To effectively kill dandelions in your lawn, consider the following methods:
Natural and Manual Methods
- Hand Pulling: The most effective natural way is to pull dandelions out by hand, making sure to remove the entire taproot, ideally when the soil is moist to ease removal
- Cutting Below Soil: Cutting the root 4 to 5 inches below the soil surface with a knife or spade can kill the plant, but this is labor-intensive for many weeds
- Boiling Water: Pour boiling water directly on dandelions to kill them, but be careful as it will also harm surrounding plants. Reapply after 7-10 days for better results
- Vinegar Spray: Use horticultural vinegar (20% acidity) or a homemade mix of vinegar and dish soap to kill foliage, though this may not kill the taproot, so regrowth is possible
- Flame Weeding: Use a propane flame weeder to burn dandelions, especially in cracks or hard-to-reach places. This kills foliage but may require repeated applications to kill roots
Chemical Methods
- Selective Herbicides: Use herbicides containing 2,4-D or triclopyr, which kill dandelions without harming grass. Products labeled as "three-way" herbicides or weed-and-feed formulations are effective during the growing season
- Glyphosate-Free Weedkillers: Some products like Yates Zero Triple Strike kill roots and foliage without glyphosate but require careful application to avoid damaging nearby plants
- Spot Treatment: For isolated dandelions, spot spraying with systemic weedkillers is effective, but avoid overspray to protect your lawn
Lawn Care Practices to Prevent Dandelions
- Mow your lawn at a higher height (around 8 cm) to shade out weeds and avoid bare patches where dandelions can establish
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn to block sunlight from reaching weed seeds
- Fertilize properly and water regularly to maintain a dense, healthy lawn that crowds out weeds
- Remove dandelion seeds from clothes, pets, and tools to prevent spreading
Combining these approaches-manual removal, targeted herbicide use, and good lawn care practices-will provide the best results in controlling and preventing dandelions in your lawn.
