Does Weed Killer Harm Grass?
Landscaping costs a fortune, and if you’ve invested in it for your yard, the last thing you want to see popping up in your greenery are weeds. The best weed killer for lawns will help keep your property looking just the way you want it to, knocking out all those aggressive and abundant weeds that might be trying to sneak into your property’s landscape.
One worry you might have is how weed killer effects grass, as no one wants to destroy their lawn while getting rid of unsightly weeds. If you’ve been wondering if weed killer will hurt your grass, then this article will provide some useful information for you the next time you choose to clean up your yard and care for your lawn.
How Weed Killers Work
Before you start using weed killer, you may be curious how it actually works to kill off weeds. Typically, weed killer interferes with weeds’ growth by doing one of two things. Weed killer will either block the weed from performing photosynthesis, which is necessary for the plant’s growth and survival, or it will inhibit the roots from forming any further, ultimately destroying them and killing the plant.
Fortunately, weed killer isn’t as dangerous to humans as chemicals like pesticides are. This is because herbicides, like weed killer, inhibit plant growth and the human body doesn’t have as much in common with plants as it does living insects, which also have brains, nervous systems, and bloodstreams.
However, with that said, it’s still a good idea to be careful when using any type of chemical in your yard. Scientists don’t know everything about herbicides, so it’s best to always err on the side of caution by reading the product’s label and following the instructions given by the brand.
Not All Weed Killers Hurt Grass
When it comes to weed killers, not all mixtures are the same. While some weed killers will harm all plant life they come into contact with, others are formulated to only target specific plants. As long as you’ve chosen a weed killer that is selective in its attack approach, you should have no problem spraying it on your lawn. The weed killer container should include specific notes on which species will be affected by the herbicide.
If you have an area of your grass lawn that is particularly struggling to grow, you may still want to avoid spraying weed killer in that area just to be cautious. Any grass species can be negatively affected by weed killer if it hasn’t fully rooted in the soil yet.
If you use a nonselective weed killer, then all plant life that comes in contact with it will suffer. If you’re using one of these weed killers, apply it carefully to avoid hurting your lawn. Once you’ve applied a weed killer to an area, the herbicide should break down after two weeks, allowing you to reseed the area if desired.
How to Best Apply Weed Killer
When it comes to applying weed killer to your yard, the best course of action to begin with is spot treatments that are applied by hand. In doing this, you help avoid the risk of overspray, which can damage your lawn. If taking this approach, make sure to wear protective gloves. You can then apply some of the weed killer to your gloves and rub your hand along the stem and leaves of the weed.
If you’re dealing with more than one area of weeds, or if weeds have overtaken your yard, you can skip spot treatment and apply weed killer to larger areas at one time — however, always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions.
Tips for Applying Weed Killer
It’s best to keep your pets and children away from a recently treated yard area until the weed killer has completely dried. Additionally, avoid spraying weed killer on windy days, or when rain is forecasted. Ideally, you want to be applying weed killer on days when the weather falls between 45 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid freezes and overly-hot days.
After spraying your yard, don’t neglect areas of your property that might not be as obvious. Patios, driveways, and paved walkways may benefit from a weed killer, helping protect your outdoor spaces from cement cracks and the like.
Resources— SFGate, The Home Depot
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