Targeted herbicide treatments for broadleaf weeds, crabgrass, spurge, and problem grasses in Davis County, timed to when weeds are most vulnerable through Utah's growing season.
Weeds compete with your grass for water, sunlight, and nutrients. In Davis County’s alkaline clay soil, that competition matters more because resources are already limited. A thin or stressed lawn gives weeds the opening they need. Our weed control service uses targeted herbicide applications timed to when specific weeds are actively growing and most vulnerable to treatment. We treat what is already there and help prevent what has not come up yet.
Not all weeds respond to the same treatment. Understanding what type of weed you are dealing with determines how we treat it and when.
Broadleaf weeds are the most common weed problem in Davis County. These include dandelions, clover, bindweed (morning glory), and plantain. They have wide, flat leaves that look nothing like grass. Broadleaf weeds are perennial, meaning they return from existing root systems year after year. Pulling them by hand often leaves root fragments behind that regrow. Targeted broadleaf herbicide kills the plant down to the root without harming Kentucky bluegrass.
Crabgrass is an annual grassy weed. It germinates from seed each spring when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees, grows aggressively through summer, then dies in fall. A single crabgrass plant can produce thousands of seeds before it dies. Those seeds wait in the soil and come back the following year. Crabgrass is best controlled with pre-emergent treatment before it germinates. Once it is established, post-emergent options are limited and less effective.
Spurge is a low-growing annual weed that forms flat mats in thin or stressed turf and along sidewalks and driveways. It is common throughout Davis County, especially in lawns that are cut too short or have bare patches. Like crabgrass, spurge germinates from seed each spring and is best controlled with both pre-emergent and in season treatments as spurge can often reseed past the control window of pre-emergent . Established spurge can be treated with broadleaf herbicide.
Orchard and wild grasses are grassy weeds that look similar to Kentucky bluegrass but grow in clumps, have wider blades, or grow faster and lighter in color. These include tall fescue clumps, quackgrass, and bentgrass. Most grassy weeds cannot be selectively removed with herbicide because the chemicals that kill them also harm Kentucky bluegrass. The typical approach is to spot-treat the clump with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate, remove the dead material, and reseed or re-sod the area.
Weed control is not a single product or a one-time visit. It is a combination of treatments applied at the right time through the growing season.
Blanket spray covers the entire lawn with a broadleaf herbicide mixed with fertilizer. We use this approach in early spring when temperatures are cool and broadleaf weeds are starting to emerge across the lawn. Blanket spraying provides the most even coverage and catches weeds you cannot see yet.
Spot treatment targets individual weeds or clusters without treating the entire lawn. We use spot treatment on follow-up visits and during summer when temperatures are high. Blanket spraying in heat can stress turf, so targeted spot treatment is safer and still effective on active weeds.
Herbicide selection changes by season. Spring and fall herbicides are formulated to work in cooler temperatures when weeds are actively growing. Summer herbicides are heat-tolerant formulations that control weeds without burning Kentucky bluegrass. Applying the wrong herbicide at the wrong temperature reduces effectiveness and risks turf damage.
We adjust the approach on every visit based on what the lawn needs at that point.
Weeds are easiest to kill when they are actively growing. A weed that is stressed by heat, drought, or dormancy does not absorb herbicide as effectively. Timing treatments to the weed’s growth cycle is what produces consistent results.
Early spring (March-April) is the best time for aggressive broadleaf treatment. Dandelions, clover, and other perennial weeds are pushing new growth. They absorb herbicide quickly and translocate it to the root system. This is also when pre-emergent goes down to block crabgrass and spurge before they germinate.
Late spring (May-June) catches the next wave of broadleaf weeds that emerge as temperatures climb. Weeds are still actively growing and vulnerable. This is typically the visit with the heaviest weed control workload.
