How To Prevent Weeds in Grass Naturally

Keeping your lawn looking its best can feel like a full-timejob, especially when weeds keep trying to sneak in. They sprout up overnight,competing with your grass for water and nutrients, and detracting from the curbappeal you work hard to maintain. 

However, you don’t need to rely on harsh chemicals to keeppesky weeds from taking hold in your lawn. With the right approach, you cannaturally prevent weeds in your grass while also making it stronger andhealthier. The experts at Tatum Lawn Care LLC share more below.

Start With Soil Health

Weeds usually take advantage of weak spots, and poor soil is oneof their favorite doorways in. If your grass doesn’t have the nutrients itneeds, it won’t stand a chance against invasive plants.

How can you make your soil healthier?

• Have it tested. A simple test reveals the pH and nutrient balance, so you     know what to add.
• Aerate when compacted. Moses Lake’s dry summers often leave the soil     packed tight. Aeration opens things up, allowing water, oxygen, and     nutrients to reach deeper.
• Feed the soil. Mulching techniques like adding compost or other organic matter     give grass the strength to crowd out weeds.

Healthy soil means stronger roots, and stronger roots meanfewer weeds.

Mow Correctly

Mowing isn’t just about keeping the neighbors and the HOAhappy. Cutting the grass actually plays a huge role in whether weeds take overor not. If you scalp your grass too short, you’re basically rolling out awelcome mat for crabgrass and dandelions.

Aim to keep the grass around three inches high. That’s tallenough to shade the soil so weed seeds have a harder time sprouting, but not sotall that your lawn looks like a hayfield. 

And here’s one more tip: Keep your mower blades sharp. Adull blade doesn’t cut; it rips, and that stresses the grass and leaves itvulnerable to all sorts of issues, including a weed takeover.

Water Wisely

Lawns don’t like little sips of water here and there. Theyprefer a good, deep drink. 

Shallow watering leads to shallow roots, which makes grassless hardy. Aim to give the lawn about an inch of water once or twice a week.This encourages roots to grow deeper, so your grass can outlast both dry spellsand weed pressure.

Consider Using Natural Pre-EmergentHerbicides 

If weeds are a recurring problem, pre-emergent herbicidescan stop their seeds from sprouting before they ever become an issue. 

Corn gluten meal is a popular and effective natural solutionfor weed control. When you apply it in early spring, before weeds germinate,you’ll have a much easier time keeping your grass weed-free all summer long.Just remember: Pre-emergent herbicides (even natural ones) only work on seeds,not mature weeds.

Stay Consistent With Lawn Maintenance

Preventing weeds in grass isn’t a one-time project. Itrequires ongoing attention and keeping up with small, consistent habits to keepyour lawn healthy year-round. 

The timeline typically looks like this: 

Spring: Aerate and overseed to thicken grass.
Summer: Mow high and water deeply once or twice a week
Fall: Fertilize and reseed thin areas.
Winter: Clean up debris so weeds don’t have a place to hide.

When you stay on top of lawn maintenance, weeds never getthe upper hand.

Trust Tatum Lawn Care LLC To Keep YourYard Looking Its Best

Weeds may be stubborn, but they’re not invincible. Byfocusing on soil health, proper mowing, smart watering, and using naturalpre-emergent herbicides, you can prevent weeds in grass and enjoy a lawn thatlooks vibrant all year long.

If you’d rather skip the trial and error and leave the workto professionals, the team at Tatum Lawn Care LLC is here to help. We know whatworks in Moses Lake, WA’s climate, and we’re passionate about building lawnsthat homeowners can be proud of. With the right lawn maintenance, your grass will stay thick, healthy, and naturallyweed-free.

Reach us at 509-765-4000 to discuss your lawncare needs.