Fighting lawn weeds: Helpful tips & tricks

If you spend a lot of time looking after your lawn and caring for it regularly, then lawn weeds are sure to be a thorn in your side. They grow between your grass and are particularly stubborn. Whether it's daisies, dandelions or ground ivy: there are definitely ways to combat lawn weeds.

In this article, we explain what causes weeds in the lawn and which lawn weeds are particularly common in this country. We will also give you helpful tips on how to combat them. You will then learn how to use lawn seed from Rasenexpert to fix bare patches in your lawn.

How do weeds appear in the lawn?

Do you keep discovering weeds in your lawn? Despite intensive care, they continue to spread and inhibit the growth of the grass? Then you should take a closer look at what causes weeds in the first place and why they spread so quickly.

In many cases, weeds grow due to a lack of nutrients. If you are intensively involved in lawn care , then you certainly know that lawns have a very high nutrient requirement. In many gardens, however, this is not sufficiently covered.

If this is the case, grass will grow slowly and weeds will have a chance to spread. In contrast to lawns, most weeds have a relatively low need for nutrients. If your lawns are also dry, especially in summer, then weeds have an easy time. Many weeds are also far less sensitive to dryness than lawns.

The choice of seed often plays a decisive role in controlling lawn weeds. Cheap seed mixes tend to develop weeds particularly quickly and in large quantities. Weed seeds also creep into many lawn mixes during production.

That's why you should choose a lawn mix from an expert. At RasenExpert you will find a large selection of high-quality lawn seeds for your garden.

How can I prevent lawn weeds from spreading?

If annual or perennial weeds are spreading in your lawn, you should act as quickly as possible. With the right care, you can prevent the weeds from spreading further. To do this, you should follow a few tips when mowing the lawn .

You should not cut your lawn too short. Lawn weeds only grow if they get enough light. If you cut your lawn to about 4 cm, the shade of the blades of grass will ensure that weeds cannot germinate. If the weeds in your garden are growing briskly, then you have probably cut the lawn too short.

To ensure that your lawn does not suffer from a lack of nutrients and that weeds can grow particularly well, you should fertilize it regularly. This will provide the soil with all the important nutrients: This will strengthen the growth of your lawn and thus play an important role in controlling lawn weeds.

Also make sure you water your lawn sufficiently . In summer, the soil can dry out quickly, which can cause lasting damage to the grass. To keep your lawn healthy, you should water it thoroughly once or twice a week in summer, depending on the weather. If annoying weeds have already spread, scarifying the lawn can help.

In our knowledge library you will find further helpful articles on how to best care for your lawn.

broadleaf plantain (Plantago Major)

Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) is a common weed that spreads in many gardens. The plant is characterized by its large, egg-shaped leaves that grow just above the ground. The stems of broadleaf plantain can reach a height of up to 25 cm and have green flowers from June to October. The weed is very trample-resistant and robust.

If you want to get rid of broadleaf plantain, it is best to use a weed puller and remove the plant including the roots. In addition, proper care of your lawn is also crucial to combat broadleaf plantain and other lawn weeds.

speedwell (Veronica)

Another common weed is speedwell (Veronica). The plant has small blue flowers that look pretty at first glance. However, if speedwell is growing on your lawn, the weed can become a problem. It is a creeping weed that spreads quickly and dominates your lawn.

Speedwell thrives best in moist soil, so you should avoid waterlogging. Make sure to mow your lawn regularly to encourage grass growth. You can also remove the weeds with a weed puller.

daisy (Bellis perennis)

Daisies (Bellis perennis) may look beautiful, but many gardeners consider them to be weeds. The problem with daisies is that they spread quickly: the seeds cause more and more daisies to settle on your lawn. They often grow particularly well on damp lawns. Very compacted soil is also an ideal location for daisies. It could help to aerate the lawn so that it is better supplied with oxygen and water can sink in better.

Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

A particularly annoying weed in the garden is the creeping buttercup. It spreads quickly and its runners can quickly take over large areas of lawn. You can recognize the creeping buttercup by its three-part leaves and yellow flowers. If you want to get rid of the weed, the entire root system must be removed. Regularly mowing the lawn also helps to prevent the creeping buttercup from spreading.

Clover, wood sorrel & white clover (Trifolium)

Clover (Trifolium) can be found on many lawns. Thanks to its green color, it is often only visible from close up, but can still spoil the appearance of your lawn. Clover grows particularly on acidic soils with a lot of lime, sand or clay. The acidification weakens your lawn and clover and moss in the lawn are likely.

If you see small weeds in your lawn that are flowering, it could be white clover. The delicate stems grow 10 to 30 cm high and flower from May to September. Wood sorrel, on the other hand, flowers from April to May and has white to pink flowers. The best way to get rid of clover in your lawn is to correct the acidity of the soil and thus strengthen the growth of the lawn.

Do you suspect that the pH value in your garden might be too acidic? With our practical pH soil test you can determine it in just a few minutes.

dandelion (Taraxacum)

Dandelions (Taraxacum) are particularly annoying in lawns. The plants grow larger than other weeds: if you remove them, large gaps will remain in your lawn that you will have to reseed. In addition, dandelions spread quickly via their seeds and then cause even more damage to your lawn. Regular mowing and fertilizing can help to optimize lawn growth and prevent the spread of dandelions.

Bare spots after weed control: reseeding with the appropriate lawn seeds

Many lawn weeds are difficult to control. Since they often spread via their seeds, the infestation can quickly affect your entire lawn. You can prevent this by mowing your lawn regularly and trimming the weeds: This prevents the seeds from forming and multiplying.

In many cases, however, it is necessary to remove lawn weeds mechanically. You can use a weed puller for this. Make sure to remove not only the plant, but also its roots. Only if you really get all the roots will the weeds not grow back.

Depending on the type of weed, herbicides may also be used. So-called weed killers contain chemical agents that are intended to kill the weeds. However, they are not harmful to lawn grasses.

If you have removed the weeds in your garden, you will probably discover gaps in the lawn. Dandelions and other larger weeds in particular leave unsightly bare patches in the lawn. Before new weeds can take hold, you should reseed the lawn and fill in the gaps. You can find the right lawn seeds for this at RasenExpert.

Conclusion: Fight weeds in your lawn with the right care & enjoy a thick lawn

Lawn weeds are stubborn and often spread quickly. With the right care, you can prevent weeds: regular mowing and fertilizing are essential. Also check whether the pH value of your soil is between 5.5 and 6.5 so that the lawn can grow as well as possible. If you discover weeds, you should remove them as quickly as possible with a weed puller, including the roots.