Summer (July-August) requires a different approach. High temperatures reduce herbicide effectiveness and increase the risk of burning turf. We switch to heat-tolerant formulations and focus on spot treatment rather than blanket application. Some tough perennial weeds like bindweed (morning glory) take most of a season to fully eliminate, so summer treatments continue the pressure started in spring.
Fall (September-October) is a second strong window for broadleaf weed control. Weeds are actively growing again as temperatures cool, and they absorb herbicide well. Fall treatment helps clean up anything that survived summer and reduces the number of weeds coming back the following spring.
Herbicide does not kill weeds instantly. After treatment, broadleaf weeds typically take 10 to 14 days to show visible results. You will see leaves curling, twisting, and changing color before the plant dies. Some weeds shrivel quickly. Others, especially perennial weeds with deep root systems, take longer.
Tough weeds like bindweed (morning glory) and oxalis can take a full season of repeated treatments to fully control. These weeds have extensive root systems that store energy underground. Each treatment weakens the root system, but it may take multiple applications before the weed stops coming back.
After treatment, you may also see new weeds appear between visits. This is normal. Weed seeds in the soil germinate throughout the growing season as conditions change. New weeds that appear after one visit are targeted on the next visit. Consistent treatment through the season reduces overall weed pressure over time.
If you notice heavy weed activity between scheduled visits, call or text us. We can schedule a follow-up treatment before your next regular visit.
Herbicide removes weeds. But only a healthy, thick lawn prevents them from coming back. Weed control and fertilization work as a pair. If you kill weeds but do not feed the grass to fill in the gaps, new weeds will take the same spots next season.
This is why our seasonal programs combine weed control and fertilization on the same visits. The herbicide removes weeds. The fertilizer feeds the grass so it grows thick enough to crowd weeds out naturally. A dense, well-fed Kentucky bluegrass lawn is the best long-term weed barrier.
Mowing height also matters. Keeping your mower at 3.5 to 4 inches shades the soil surface, which reduces weed seed germination and slows existing weed growth. Lawns that are mowed too short are more susceptible to crabgrass, spurge, and broadleaf weed invasion.
Core aeration helps too. Loosening compacted soil allows grass roots to grow deeper and stronger, which produces thicker turf that leaves less room for weeds.
Broadleaf weed control is included on every applicable visit of all three lawn programs: the Full Season Lawn Program, the Insecticide Protection Program, and the Fungus/NRS Program. Pre-emergent for crabgrass and spurge is applied on Visit 1 of all programs.
If you are not on a seasonal program, weed control can be scheduled as a standalone service. We can do a single treatment for an active weed problem or set up a seasonal schedule for consistent control through the growing season. For the best results, we recommend pairing weed control with fertilization.
Most broadleaf weeds show visible results within 10 to 14 days. You will see curling and twisting of the leaves before the plant dies. Tough perennial weeds like bindweed can take multiple treatments over a full season.
Once the application has dried, treated areas are considered safe. We recommend keeping pets off the lawn for a few hours after treatment until the product dries completely.
Weed seeds can survive in soil for years. Each season, new seeds germinate as conditions allow. Consistent treatment reduces the overall seed bank over time, but it takes more than one visit to achieve lasting control. Thick, healthy turf is the best long-term defense.
Post-emergent crabgrass control is possible but less effective than prevention. Pre-emergent treatment applied before germination is the most reliable way to control crabgrass. If crabgrass is already established, we can treat it, but results vary depending on how mature the plants are.
That is usually a grassy weed like tall fescue, quackgrass, or bentgrass. These cannot be selectively removed with herbicide. We recommend spot-treating the clump with a non-selective product (Round-up), remove the dead material, and recommend reseeding or re-sodding the area.
We serve Davis County, Utah, including Bountiful, Layton, Kaysville, Farmington, Centerville, Clearfield, Syracuse, Fruit Heights, Woods Cross, West Bountiful, and North Salt Lake.
Contact us for a free estimate. We will evaluate your lawn and recommend the right weed control approach for your situation.
Phone: 801-451-2220 Text: 801-893-8836