How to remove weeds in grass

If you’re looking to create an immaculate lawn, you’ll probably need to remove weeds at some point. As traditional weed-killing methods won’t just kill weeds, but your grass too, you’ll need to use some different techniques for your lawn. In this guide, we take you through how you can kill weeds in grass and give you some tips to prevent their growth in the future.

Hand pulling weeds

Pulling weeds out by hand is one of the safest and most effective ways to remove weeds from your lawn, as you don’t need to worry about chemicals damaging the lawn around the weed. 

Firmly grip the weed and pull it out slowly to make sure you remove the weed and its roots. Removing the root of the weed is crucial as if you leave the roots in the ground, the weed will start to grow back. To make the job easier, try using a weed puller.

Once you’ve removed the weeds the grass in the surrounding area should start to grow. If you’ve removed a large clump of weeds that’s left you with a patch of bare grass, you may need to use some grass seed to encourage re-growth.

Lawn weed killers

If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution that doesn’t require removing individual weeds, you can use a lawn weed killer. Standard weed killers can kill your grass as well as the weeds, so it’s important to choose a weed killer specifically designed for lawns. Lawn weed killers are a great option if you want to target a small number of weeds.

Lawn weed killers are best applied in the spring or summer when the weeds are growing. Make sure you follow the specific instructions, including safety information, on your chosen lawn weed killer.

All-in-one solutions

If your lawn has a lot of weeds and moss or is in an overall poor condition, you may want to consider an all-in-one lawn treatment.

All-in-one lawn solutions are designed to create a healthier lawn whilst reducing weeds and making it harder for moss to grow. In general, you should apply the product when your grass is actively growing but make sure you refer to the instructions on your specific product for exact application information.

All-in-one lawn treatments are the best solution for lawns with lots of weeds and will save you time compared to targeted weed killers or hand removal.

Preventing lawn weed growth

Whatever treatment you decide to use, once you’ve cleared your lawn of weeds, you’ll want to keep them at bay. Here, we outline a few of the ways you can prevent future weed growth.

Regular lawn care

When the growth of grass is strong, it will be more difficult for weeds to take hold. Periodically scarifying and aerating will improve the health of your lawn which should help reduce the appearance of weeds. For more information, take a look at our lawn care guide.

Re-seed bare patches of grass

Any bare patches in your lawn are the ideal place for weeds to take hold. Adding grass seed or even re-turfing bare patches will help prevent future weed growth.

Treat weeds as soon as you see them

If you want to keep weeds in your lawn at bay, it’s important to keep an eye out for any new weed growth and treat it as soon as possible. Regularly check your lawn for new weeds and remove them by hand or with a weed killer.

Mow regularly

A lawn needs to be mown regularly to keep it healthy, and weeds will struggle to grow in a healthy lawn.

Remember to consider the height of your lawnmower blades. Set them high at the start of the year then gradually lower them. Cutting your grass too short can lead to bare patches that will encourage weed growth, so be careful not to set your blades too low. For more mowing tips, check our lawn care guide.

Do you need to remove weeds?

Removing weeds from your lawn is a time-consuming process that can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle. For this reason, you might want to consider whether you need to remove them.

Weeds produce flowers which can add some colour and variety to your lawn. They can also attract pollinators and feed wildlife so rather than working to completely eradicate weeds, you might want to rethink your approach to them.

Removing weeds from grass requires a combination of prevention and targeted intervention. By implementing these strategies, you can maintain a lush, weed-free lawn that will enhance your outdoor space.