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 over 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 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 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 how to tackle many 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 understand the weed's tendencies and characteristics and also which one of our products can best treat that 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 that sprout and stand out among the grass where it is growing.
• Do you know what type of broadleaf weed you have? Many different types of weeds are identified as broadleaf weeds. Some 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 learn more about the most common broadleaf weeds and view in-depth guides on eliminating each 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, a bare spot opens up, or in 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 explain why the target weed is dominating your lawn. A detailed inspection can also help you know 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 must be avoided when making herbicide applications.

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

Treatment

After carefully inspecting 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. Read and follow label directions to get the proper application and mixing rates.

Checking the label will also inform you specifically when the herbicide product can control specific broadleaf weeds.

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, and we highly recommend it 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 is an easy-to-mix liquid solution covering 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 property. Find the square footage by measuring the length and width of the treatment area in feet, then multiply them together (length X width = square footage).

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

Adding the surfactant will allow the herbicide to stick to and spread over the leaf surface, allowing 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 and 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 than broadcast spraying to avoid spraying the plants you wish to keep. Even though MSM Turf Herbicide is selective, it can potentially 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 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 the 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 doesn't have a deficiency.
• Choose a turfgrass that can prevent weeds.

Key Takeaways

What are Broadleaf Weeds?

• Broadleaf weeds are any invasive vegetation that grows wide, distinct leaves in areas that are not wanted.
• Broadleaf weeds can be frustrating to deal with on your lawn, but they aren't impossible to eliminate.

How To Kill Broadleaf Weeds on Your Lawn

• Identify what weed is invading your lawn and 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 the active ingredients in high-quality concentrates.
• Mixing a small dosage of broadleaf weed killer with water will yield more product and will last you for many 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 promoting a thick, healthy lawn that will make it difficult for them 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.