Weed control is the first thing we tackle when creating a beautiful and hassle-free outdoor space for you to enjoy.

Weed Control Services

Weeds will detract from the beauty of your lawn due to the contrast in color and texture between the desired grass plants and the weeds. Weeds also compete with the desired grass plants for available water and nutrients, usually resulting in thinning of desirable plant cover.

Weeds are just plants that are out of place. A plant may be desirable in one situation and a weed in another. Some typical broadleaf weeds that we have to deal with in Minnesota are dandelions, thistle, chickweed, clover, henbit, ground ivy, knotweed, mallow, spurge, and yarrow. Some typical grass weeds are barnyardgrass, crabgrass, foxtail, and goosegrass. Whatever your weed is we can provide a solution.

The most effective method of controlling lawn weeds is to maintain a dense and vigorously growing turf cover. Weeds are often an indication of problems in the grass plant environment, and killing the weeds without correcting the underlying problem will lead to unsatisfactory results. For example, a problem with knotweed is usually an indication of severe soil compaction. Control of knotweed without correction of the soil compaction will only lead to sparse soil cover until the area is again invaded by weeds that grow in compacted soil.

Often turf weeds can be controlled simply by altering the cultural practices to favor the grass plants rather than the weeds. The cultural controls may include raising (or lowering) the mowing height, changing the frequency of mowing, lengthening (or shortening) the period between irrigations, increasing (or decreasing) the application of fertilizer, or aerifying the soil.

Preemergence Herbicides

Preemergence herbicides affect germinating seeds. To be effective, the herbicide should be applied two to three weeks before weed seeds germinate. Consequently, preemergence herbicides are most effective against annual weeds.

Postemergence Herbicides

Postemergence herbicides are used to kill weeds after the weed plants are up and growing. To be effective, most postemergence herbicides must be absorbed through the leaves; consequently, liquid sprays generally work better than dry, granular materials. Postemergence herbicides are most effectively applied when weeds are young and growing vigorously.

Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie)

Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is also known as Creeping Charlie. This creeping perennial weed infests lawns and flower beds. It is a vigorous and low growing plant. It has scalloped round opposite leaves on square stems. Creeping Charlie's slightly hairy leaves closely resemble common mallow but are a lot smaller. They range from about the size of a dime up to a little larger than a quarter. The flowers are small, blue to purple in color, and grow in clusters. Its funnel shaped flowers grow at the leaf axis or near the tip of the stem. The flowers are usually most visible in the spring time. The crushed leaves and stems have a distinct odor that some say is mint-like.

Ground Ivy spreads by seed and stolons. It can root at each leaf node so it establishes itself very quickly, especially in wet, shady areas. It also can grow well in sunny locations. The dense mats formed by the spreading plants are very difficult to pull. The other problem with pulling ground ivy is the difficulty in getting the whole plant. Any rooted nodes left just grow and spread. Most common broad-leaved weed controls are ineffective by themselves. Cultural practices will help but not give complete control..