Broadleaf Weed Control: How to Get Rid of Broadleaf Weeds

This page is a general broadleaf weed control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you can get control of any broadleaf weed species. The broadleaf weed subcategory pages give additional information on the different species and specific treatment instructions and options. Follow these guides and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of all broadleaf weed types.

Broadleaf weeds stick out like a sore thumb on a uniform lawn because they are not grasses. Some of the more sneaky and hard-to-control broadleaf weeds are those annual weeds that commonly invade lawns like dandelions, chickweed, and clover. 

Broadleaf weeds can appear on any type of lawn and their seeds can lay dormant for 30 or more years. They can show up on your lawn from low-quality seed mixes, soil compaction, and a number of other possible factors.

Broadleaf weeds not only hurt the look of your lawn, but they can also steal sun, water, and other essential nutrients from your turfgrass, putting the health of your yard at risk.

Here you can learn how to get rid of broadleaf weeds on your lawn. You can also shop here for the best broadleaf weed killers available for broadleaf weed control.

By using our professional broadleaf weed killer products according to the step-by-step DIY instructions below, you will learn exactly how to tackle a large number of different broadleaf weeds quickly and save money doing it.

Identification

The tricky thing about weed control is that a herbicide that might work for one type of weed may not be effective against a different weed.

Knowing what broadleaf weed you are dealing with will help you to understand what the weeds tendencies and characteristics are and also which one of our products can best treat that particular weed.

• So what does a broadleaf weed look like? A broadleaf weed has wide, distinct leaves with a different vein pattern from grassy weeds. Some will also have colorful flowers which sprout and stand out among the grass where it is growing.
• Do you know what type of broadleaf weed you have? There are many different types of weeds that are identified as broadleaf weeds. Some of the common types are dandelion, clover, dollarweed, and plantain. While there are hundreds of types, we cover a general list of broadleaf weed species you may encounter on a lawn.

Browse the subcategories on this page to find out more about the most common broadleaf weeds and view in-depth guides on how to eliminate each specific weed from your lawn.

Inspection

Invasive broadleaf weeds are nasty opportunists. They lay in your yard soil waiting for the right conditions to emerge and invade the area. If the conditions are ideal or a bare spot opens up or there are some areas where the grass is thinning out, broadleaf weeds will pounce on the opportunity to take over.

Where to Inspect

A thorough inspection of your lawn may provide you with some answers.

Taking note of the time of the year the weed is prevalent, whether your soil has enough nutrients or is under stress can also be factors as to why the target weed is dominating your lawn. A detailed inspection can also help you in knowing where to focus your herbicide treatments.

Here are some things you can do during the inspection phase:

• Do a soil test
• Observe your grass type
• Scan your yard
• Measure your yard
• Assess the severity of weed infestation

What to Look For

Inspect the area and note any plant materials that may need to be avoided when making herbicide applications.

Many ornamental plants can be injured if they are exposed to broadleaf herbicide applications. Note any areas where weeds are present.

Treatment

After you have carefully inspected your yard for your problem weed, you can proceed with broadleaf weed treatment.

Use a broadleaf weed killer that is recommended for your specific weed type. Be sure to read and follow label directions so you get the proper application and mixing rates.

Checking the label will also let you know specifically when specific broadleaf weed the herbicide product can control.

Make sure to wear the proper personal protective equipment before applying any herbicides to your yard.

Step 1 - Mix MSM Turf Herbicide in a Sprayer

MSM Turf Herbicide is our best broadleaf weed killer that we highly recommend for broad-spectrum broadleaf weed control because of its effectiveness, wide label and ease of use.

It is formulated to treat many different weeds on various turf types. MSM Turf Herbicide comes as an easy to mix liquid solution that can cover up to 1 acre of turf. You should also add a surfactant to the msm turf herbicide mixture such as; Nanotek Surfactant to enhance the effectiveness of the msm turf herbicide. 

Measure the square footage of your yard and then input the appropriate amount of msm turf herbicide in a pump sprayer or hose-end sprayer, then mix with water. Add surfactant to the msm turf herbicide mixture at a rate of 0.24 tsp (1 gram) pre gallon of solution and agitate until well mixed.

The addition of the surfactant will allow the herbicide to stick to and spread over the leaf surface and allow the herbicide to be absorbed into the leaf tissue. Noticeable results may take 1 to 3 weeks for the product to reach its maximum effects depending on the broadleaf weed variety and environmental conditions.

Step 2 - Apply To Treatment Area

Lightly spray the msm turf herbicide mixture where the broadleaf weeds are established, spraying just on the top of the leaf surface, being careful of wind drift. Avoid spraying areas where ornamental plants would be contacted. Only spray on the surface of the weeds and allow msm turf herbicide to absorb into the plant.

When spraying, be careful around desired woody plants like flower bushes and trees. If you have a yard with trees, you'd be better off spot spraying rather than broadcast spraying to avoid spraying the plants you wish to keep. Even though msm turf herbicide is a selective herbicide, it has the potential to damage trees and woody plants.

Step 3 - Follow Up Application

Timing is important when applying herbicides. For example, the early spring is the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicides. If the broadleaf weed has emerged, a post-emergent such as msm turf herbicide should be applied when the plant is young and actively growing. If large areas of damage have occurred due to disease or pest activity, re-sodding or seeding will be needed to prevent weeds from filling in these bare spots.

Check back in 10 to 14 days to see how well the initial application has worked. You should be able to notice yellowing and wilting of the broadleaf weed you want gone. In some cases, you may need to reapply.

Prevention

The best defense against broadleaf weeds is a thick lush lawn that is properly maintained and well-fed. A dense nutrient-rich lawn will be better able to choke out weeds and not allow them room to establish.

• Mowing regularly at the right height for your grass type
• Watering your grass deeply yet infrequently
• Fertilize your lawn so it doesnt have a deficiency.
• Choose a turfgrass that can prevent weeds.

Key Takeaways

What are Broadleaf Weeds?

• Broadleaf Weeds are any invasive piece of vegetation that grows wide, distinct leaves in areas where they are not wanted.
• Broadleaf weeds can be frustrating to deal with on your lawn, but they arent impossible to get rid of.

How To Kill Broadleaf Weeds on Your Lawn

• Identify what weed is invading your lawn, how big of an issue it is, then equip yourself with a broadleaf weed killer like msm turf herbicide to target your broadleaf weed problem.
• You may be tempted to go cheap and buy a general broadleaf weed killer from a box store but you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Our herbicides have a large percentage of active ingredient in high quality concentrates.
• Mixing a small dosage of broadleaf weed killer with water will yield a lot more product and will last you for a whole lot more applications than one watered down generic weed killer container. You'll save a ton of money over time.

Preventing Broadleaf Weed Growth

• You can discourage the growth of broadleaf weeds by implementing cultural practices that promote a thick, healthy lawn that will make it difficult for broadleaf weeds to establish themselves.
• Mow your grass regularly, water deeply yet infrequently and fertilize your lawn at the right time to hinder the development of Broadleaf weeds.
• Understanding which nutrients are needed for your turf variety at the proper time of the year is essential to preventing broadleaf weeds and the overall health of your lawn.