If you have kids or pets at home, you have probably asked yourself ‘How can I control the weeds in the yard safely?’ According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, a healthy lawn that is taken care of has thousands of grass plants that protect the lawn against weeds.

Homeowners often make the mistake of using blanket herbicide solutions that are not necessary. Luckily, there is a much safer way to manage weeds. With the right lawn care techniques, you can kill weeds while protecting those around your lawn. This article explains how to set up the right weed management plan for you and your family.

Define Your Yard’s Play Areas

Figure out how different areas of your yard are being used. Any place where kids play, or pets hang out should be treated differently from flower beds and other less popular spots.

You can split your lawn up into activity zones. This will allow you to determine where more targeted weed treatments may occasionally be appropriate. It also prevents unnecessary product use across the entire lawn.

Identify Weeds Before Taking Action

Identifying the type of weed in your yard can have a significant effect on the treatment applied to it. For example, broadleaf weeds such as dandelions and clover respond differently from grassy weeds such as crabgrass or sedges like nutsedge.

In many situations, isolated weeds can be removed without using any herbicides. In locations that have children and pets playing, hand-pulling is one of the safest and most effective weed-removal methods. Although it requires a lot of effort, it eliminates the use of chemicals in sensitive areas.

Use Mulch to Combat Weeds

Mulching is a great way of fighting weeds before they appear on the lawn. Laying a two to four-inch thick layer of mulch made of organic material stops the sunlight from getting into weeds and helps the soil keep water and temperature.

Wooden chips, shredded bark, pine needles, and compost are great materials for mulch. You can use them in flower beds and under trees and bushes. It is also important to leave a gap between mulch and plants so as not to make the plant rot.

Selecting Lawn Products Carefully

Different landscaping jobs require different products. Therefore, it is important to compare the following:

• Active ingredients
• Application times
• Compatibility with your type of grass

Reviewing the complete product label will help you learn how to properly and safely apply the product. When researching combination products for caring for lawns, you can check out fertilizer from Gordon’s available here. This can help you understand label directions and select products that fit your lawn care goals.

Follow Reentry Instructions

All lawn care products come with instructions on how long it takes before a treated area can be reentered. Some products will be re-enterable once dry, and others will require watering or waiting a certain period of time.

Following the instructions will help avoid excessive exposure and ensure the product works well. Never assume all herbicides have the same waiting period.

Time Applications Carefully

Even when applying the products according to the directions on the label, proper timing adds safety to the lawn. It is best to apply treatments when children are away for school, at naptime, or when pets are indoors.

Proper timing helps allow the treatments to dry for a few hours before the lawn is used again. It’s also advisable to avoid performing any treatment just before any outdoor activities involving kids and pets.

Safety in Storing Lawn Products

The process of weed control does not end with treatment application. It is very important to keep herbicides, fertilizers, and other lawn products in their original containers with their labels intact.

 It is also essential to store them in locked cabinets or in the storage shed, away from pets, children, animal feed, and food. Proper storage will prevent contamination and accidents.

Build a Thick, Healthy Lawn

One of the easiest ways to control weeds is to help grasses grow strong and healthy. Dense turf helps to shade the soil, thus preventing the germination of weed seeds.

Regular mowing at the proper length, deep watering, application of fertilizer, and replanting barren spots will improve the quality of the lawn over time. In addition to protecting your lawn, a thick, healthy lawn can improve your curb appeal.

Regularly Monitor Your Lawn

Weeding is an ongoing effort rather than a one-off job. By walking around the yard every week or two, you will be able to catch new weeds before they develop and produce seeds.

Making small corrections is much easier than trying to fix widespread problems. If you check your lawn regularly, you can also notice problems with watering, mowing, soil conditions, or weather patterns before invasive plants appear.

Create a Healthier, Weed-Free Yard for the Whole Family

Achieving a balance between controlling unwanted growth and maintaining a safe environment for children and pets is completely possible with the right strategy. Instead of using generalized herbicide applications, take advantage of the tips listed above.

The best way to deal with weeds at home is organically. However, there are instances where herbicides may be necessary. In such cases, carefully following instructions will help you achieve the best results.

Check out our guide on sustainable seasonal lawn care for more tips on building a yard that thrives year round.