This article outlines steps to help you kill annoying dandelions and other broadleaf weeds in your lawn.
Once, a fluffy white dandelion meant making a wish as wisps floated into the breeze. Now, it just means more weeds to battle on your lawn or athletic field. If your greatest wish these days is to finally beat these annoying weeds, we’ve compiled this guide to help you leave broadleaf weeds (including dandelions) in the past.
Broadleaf Weed Identification
Before tackling dandelions, it’s important to first identify the type of weed you’re dealing with to better understand their life cycles and growth habits. To help you identify which weed you’re up against, download this free visual guide to ID the most common weeds here in Central PA. There are many types of broadleaf weeds and dandelions can sometimes be confused with leaved plantain, however you can spot a dandelion by its lance shaped leaves. Different weeds appear in different seasons, here’s a few keys to identifying & preventing the infamous dandelion:
- Perennial Weeds: Dandelions come back year-after-year from a deep tap root, making them harder to eliminate than summer annuals, which die after one season.
- Yellow Flowers & Seed Heads: Dandelions produce bright yellow blooms that eventually turn into white, fluffy dandelion seeds, which can be carried by the wind across your lawn. (gosh, blowing them off isn’t so cute anymore, huh?)
- Leaf Shape & Growth Pattern: Broadleaf weeds have jagged, deeply lobed leaves that grow in a rosette shape close to the ground, making weed identification easier.
Once dandelions are established and deep rooted, they spread rapidly, especially when weeds are actively growing in early spring and early fall. That’s why timing is crucial when choosing the best weed treatment for lawns.
The Best Way to Get Rid of Dandelions in Grass
There are multiple ways to tackle dandelions, from hand pulling to applying selective herbicides that target weeds while protecting your grass. Here are the most effective methods:
1. Hand Pulling: Effective for Small Infestations
If there are only a few dandelions, hand pulling is an effective, chemical-free way to remove them. However, simply plucking the yellow flowers won’t stop them from returning. You need to remove the entire tap root, which can extend 6-18 inches deep. Did you know they could go that deep?
How to Properly Hand-Pull Dandelions:
- To make removal easier, wait until the soil is moist after a rain shower or watering.
- Use a weed removal tool or a long, thin screwdriver to loosen the soil around the base of the weed.
- Grasp the dandelion at the base and pull slowly, ensuring you remove the entire tap root.
- Fill the hole with fresh soil and overseed with warm season grasses to prevent new weeds from coming up in its place.
Best Time: When weeds are actively growing in early fall or spring.
Downside: If any part of the tap root remains, the weed will regrow. Thus, their ongoing annoyance for so many.
2. Using the Best Weed Treatment for Lawns
If you’re dealing with a widespread weed problem, weed treatment for lawn care is necessary. Here are your best options:
Selective Herbicides (Best used to spot treat)
Selective herbicides are formulated to kill the weeds (dandelions) without harming your grass. Look for products labeled as weed killer for lawns that contain:
- 2,4-D – Effective against broadleaf weeds like dandelions.
- Dicamba – Helps prevent regrowth from roots.
- MCPP (Mecoprop) – A powerful ingredient in weed and feed products.
Best Time: Apply when weeds are actively growing in spring or early summer and early fall for best results.
Downside: Overuse can stress your lawn and impact beneficial plants.
As our JHL Turf Pros Manager, Andy Zook always says, “Don’t put junk food on your lawn. The grass uses it up quickly and it can cause long-term problems in your soil.” For the best-looking lawn, choose products that aren’t just quick fixes; they should support long-term lawn or field health.
Weed & Feed: A Convenient Option
Many homeowners, property managers, and athletic field directors find themselves searching for “when to apply or how often to apply weed and feed” because it provides both fertilization and weed control in one product.
Benefits of Weed & Feed:
- Feeds your lawn while killing dandelions and other broadleaf weeds.
- Strengthens grass to crowd-out weeds naturally.
- Easy to apply with a spreader.
When to Apply Weed & Feed:
- Spring when weeds are actively growing
- Early Fall to prepare grass for winter
Caution: Avoid applying before heavy rain, and don’t seed your lawn immediately after use, as it may prevent grass seed from germinating.
3. Lawn Care Practices to Prevent Dandelions
Dandelions thrive in thin, weak lawns, so the best defense is a healthy, dense lawn that crowds out weeds.
Mowing Strategies
- Mow high (3-4 inches) – Taller grass shades weed seeds, preventing them from sprouting.
- To avoid spreading dandelion seeds, bag lawn clippings if dandelions are seeding.
Fertilization & Overseeding
- Use a balanced fertilizer to keep grass strong.
- Overseed in early fall to fill-in bare spots.
- Use a quality pre-emergence herbicide to prevent germination of dandelion seeds.
Soil & Watering Tips
- Test your soil to ensure the correct pH and nutrients.
- Water deeply, but infrequently to encourage strong grass roots.
Or, for a beautiful lawn without having to lift a finger, leave this to the local professionals. JHL Turf Pros offers a Weed-Free Guarantee. To find out how to win the battle against weeds without the hassle, click here for weed control service in Central PA.
What About Grassy Weeds?
Dandelions are broadleaf weeds, but many lawns also struggle with grassy weeds like crabgrass. These require a different weed killer for lawns, so be sure to choose the right product to keep your lawn healthy and free of unwanted fluffy small white flowers.
- Broadleaf Weed Killers = Dandelions, clover, chickweed.
- Grassy Weed Killers = Crabgrass, foxtail, goosegrass.
Take Control of Your Lawn
Controlling broadleaf weeds shouldn’t be a full time job! Whether you prefer hand pulling, applying selective herbicides, or weed & feed, the key is timing and consistency. You can enjoy a weed-free lawn all season by applying treatments when weeds are actively growing, maintaining a thick lawn, and turning to the professionals when you need help.