How to prevent spring weeds before they spread
Identify weed-prone areas
The best time to spot weeds is in early spring when your lawn begins to greenup. Weeds thrive in thinning grass and exposed soil, often caused by:
Addressing these problem areas early stops weeds from taking hold. If you notice compacted soil, discolored patches, or poor growth, consider topdressing and aeration to improve conditions before seeding.
Remove weeds early with a pre-emergent weed killer
Early removal is essential for controlling spring weeds before they spread.
- Hand pull stand-alone or large weeds to remove roots altogether. If manual removal is not practical, you may need to opt for a pre-emergent weed killer.
- Apply Weed & Green to help prevent crabgrass and other weeds while providing deep-greening iron to green up your lawn faster.
Wait, Sunday has a pre-emergent weed killer?
Weed & Green Hose-End Spray is Sunday's newest DIY grass and weed prevention tool. But it's not like the other guys. It's a broadcast pre-emergent lawn spray made from a high concentration of iron—without all the harmful pre-emergent chemicals you don't want.
Sunday Tip:
Bonus? Weed & Green can also be used as a post-emergent weed control lawn spray for those pesky weeds that make it through the first application.
Weed & Green Pre-emergent and Post-Emergent Weed Killer
- Prevents crabgrass & weeds
- Controls weeds, moss & disease
- Greens up lawn quickly
- Easy to apply
- Made for all lawns
Sunday Tip:
Why remove weeds when they're small? Smaller weeds have weaker roots, making them easier to pull with minimal soil disturbance. Weed control also works faster and more effectively when weeds are small and young.
Fill bare spots to keep weeds out
A thick, healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds. Even in well-maintained yards, some grass dies each year. Seeding each spring stops weeds from moving into bare or thinning spots.
Patching bare spots
Start patching bare spots when temperatures consistently hold above 50° F for cool-season grasses and 70°F for warm-season grasses.
Overseeding for weed prevention
Overseeding cool-season grasses in early spring or fall and warm-season grasses in early summer strengthens your lawn’s ability to crowd out weeds.
Sunday Tip:
Have a warm-season lawn that can’t be overseeded? Try sodding, plugging, or sprigging to fill thin areas and naturally prevent spring weeds from establishing.
Long-term strategies for seasonal weed control
Preventing spring weeds is just the beginning. A few key maintenance practices will keep your lawn weed-free all season long.
- Watering smart: Lawns that receive the right amount of water are more resilient to weeds. Avoid overwatering or underwatering, as both can create conditions for weed growth.
- Mowing at the right height: Keeping grass at an optimal height shades out weed seedlings and discourages their growth.
- Applying targeted treatments: Use Dandelion Doom or Weed Warrior throughout the season to control persistent weeds without harming your lawn or garden.
- Overseeding annually. Seeding isn't a one and done type deal. To kick weeds for good, you'll need to overseed your lawn each year, sometimes twice per season for very weedy lawns.
Key takeaways to take control of your lawn this spring
Preventing weeds before they take hold is the key to a healthy, weed-free summer lawn.
Spot weed-prone areas, remove weeds early, and use integrated maintenance techniques to keep your yard weed-free.
For bigger weed problems, try Weed & Green Hose-End Spray—a better pre-emergent weed killer for lawns that's made from iron to prevent weeds and green up your lawn.
Need more help? Explore our full range of weed killer solutions to keep your lawn looking its best.
Let's get growing
Our lawn engine uses satellite data to map out your lawn size and determine things like average rainfall, common weeds, and pest activity.
Cited sources
Auditing home lawn irrigation systems. University of Minnesota
Essential Tips for a Healthy Lawn, Part I. University of Minnesota Extension.
Lawn care calendar. University of Minnesota Extension.
Managing Weeds in Lawns. University of Minnesota Extension.
Turgeon, A.J. and J.E. Kaminski. Turfgrass Management.
Water Wise Lawns. Cornell University Extension.
