Finding broadleaf grass mixed in with your lawn can be frustrating. While often considered a weed, broadleaf grass is actually a type of turfgrass. However, its wide blade and spreading growth habit make it undesirable for manicured lawns.
The good news is that with persistence and the right approach, you can get rid of broadleaf grass and restore a uniform lawn. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Understanding Broadleaf Grass
Before getting into removal methods, it’s helpful to understand exactly what broadleaf grass is:
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Broadleaf grass belongs to the turfgrass family, which also includes fine fescues, ryegrass, and bluegrass.
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It has a coarse wide blade rather than the narrow blades of typical lawn grasses.
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Broadleaf grass spreads aggressively through above-ground stolons and rhizomes
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It can tolerate a wide range of conditions including heat drought and shade.
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Broadleaf grass often invades thin, stressed areas of lawn and blends in at first glance.
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Upon closer inspection, its wider blades cause an uneven, bunchy appearance in lawns.
Step 1: Proper Identification
The first step in removing broadleaf grass is confirming you have correctly identified it.
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Examine your lawn closely, looking for areas with wider grass blades.
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Compare the grassy weed to pictures of broadleaf grass to confirm it’s a match.
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Rule out other similar coarse grasses like crabgrass and quackgrass.
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Proper ID ensures you use the right removal methods for broadleaf grass.
Step 2: Improve Lawn Health
A vigorous, dense lawn is the best defense against broadleaf grass invasion. Weak lawn areas are most susceptible.
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Fertilize regularly with a balanced turf fertilizer.
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Mow at the proper height for your grass type and sharpen blades often.
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Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
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Dethatch and aerate compacted areas to enhance growth.
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Overseed bare spots and re-sod larger damaged sections.
Step 3: Manual Removal
For small amounts of broadleaf grass, manual removal using hand tools is effective:
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Use a sturdy dandelion fork or shovel to dig deep under the broadleaf grass clumps.
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Ensure you remove all the weed’s root system and rhizomes spreading under the lawn’s surface.
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Refill holes and voids with seed, soil, or sod to match the existing grass.
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Plan to monitor and hand dig any new broadleaf grass sprouts you see.
Step 4: Herbicide Application
For larger broadleaf infestations, applying a selective herbicide can help kill it off:
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Use a liquid broadleaf herbicide containing dicamba or triclopyr as the active ingredient.
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Adhere to label instructions carefully regarding timing and rate of application.
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Apply on a calm day to avoid drift onto desirable plants. Spot treat only infested areas if possible.
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It may take multiple herbicide applications to fully kill broadleaf grass. Monitor and re-apply as needed.
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Overseed treated areas 2-3 weeks after application to fill in bare spots.
Step 5: Smothering
Smothering is another non-chemical option for killing broadleaf grass:
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Cover infested patches with several overlapping layers of cardboard or thick plastic sheeting.
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Weigh down the edges well with bricks, stones, or soil. Leave covered for at least 4-6 weeks.
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The blockage of sunlight prevents photosynthesis, eventually killing broadleaf grass.
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Once dead, remove the cover material and debris. Rake, level, and re-sod or reseed.
Step 6: Ongoing Prevention
Getting rid of broadleaf grass takes persistence. Continue these practices to prevent re-infestation:
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Maintain thick, vigorously growing turfgrass to deter broadleaf.
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Inspect your lawn routinely for any stray broadleaf sprouts.
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Monitor high traffic areas and lawn edges especially closely.
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Hand pull or spot treat new broadleaf grass plants before they spread.
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Adjust lawn care or soil issues that may allow broadleaf to invade.
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Reseed or resod promptly after removing broadleaf to prevent bare areas.
Eradicating broadleaf grass thoroughly from your lawn takes time and effort. But with the right combination of improving lawn health, manual removal, herbicide treatment, and prevention, you can reclaim a beautiful uniform turf free of broadleaf grass.
How to identify broadleaf weeds
Weeds that look like grass are harder to spot than weeds that look like grass because broadleaf plants don’t look like grass at all. However, pinpointing which specific broadleaf weed is terrorizing your lawn requires a bit more investigative work.
Here are some characteristics to take note of that can make weed identification easier:
- Shape of the leaf: Broadleaf weeds have a wider range of leaf shapes than grassy weeds. Leaf margins: These are the edges of a leaf. They can be smooth, serrated, and lobed, among others. When plants have leaves on their stems in a certain way, this is called phyllotaxy. They can be opposite, alternate, or whorled. Being aware of a leaf stalk Being aware of a leaf sheath
- Flowers
- Growth habit or pattern
It is important for people to know how long different types of broadleaf weeds live so they can spot them:
- Annual weeds grow, produce seeds, and die all within the course of one year. Depending on when they sprout, they can be put into two groups: summer annuals and winter annuals.
- Most of the time, perennial weeds bloom in the spring and die back in the winter. Biennial plants only live a couple of years.
- A perennial weed can grow in all four seasons, depending on the type of plant it is.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)
Sometimes called dead nettle, henbit loves moist, shady lawns, so practice proper lawn care and avoid overwatering your lawn. It’s a member of the mint family that germinates in spring and grows quickly. The flower stalks can grow 4 to 12 inches tall.
- Life cycle: Winter annual
- Spreads through: Seeds
- Leaves have scalloped edges; stems are long and a purple-brown color; flowers are pink or purple and grow in tubular whorls.
How to Get Rid of Broadleaf Weeds: Lawn Care Tips
FAQ
How do I get rid of broad leaf grass?
How to get rid of broad blade grass?
Does vinegar kill broad leaf weeds?
What is the best broadleaf weed killer?
If you have noticed a few weeds appearing in your lawn, at seams in the pavement, and in your flowerbeds, the best broadleaf weed killer may be a spot-treatment spray. These sprays are meant to kill weeds within a few weeks following application.
How do you get rid of broadleaf weeds?
Take care of weeds for good! Mix vinegar, soap, salt, and essential oil in a bucket. Stir well to dissolve salt. Pour some of the vegetation-killing liquid into a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Thoroughly spray unwanted broadleaf weeds. Use this spray on a sunny day on dry weeds for the best results.
Are broadleaf weeds bad for your lawn?
Weeds compete with your grass for water, oxygen, and nutrition. When broadleaf weeds take up residence in your lawn, they can suck moisture and nutrition out of the soil, in effect starving your grass. The stronger and more numerous the weeds get, the weaker your grass becomes in tandem. Additionally, weeds simply look bad in a yard.
How do I keep my lawn broadleaf-free?
One of the best ways to keep your lawn broadleaf-free is to ensure your grass is healthy. A thick, well-groomed lawn provides fewer opportunities for weeds to sprout. Bare patches and sickly grass are easy prey for broadleaf invaders. Fertilize your lawn with a custom lawn plan from Sunday.