8 Weed-Killing Mistakes You’re Probably Making in Your Yard

Every gardener knows that when the weather warms, it’s weed-killing season. Weeds can harm your garden and lawn and steal nutrients your precious plants need. On top of that, they take away from the outdoor aesthetic you’ve worked hard to create.

While most homeowners have their preference of weed control, some methods might be detrimental to your lawn, and you should avoid making these mistakes.

Curious to see if yours made the list? For this guide, we spoke to a landscaping expert for their take on the 8 common weed-killing mistakes homeowners make, and the best way to kill weeds for a healthy lawn.

Using Bleach or Other Household Products

Bleach is a powerful cleaner that some gardeners use for removing pesky weeds. While this household cleaner is effective at removing smaller weeds, it’s actually not a recommended product to use in your gardening maintenance.

“Many gardeners mistakenly use household products, like bleach or vinegar, as weed killers, thinking they are eco-friendly alternatives,” Neimann says. “However, these products can damage soil health and kill beneficial organisms.”

How to Fix

Have you been using bleach to remove weeds? Don’t freak out just yet. There’s a simple solution to correcting this common weed-killing mistake, and that’s to simply switch your weed killers.

“The best methods for weed removal are manual pulling or using appropriate herbicides for your specific needs,” Neimann recommends.

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Failing to Remove the Roots

Removing weeds the good old-fashioned way with your hands can be an effective measure of keeping your lawn and garden weed-free, but it might not be as effective as you think.

“When pulling weeds by hand, it’s essential to remove the entire plant, including the roots. Simply pulling off the top leaves the root system intact, which allows the weed to regrow,” Neimann says.

How to Fix

Neimann provides tips for proper manual weed removal in your lawn, garden, or sidewalk. When pulling weeds by hand, grasp the plant at the base where it meets the soil. This ensures that you remove the entire root system, preventing the weed from regrowing.

Using Pre-Emergent Herbicides on Active Weeds

While pre-emergent herbicides are key to stopping weeds before they sprout, you might be doing your lawn a disservice with these products if they’re used too late, specifically if you’re only treating weeds that are actively growing.

“Pre-emergent herbicides, like Preen, are designed to prevent weed seeds from sprouting,” Neimann tells us. “Applying them to already growing weeds will not be effective, as they do not target established plants.”

How to Fix

The key to fixing this mistake is simple: read the labels of the herbicides to choose the right one for your weed stage. Pre-emergent herbicides should be applied before weeds sprout. For actively growing weeds, use a post-emergent herbicide designed to kill established plants.

Treating Bare Soil

If you’re using a herbicide that contains the ingredient of glyphosate, according to Neimann, using this product on bare soil can be a mistake—these need to contact the leaves of weeds to work.

How to Fix

“Ensure that herbicides like glyphosate are sprayed directly on the leaves of the weeds,” Neimann says. “Apply on a hot, sunny day for optimal absorption and effectiveness, and avoid applying before rain, which can wash away the product.”

Overspraying

While we know you’re eager to remove the weeds as soon as possible, one common weed-killing mistake Neimann sees is gardeners getting a little too happy with their herbicide product.

Herbicide sprays can drift onto nearby plants, especially on windy days, causing unintended damage to neighboring plants.

How to Fix

Avoid spraying on windy days to prevent drift, use physical barriers like cardboard to shield nearby plants from overspray, and ensure the herbicide targets only the intended weeds, Neimann suggests.

Waiting Too Long to Remove

The longer you wait to remove weeds, the more you allow them to get out of control or go to seed—which means you’ll be seeing more weeds in the near future.

“Allowing weeds to mature and produce seeds can spread hundreds or thousands of weed seeds throughout your garden and nearby areas,” Neimann echoes. “This creates a larger, more persistent weed problem for the future.”

How to Fix

The good news is that this mistake comes with a super simple solution. Regularly monitor and remove weeds before they mature and set seed, according to Neimann. Establish a weeding schedule and apply a thick layer of mulch to suppress weed growth and reduce the need for frequent weeding.”

The best weeding schedule is treating your yard twice a year: once in the early spring and another in the fall to prevent weeds from sprouting in the first place.

Attacking the Wrong Weeds

One of the biggest weed-killing mistakes you might be making that isn’t resulting in a weed-free yard is that you’re not aware of the type of weeds you’re treating.

How to Fix

Part of this solution requires knowing what weeds you’re treating so you can choose the right herbicide. Once you know the weed you’re treating, you can go from there by selecting the proper treatment.

“Always read and follow label directions carefully,” Neimann advises. If you’re uncertain about a product, consult with experts at your local garden center.

Mistaking Weeds for Plants

Whether you have a new green thumb or are an experienced gardener, this mistake is one Neimann says he sees all the time.

“At some point in their gardening career, I think every gardener will make this mistake,” he says. “It’s easy to mistakenly pull out young or unfamiliar desirable plants thinking they are weeds.”

How to Fix

It’s important to know what’s in your garden before you decide to remove anything. Identify plants before weeding. If unsure, seek advice from knowledgeable sources, Neimann advises.

With that said, remember, your garden should reflect your preferences, so if a plant isn’t adding value or joy, it’s okay to remove it.