top tip for weed control – use weed killers early, before the weeds develop strong roots and new seeds germinate.
Here at Zoysia Farm Nurseries we carry many different weed killers that can help to battle any weeds that may pop up. Contact us anytime for assistance in determine which one will best fit your needs.