The Easiest Way To Get Rid Of Quackgrass
We all want our lawns to look their best. They are, after all, the first place visitors come upon, and you want to make a good first impression. Unfortunately, quackgrass is one of the most common and stubborn weed varieties homeowners find on their front lawns.
According to Round Up, quackgrass can easily be mistaken for crabgrass because they're both the same lime green and consist of fine, flat, coarse blades of leaves. Unlike crabgrass, however, quackgrass' root system penetrates much deeper into the soil. As a result, they can grow to a height of 4 feet and have a lifetime of up to five years! This is why getting rid of it as soon as possible is important.
So, how can you dispose of it? Well, there are many ways out there, but we think there's one foolproof method you should try to remove the quackgrass on your lawn in no time.
A quick DIY herbicide
As Tips Bulletin recommends, a mixture of vinegar and citrus oil is one of the easiest approaches to combat quackgrass. Now, it's important to note that the regular vinegar you have at home isn't going to work for this. For effective results, you will need to purchase industrial-strength vinegar with an acidity of about 10%.
Use a ratio of 10 drops of citrus oil to 2 cups of vinegar to make your mixture. They recommend filling a spray bottle with the solution for easy application. The next step is to spray and coat all your quackgrass blades with the mixture. Finally, make sure you soak the plant long enough for the vinegar and citrus oil to penetrate deep into its roots. They suggest carrying out this procedure every couple of days for a few weeks until you start to see results.
The Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides notes that you should use vinegar-based herbicides on warm, dry days for best results. They also warn that you should mindfully avoid the good plants you don't want to accidentally kill.
Prevention is key
Now that you know what to do to get rid of the quackgrass in your yard, it's equally important to note that preventing it from returning can save you a lot of trouble. According to American Lawns, the most efficient way to make sure weeds have no place in your lawn is to maintain a thick and healthy amount of grass in your front yard. This way, weeds have no space to thrive and won't bother you. They also note that a thick grass cover will stop sunlight from reaching weed seeds that may be lying around, making sure they never see the light of day.
Solutions Pets & Lawn notes that good lawn care practices, including a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, can help you achieve a thick layer of lawn grass, ensuring quackgrass and other weeds have no room for growth. They also recommend carefully monitoring your yard to make sure that the weed doesn't appear again.