Turf Myth Buster: Weeds

So many myths and so little time! When weeds in the lawn are discussed, there are many false accusations leveled at weeds.  Rumors, lies and urban myths about weeds range from “weeds are lawn killers” to “herbicides only kill weeds”. 

Myth: Weeds are Killing my Grass!

Truth: Weeds do not kill grass. As a a matter of fact it is the opposite – healthy vigorous turf will keep weeds out of the lawn. Weeds take over areas where the turf is weak from drought or damage from traffic or spills (like pools). Weeds are a “symptom” of something wrong with the lawn – not “Evil Weed Monsters” destroying your lawn

Myth: Herbicides Kill Weeds Not Lawns

Truth: A weed is a plant that has no economic value WHERE it is growing. Bermuda grass is not a weed on a golf course but Bermuda grass is a weed in a St Augustine lawn. To think that a herbicide is some sort of intelligent chemical and can decide what is a weed and what is a valuable plant is absurd! The mode of action of a herbicide to kill a weed is so technical that I cannot begin to explain even the basics in a short article. Just know that herbicides do not know the difference between an undesirable weed and a desirable turf and in the hands of an amateur either are ineffective or damaging to the lawn. Leave weed control to the pros.

Myth: I have a lot of Weeds

Truth: You live in Florida! Weeds are common, thrive in our climate, grow year round and are impossible to eliminate from the environment or the lawn. There is no magic spray that I can spray on a lawn and the weeds are gone. All that is possible is to treat weeds on a regular schedule to keep them at low population levels. Timing and frequency determines the success or failure of weed control – more frequent applications provide better timing and lower weed counts. My basic service of 6x per year provides a basic weed control. To provide lower weed populations for lawns with naturally higher weed counts, increase applications to 9 or 12 times per year.