Monarch Landscaping Logo

How to Manage Lawn Weeds at Your Houston Commercial Property

4 Minute Read

Looking out over your commercial property’s turf, you notice something suspicious. What was once lush, green, healthy-looking grass, now looks discolored, thin, and filled with tiny flowers and seed heads. Dreaded lawn weeds have crept in and found their home in your turf.

Undoubtedly, one of the most frustrating aspects of commercial lawn care in Houston is the ongoing battle against lawn weeds. Let’s discuss why lawn weeds can be so difficult to manage and several techniques to help kick lawn weeds to the curb for good.

The Trouble with Lawn Weeds

The invasion of lawn weeds can tarnish a well-maintained commercial landscape. Many times, the first thing people notice about your landscape is weeds in your turf, even if your entire property looks neat and tidy.

lawn with patches and weeds

Houston's commercial properties frequently battle clover, crabgrass, sedges, and dallisgrass growth throughout their lawns. Considering we only experience two months of cooler temperatures, eliminating and managing weeds is a year-round problem for any commercial property. With the proper lawn care products and diligent monitoring by a commercial lawn care company, your turf can look healthy, green, and weed-free.

Solution 1: Proper Timing & Frequency

To control weeds effectively, timing is everything. While weeds need to be managed year-round, treating your turf with pre-emergent weed control two times is key. In general, pre-emergent weed control should be applied in the early Spring and Fall. It is important to note that temperature also plays an important role in when to apply your pre-emergent. Though it may be Spring, temperatures that are too cold may prevent the pre-emergent from being effective.

lawn care team spreads fertilizer on lawn

In addition to pre-emergent weed control, your commercial lawn care company will likely visit your property to spot spray, targeting specific weeds on your property. Certain weeds do not respond well to pre-emergent weed control and a specialized herbicide will need to be applied to return your lawn to good health.

Solution 2: Utilizing the Right Weed Control Products

Pre-emergent weed control helps to stop weeds before they germinate and take hold in your grass. Grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds like clover and crabgrass are managed mostly by pre-emergent applications. A strong pre-emergent program helps to limit how many times your commercial lawn care company has to come back and deal with lawn weeds.

Monarch_LL_LR_110321_-75

It is important to select a commercial lawn care company that are experts in lawn care. There are an enormous amount of weeds that pop up in your turf, and sometimes identifying them can get tricky. If the lawn weeds are not properly identified, they likely will not be properly treated, resulting in several revisits and additional chemical applications. Typically, one application of post-emergent weed control targeted for your property in late spring can manage most turf weeds that will become a problem.

Solution 3: Non-Chemical Weed Control Tips

A weed control program is not complete if the lawn is not well managed. One of the most successful ways to manage lawn weeds is by starting with strong, healthy turf. Weeds thrive in moist or thin grass. Keeping your property as clean and tidy as possible helps to encourage healthy grass as well. If you are concerned about weeds in your turf, talk with your commercial lawn care company about adding these additional services.

landscape maintenance team mows commercial property

Mowing

Most mowing programs should include at least 42 visits a year. Some properties are even visited up to 52 times a year in order to keep their grass in optimal health. Mowing your lawn at the proper height keeps it more compact and combats weed issues. If you plan to mow yourself, be sure you know what type of turf you have, as mowing heights vary. St. Augustine grass should be mowed between 2 ½ - 3 ½ inches and Bermuda grass should be cut to 1 ½- 2 ½ inches.

Fertilization

Any successful lawn care program must include fertilization. In general, commercial properties should have three to five applications of balanced fertilizer a season. Fertilization helps your grass grow strong root systems and this helps choke out weeds before they can take hold. A proper turf fertilization schedule helps your grass look more vibrant and green.

Selecting the Right Commercial Lawn Care Company in Houston

Finding a commercial lawn care company that effectively manages weeds can be tough. That’s why we’ve written an entire blog on tips for selecting a commercial landscape company in Houston to help you make the right choice.

We have to address one final important topic. You want to choose a company that not only has your property looking great, but also protects the environment. Applying too much chemical weed control product can negatively impact the local and global environment. Too much fertilizer can lead to shallow-rooted turf which is prone to pest damage and is less adaptable to drought conditions. If a company has to come back week after week to reapply weed control, they likely are not choosing the correct pre or post-emergent product, or they are not applying it at the right strength.

The best defense against lawn weeds is healthy turf grass which can be built over time with a competent and educated commercial lawn care company. The company you choose should have a team in place that monitors your property to deal with weeds before you even need to make a phone call.

Are you ready to partner with a commercial landscape management company that offers sustainable, long-term lawn care solutions and recommendations? Get started by filling out our consultation form. We’ll meet to learn more about your property and work together to protect your investment.

Get Started

Written By: Monarch Landscape Management

© 2022 Monarch Landscape Management