Dandelion Control

Controlling broadleaf weeds such as dandelions starts with proper lawn care. Weeds in lawns are usually not the cause, but the result of poor grass growth. Weeds invade a lawn when the lawn is not growing vigorously enough to keep them out.

Your first step in weed control is to determine why your lawn grass is not doing well.

Does it need fertilizer?
Has the soil become compacted from heavy foot traffic?
Have you been mowing the grass too short, too often or too infrequently?

Correct whatever the problem is and provide the best growing conditions possible for the grass. Once you have improved your lawn's health, you may choose to use broadleaf weed killers. Late summer and early fall is the best time to control dandelions. However, spring applications of 2,4-D will provide some control. If you use a dry granular form of weed killer or a weed and feed type of fertilizer, apply it to wet grass and weeds. The weed control material must stick to the leaves of the weed plants to be effective. If you spray a liquid, apply it only on a calm day so material will not drift onto desirable plants.

Read the label and mix and apply according to directions. The active ingredients in broadleaf weed killers include 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP. Dicamba is absorbed through the root system of plants and so can injure shallow rooted trees and shrubs. Keep weed killers containing these products away from their roots of trees and shrubs.

Remember, broadleaf weed killers are broadleaf plant killers. They do not, for example, differentiate between dandelions and tomato plants. Apply them only to weeds in the lawn. Be careful not to get the material onto desirable plants in your yard. Read and follow all label directions.