Read your "Weeds"

A National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns Factsheet

A Simple Guide to Creating a Healthy Lawn

Weeds can tell you a lot about the condition of your lawn and indicate what you need to do to grow healthy grass that is naturally resistant to weeds and pest problems. Learn to read your “weeds” for what they indicate about your lawn care practices and soil conditions, and you’ll be on your way to creating a healthy lawn that will be less work in the long run.

Reading weeds is actually very simple. First, know that weeds thrive in soil that is compacted, poorly fertilized, and not pH balanced; and in lawns that are improperly watered, seeded, and mowed.

Synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides also lead to undesirable conditions, which restricts water and air movement in the soil. High nitrogen fertilizers can disrupt the nutrient balance, accelerate turf growth, increase the need for mowing and contribute to thatch buildup. Pesticides harm the microorganisms, beneficial insects and earthworms that are essential to maintaining healthy soil, and therefore, healthy turf.

Use the following chart to identify the weeds in your lawn and correct the conditions that are promoting them with the information below. For instance, blue violets often indicate compaction and excessive watering. Aeration and proper irrigation would correct the conditions that are promoting blue violet growth.

While we cannot provide specific information for every region of the country, and every weed, this general overview will highlight the association of weeds with poor soil and management conditions. And, while we don’t focus on pests, following the recommendations outlined here will help alleviate many pest problems.

Remember, many plants that are considered weeds, have beneficial qualities. Try to develop a tolerance for some weeds. For instance, clover—considered a typical turf weed—thrives in soil with low nitrogen levels, compaction issues, and drought stress. However, clover takes free nitrogen from the atmosphere and distributes it to the grass, which helps it grow. Clover roots are extensive and extremely drought resistant, providing significant resources to soil organisms, and clover will stay green long after turf goes naturally dormant. Crabgrass provides erosion control, dandelions’ deep roots return nutrients to the surface, and plantains are edible! [View full article as a PDF]

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