# What Kills Grasses & Weeds?
Grasses and other weeds threaten your preferred vegetation by using up the soil's nutrients, reducing air circulation and absorbing soil moisture. The majority of the time a high weed population indicates underling problems such as thick thatch, soil compaction and improper cultural practices. Choose from pre-emergent, selective and broad-spectrum herbicides based on the grasses and weeds you want to kill, and your nearby vegetation, before the health of your landscape suffers,
-
Types of Weeds
-
Understanding the different types of weeds helps you choose the correct herbicide to use. Weeds are broken up into three main types: grassy, sedge and broadleaf weeds. Grass and sedge weeds look alike except for the tips of their blades. Grassy weeds have triangular tips and sedges have rounded tips. Broadleaf weeds are more brightly colored than grass or sedges. Furthermore, all three weeds can grow year-round in the form of cool-season and warm-season weeds.
Pre-Emergent Herbicides
-
Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seeds from germinating. However, they are not effective on seeds that already have germinated or existing weeds. Spray your lawns and garden areas with pre-emergent herbicides right before soil temperatures favor weed growth. For example, crabgrass pre-emergent herbicide should be sprayed before soil temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of Rhode Island. Lawns can be sprayed with pre-emergent herbicides that prevent broadleaf, grass and sedge weed growth. Garden beds should be sprayed with pre-emergent herbicides that prevent grass or sedge weed seed from germinating, because pre-emergent herbicides targeting broadleaf weeds can prevent ornamental flower seeds from germinating.
Selective Herbicides
-
Selective herbicides target certain weeds. These herbicides are chemically formulated to kill specific weeds without harming your desired grass or flower vegetation. Check the label of your herbicide to ensure that it will not effect your grass or ornamental flowers. Typically, gardeners spray selective herbicides for grassy weeds in flower beds. However, there are selective herbicides that kill sedge, broadleaf and grassy weeds that can be applied to the lawn without harming the grass.
Broad-Spectrum Herbicides
-
Broad-spectrum herbicides kill anything that the spray contacts. Use broad-spectrum herbicide in areas that you want to renovate or are away from vegetation. Using broad-spectrum herbicides that contain glyphosate will remove grassy weeds without leaving soil residue – so you can plant grass seed after the weeds have died. When using broad-spectrum herbicides, spray weeds on a dry and wind-free day to prevent harming nearby vegetation.
-
