Marion County lawn care services
Marion County, the state capital and largest city in Indiana is most famous for two Indiana state parks, Fort Harrison State Park and White River State Park, and numerous municipal parks. Most residents own their homes, which makes the lawn service in Marion lucrative.
The exciting part about Marion County lawn care is that the more frequently you get your lawn care, the more benefits you will reap in the years to come. Marion County lawn care service not only makes your house exterior look fantastic, but it is good for the earth. It also serves as a precautionary measure against invasive species or sicknesses that could hurt your plants.
For a homeowner, nothing can ruin the curb appeal of your home like weeds. You want your lawn to be weed-free.
Common Weed Types in Indiana
Here's a list of the most common weeds in our state and how you can get rid of them.
Crabgrass (Digitaria)
Many homeowners don't even realize this weed is growing in their yard because it looks like real grass. It is one of the most common weeds around here and is often found in the yards of homeowners who usually skip spring fertilizing and pre-emergent treatments. Crabgrass is green and easily blends in with the rest of your lawn, but you can keep an eye out for them by paying attention to a few telltale signs. Crabgrass has thicker blades that don't grow at the same speed as your turfgrass and side shoots that look like tiny branches crabgrass grows outward as it grows inward.
The reason why crabgrass continues to find a spot on your lawn is that you're cutting your grass too short. Most people who hate mowing have been found guilty of this.
Foxtail (Setaria)
Much like crabgrass, foxtail is an annual weed that returns every year if not properly treated. It gets its name from its long, bushy top when it is full-grown which resembles a fox's tail, of course. It is often mistaken for real grass once it finds its way onto your lawn. Lawns that have thin, not lush grass covers are easy victims of the foxtail, including bare grounds and gardens. However, the foxtail isn't picky and can grow in either dry or moist conditions.
To keep this weed off your curb, a full, healthy, well-fed lawn is necessary.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma Hederacea)
The perennial broadleaf weed known as ground ivy is a perennial problem for many homeowners across Indiana. You are more likely to come across this perennial weed if you have many tree cover or other shady spots in your yard. It has slender vines that grow outward and hug the ground. The leaves are rounded with scalloped edges and let off a minty aroma when you step on it. Ground ivy is one of the most pervasive and very hard to kill.
You will need a high-quality herbicide to kill it off but be sure to follow the manufacturer instructions/manual carefully.
Dandelion (Taraxcum Officinale)
A favorite for kids and adults, the unmistakable yellow blossoms of dandelion weeds prefer sunlight but can grow in the shade. Their puffy balls of seed become loose with the slightest bump or breeze when it's time to reproduce. The leaves form a small patch at the ground's base, and their taproots can prove difficult to pull out. Unless the root is completely removed or killed, pieces of it will produce new plants.
Nutsedge (several cyperus variants)
Popularly known as nutgrass, it is an aggressive perennial weed that is difficult to kill. This fast-growing perennial loves the hot summer and easily stands out from your real grass blades for its height it tends to be taller. It has pale green strands that grow faster than most grasses. If you can't easily discern by its color, the nutgrass can be easily identified by its "v-shaped" stem.
Some specialized herbs can help kill it off, but you can also opt to adjust your mowing technique. Raise the height of your mower and leave your lawn taller. This will strengthen your grass to muscle the weed out of the way.
Spurge (Euphorbia Maculata)
Spurge is a "small but mighty" weed that has turned out to be a big nuisance for homeowners across Indiana. You can easily pick out this plant by its red stems and green leaves with small red spots. It can take root and grow very fast anywhere, especially in thin, weak areas of your yard, flowerbeds, and even between cracks or stones in your sidewalk or doorway.
Fortunately, spurge is a bit easy to uproot by hand if you're willing to put a bit of back into it. Although it grows fast and a single plant can produce more than a thousand seeds, you'll easily spot it with a sharp eye. For larger patches and preventative measures, it is best to use a grass-safe herbicide and be sure to keep a healthy, well-manicured lawn.
Basic Weed Prevention and Control
While keeping the root system well-fed with the right amount of nutrients and water to stay healthy will help maintain the health and density of your lawn, aeration and seeding will thicken your lawn, giving less room for weeds to germinate.
The best defense is a good offense. Since weeds can only grow on unkempt and unhealthy lawns, your best preventive measure is to keep your lawn thick and healthy. Hence, the need for a full-service lawn care provider. Lawn love is a highly rated Marion County lawn services provider.
Treating weeds is an endless battle that depends on factors such as temperature, humidity, and timing. Let the experts at Lawn Love help you.