Controlling Weeds In A Recently Seeded Lawn
How to Control Weeds in a Newly Seeded Lawn
The last thing you want to see after you’ve seeded your lawn is for weeds to grow with your grass, which can be disheartening after all your hard work. Find out how to control weeds in a newly seeded lawn with guidance from our specialists.
Why do I have weeds growing in my new grass?
The first thing that springs to mind is dodgy grass seed, but 9 times out of 10, this is not the case. Most seed suppliers in the UK are DEFRA-registered (like us!), which means grass seed is thoroughly tested for germination rates, disease resistance and purity. To meet DEFRA standards, the seeds need to have less than a certain percentage of weed content to pass the certification. The most likely cause, despite thorough seed bed preparation, is weed seeds that lie dormant in the soil. These weed seeds can be activated when the soil is disturbed enough (by scarifying or aerating, for example) or the conditions become perfect for them to germinate, such as heavy rain. Weed seeds can also migrate from other areas in heavy winds or even from bird droppings.
Why should the weeds be removed?
If a perfectly manicured lawn is what you’re after, weeds can be quite the eyesore and also wreak havoc on classic garden games, including croquet and boules. However, the benefits of removing weeds from your lawn don’t stop at just how it makes your lawn look. By removing weeds from your recently seeded lawn, you can spend less time removing weeds in the future – this is because you’re stopping them from spreading. Weeds can also snatch nutrients and sunlight from your grass, which in turn, can impact your lawn’s ability to thrive. By removing the weeds, you ensure that all the good stuff goes solely to your grass.
How do I treat weeds in a new lawn?
Unfortunately, the obvious choice of a feed and weed treatment is off the table as your new grass is too young. When using a weed killer on new lawn areas, it's important to wait until the grass is mature enough to handle treatment. The general rule of thumb for any products containing a selective weed killer is: Only apply the product if your lawn has been fully established for six months or more If applied, do not re-seed for 6-8 weeks If in doubt, always check the manufacturer’s instructions We know this can be frustrating, but it’s best not to panic or be hasty. Weed killer products can do more harm than good in the early development stages. The great news about these types of weeds is that many of them will be shallow rooted and should come out when you do your first mow (4-8 weeks). If they don't, they can be easily removed by manually pulling them out. If the weeds keep reappearing after the first mow, unfortunately there isn’t a lot you can do but ride it out until your lawn has hit that magic six month mark. Regular mowing will help keep the weeds at bay and stop them from seeding, and manually pulling them will decrease the spread. If you really need to treat the weeds, you can try and very carefully apply a glyphosate weed killer precisely to the weed. Emphasis is on the word ‘carefully’ as these products will kill any vegetation, including your new grass.
What if my new lawn is over six months old?
If your new lawn is over six months old, you have plenty of options! You could try our Weed, Feed & Moss Killer fertiliser – not only does it help eliminate weeds, but it also tackles moss while feeding and greening your lawn. Another option is a selective weed killer, a stronger alternative ideal for tougher weeds or heavily infested lawns. If you're balancing weed killer and seeding lawn at the same time, be sure to check the recommended waiting period before applying to ensure the best results for a healthy, thriving lawn.
Which products are best for treating weeds in recently seeded lawn?
Just to recap what we mentioned in the above section, we’ve summarised our expert-recommended products for controlling weeds in recently seeded lawn. For each product, we’re including links to the product pages so you can find out more about them and make a purchase when you’re ready. Remember, these products are only suitable for lawns that are six months old (or older)!
A1 Lawn Double Strength Feed, Weed & Moss Killer
Specially formulated to nourish your lawn while effectively eliminating common weeds and moss, we highly recommend this feed, weed and moss killer once your lawn is 6 months or older.
Gallup Glyphosate Total Weed Killer
Killing both the weed plant and roots, a little goes a long way with this total weed killer. Make sure to take great care during application as this will also target grass and other plants, as well as weeds in the treated area
Kurtail Lawn
Kurtail Lawn combines four active ingredients for maximum impact, and is considered a No.1 treatment for mare’s tail.
Any questions?
Looking to sow new seed, feed your lawn or want any additional advice? Please get in touch – we are more than happy to provide as much information as you need to achieve your lawn goals. You can contact us by phone on 0800 4118141 or by email at sales@a1lawn.co.uk.
