Herbicides That Won't Kill Grass

Weeds are the bane of many homeowners, spoiling an otherwise perfect lawn. There are two broad categories of herbicides: non-selective and selective. To treat your lawn, the herbicide you use must be selective. These types of herbicides act only on certain plants, leaving your grass unharmed. Look for this information on the herbicide label. It will indicate the directions for use as well as the intended application.

Weed and Feed Treatments

Weed and feed products contain pre-emergent herbicides for weed control. Pre-emergent refers to the timing of the application. Apply these herbicides before the weed are visible in your lawn. Look for products made to attack weeds that you have observed in your lawn in previous years, recommends the University of California.

These treatments work best if applied a few weeks before weed germination. Follow up by thoroughly watering your lawn to help the herbicides penetrate into the soil. These products work well for treating annual weeds such as crabgrass. Weed and feed treatments provide a convenient way to accomplish two landscaping tasks at once.

Broadleaf Herbicides

Broadleaf herbicides target non-grass weeds. The term broadleaf refers to the wider surface of the weed's leaf. These herbicides do not affect grass because of the different physiology of these plants. Herbicides act on certain enzymes present in broadleaf weeds. The product's label will provide more complete information about usage.

These products often contain a mixture of active ingredients, providing a more effective solution for weeds in your lawn. These herbicides are a good way of ridding your yard of perennial weeds, such as creeping Charlie. They penetrate down into the roots, killing the entire plant. Timing is an important consideration for herbicide application, explains the Purdue University Extension. Some weeds, such as dandelions, are best treated in late fall.

Post-Emergent Herbicides

Sometimes, weed problems reveal themselves seemingly overnight. In these cases, a post-emergent herbicide is your best choice. These herbicides are selective agents that will only harm the intended target. Check the label carefully before using these types of herbicides. While most will not kill grass, there may be restrictions as to the type of grasses that will not be affected. Consult your state agricultural extension office for assistance identifying the grasses in your lawn.

These products are sold under numerous brand names. The label will provide the active ingredient. You can use this information to further research the herbicide on the Pesticide Action Network website. The database can also help you select a herbicide which addresses any specific concerns you may have, such as proximity to aquatic resources or toxicity.