The dandelions have emerged and are taking over lawns all over town. Getting rid of them can be tricky.
Don’t Just Pull Them
A dandelion’s taproot can grow 2 to 3 feet deep. Pull the top off, or even most of the root, and the piece left in the ground grows right back. Digging works on a few plants if you get the whole root, but on a lawn full of them it’s a losing battle.
Treat The Whole Plant
The best plan is to treat with a product designed to kill the whole plant, including the taproot. Broadleaf weed control works best when dandelions are actively growing. Spring knocks back the flush you see now, but fall is actually the most effective time: the plant is pulling energy down into its root for winter and takes the herbicide down with it.
A Thick Lawn Is The Best Defense
A healthy lawn is much less likely to have a dandelion outbreak. Dandelion seeds need bare soil and sunlight to sprout, and thick turf doesn’t give them either. To crowd them out:
- Mow high. Keeping grass at 3 to 3.5 inches shades the soil; see when and how to mow in spring.
- Feed the lawn on schedule so grass fills in faster than weeds do.
- Fill thin spots with fall aeration and overseeding.
- Get ahead of the next season with fall weed control.
Need help? Our fertilization and weed control programs handle dandelions and other broadleaf weeds through the season.
Rather have a pro handle it? F&W has provided fertilization & weed control for Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, and Champaign-Urbana, Illinois properties since 1989. Call (309) 664-2666 or request a free quote.