Top Reasons Your Yard Has So Many Dandelions
I hate dandelions! Not just dandelions, but weeds in general which can ruin my yard. If you are reading this article I know I am not alone. Maybe you do not hate dandelions, but you want them out of your yard! After trial, error, and research I have found a few sure-fire ways to keep dandelions out of your lawn for good!
Why does my yard have so many dandelions? Dandelions are broadleaf perennials, a week with seeds that can form root systems. Perennials are notoriously hard to control, they spread easily and they are hard to get rid of! Mature dandelions have a white head that will spread its seed for miles once it reaches maturity. For this reason, once a yard has one dandelion, they are likely to quickly take over.
Although some homeowners view dandelions as a welcome addition to their landscaping, others despise them like the weeds they are. Fortunately, however, dandelions can be mastered and eradicated if you are committed and consistent. In this post, we will discuss where are all these dandelions coming from and how you can achieve a dandelion-free yard once and for all!
Why Your Yard Has a Large Volume of Dandelions
So, why does your yard have so many dandelions? There are many reasons this may be your situation. Here are a few helpful keys to use to evaluate your yard and why it might have a large volume of dandelions.
How is your lawn health? Is it a breeding ground for dandelions? Grass and soil that does not have adequate nutrition is an open door to dandelion growth. Make sure to feed your lawn with the necessary nutrients to see those dandelions go away.
Secondly, how short is your grass? To prevent dandelions from growing in your yard do not cut your grass too short. Mow your lawn at a higher setting, for example, 2-3 inches. Also, be careful if you have your lawn serviced. At times, your lawn companies equipment might be carrying dandelion seeds which can transfer to your yard! Check with your lawn company and make sure they are taking the proper precautions so this does not happen.
Next, are you removing dandelions with the complete taproot (6-8 inches)? If not, dandelions will continue to make a home in your yard. Remember, dandelion seeds can travel for miles once in full bloom when the wind blows. If you do not remove them the seeds will travel throughout your yard and create more dandelions.
If you have not made herbicide your friend, you might be destined to have a lot of dandelions in your yard. Weed and feed or herbicide are needed defenses against an excessive dandelion infestation. Lastly, how acidic is your soil? Dandelions thrive in alkaline soil, soil with a pH over 7. You might need to test your soil. It could be a breeding ground for the large number of dandelions you have in your yard!
Best Ways to Get Rid of Dandelions in Your Yard
There are several ways that you can get rid of the dandelions in your yard permanently! Some of these methods include the following:
- Have a thick and healthy lawn.
- Pull each one out one by one.
- Invest in regular lawn treatments and maintenance.
- Improve your soil conditions to prevent their growth.
- Use a broadleaf herbicide that will kill the entire plant & not just what you see.
While each of these methods is relatively straightforward, they will only succeed with consistent implementation.
Steps to Ridding Your Lawn of Dandelions
Each of the methods discussed above can be used on its own or as part of a multi-faceted approach. There are many questions you may have regarding how to free your lawn of dandelions. How much does having a thick and healthy lawn affect your ability to remove dandelions? Do you have to weed your whole lawn by pulling out each dandelion individually? What tools should you use to weed dandelions?
Maybe you do not want to spend the time and energy required to remove each dandelion! We will discuss lawn treatments and selecting a lawn care company to meet your needs. Sometimes people do not realize the importance of soil when it comes to dandelion removal. There is some specific information you need to use this strategy to rid your lawn of dandelions. Lastly, we will talk about how herbicide can be your best friend when it comes to dandelion removal. Read further to gain practical information and ideas to get rid of those pesky dandelions once and for all!
1. Have a Thick & Healthy Lawn
This seems like a no-brainer. Of course, having a thick and healthy lawn will cure any weed problem! This may be true. However, once you get rid of the dandelions there will be holes where they once were. A thick lawn will grow to cover up those places so the weeds will not have an opportunity to return and hurt your beautiful yard.
Having a thick and healthy lawn will take some work and investment. However, the return will be well worth it. Your landscaping will be improved, your home will look great, and the value of your property could even increase! This is well worth the investment.
2. Pull Each Dandelion Out, One by One
This is as tedious as it sounds but there is no way around it. You will have to remove each dandelion using this method. No worries some tools can help you in your yard cleaning endeavors! You can use any of the following items:
- Dandelion Puller
- Hoe
- Knife
- Digger
- Rake
- Cobrahead
You will need to determine which tool will work best for your lawn and the way you would like to weed. Just make sure you can pull up the dandelion head and its taproot completely. Doing so will ensure that the weeds do not return.
3. Invest in Regular Lawn Treatments & Maintenance
This goes hand-in-hand with some of the other methods mentioned previously. There are no shortcuts to a properly maintained yard. If you are unable to put the time in yourself, there are many reputable lawn maintenance companies that you can find in your area to assist you.
In the long run, investing in a properly maintained lawn is much cheaper than having to deal with the repair of a neglected lawn. Invest in your property from the start so that you will be less likely to have problems with weeds or any other lawn issues.
4. Improve Soil Conditions to Prevent Dandelion Growth
Your soil does matter when it comes to getting rid of dandelions in your yard. Dandelions in your yard are a sign of poor soil health. It also indicates that your soil is low in calcium and very compacted. Dandelions love acidic soil.
Another way of getting rid of dandelions in your yard is to make your yard soil less acidic. To do this you would need to change the pH of your soil. There is a lot of information you can research to learn more about this topic. It is best to get a professional to assist you to get the proper soil pH balance so you do not cause more damage than good to your soil.
A simple way to neutralize the acid in your soil is by using pulverized limestone. To determine the type of limestone would require a soil test. Like I said this might be too much like a science experiment for most so bringing in the experts to help might be your answer!
5. Use a Broadleaf Herbicide to Kill the Entire Plant
Herbicide might be your solution to finally get those annoying dandelions out of your yard! You have to be careful with this solution. You do not want to kill your grass or any of the other plant life which might be around the dandelions. You must research the best herbicides to use in your garden or lawn especially if you have pets. Otherwise, you can choose to hire a professional to treat your yard for the best results.
Related Questions
How do you choose a lawn maintenance company?
Your relationship with your lawn care company should be a long-term partnership for the time you own your property. Finding a good one will save you time, money, and heartache. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Research reviews. What are other people saying?
- Make sure they are licensed and insured.
- Research their lawn care treatments. Are they what you want for your lawn maintenance?
- Look for great customer service.
What are some ways to kill weeds without destroying your garden?
You always want to maintain the health and wellness of your garden. Dandelions are not the only weeks that can sprout up to take over your lawn and garden. Try these methods to keep weeds away:
- Use a weed barrier like landscape fabric.
- Get rid of weeds when they are young without much of a root system
- Use mulch to keep weeds from returning
