Unwanted weeds like dandelion, crabgrass, and wild onion often find their way into even the most cared-for lawns. Once they take root, these aggressive plants can quickly spread, stealing nutrients, sunlight, and water from your grass. Fortunately, with a little know-how and consistent care, you can stop common weeds from taking over your yard.
In this guide, we’ll help you identify the most common weeds in Georgia lawns and offer simple, effective ways to get them under control—so your lawn stays healthy and beautiful all year long.
Dandelion
The Problem:
- Most of us learned to recognize these ubiquitous weeds with their zig-zag leaves during childhood, when we made wishes before blowing the fluffy seed balls off the stems. Those wind-blown seeds, of course, are how the weeds spread, so it’s important to eradicate the plants from our lawns before the yellow flowers close up and go to seed.
The Solution:
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in late winter before soil temps hit 55°F.
- Pull by hand in early spring when the ground is moist—make sure to remove the entire taproot.
- Use a broadleaf herbicide for spot treatment if pulling isn’t practical. Avoid spraying near ornamental plants.
Plantain
The Problem:
- This low-growing weed has wide, egg-shaped leaves and thrives in compacted, acidic soil. It often shows up in bare patches where grass struggles to grow.
The Solution:
- Remove existing plants by hand or with a weed puller after a rain when the soil is wet. Plantain can be stubborn and difficult to pull, but unlike dandelions, it won’t regenerate from leftover roots.
- Aerate compacted areas and add compost to encourage grass growth.
- Patch bare spots with fresh sod to prevent future invasions.
- Test your soil to address any underlying pH or compaction issues.
Crabgrass
The Problem:
- Crabgrass is one of the most persistent grassy weeds in Georgia, with a single plant producing up to 150,000 seeds. Those seeds can lie dormant in your lawn’s soil for years.
The Solution:
- Pre-emergent herbicide applied in late winter—every winter—is the best defense to stop the prolific seeds from germinating.
- Mow regularly to reduce seed production.
- Water and fertilize properly to keep your sod thick and healthy, which helps prevent future crabgrass growth.
Wild Onion & Garlic
The Problem:
These lookalike weeds send up tall, thin stalks that stand out in dormant lawns. They’re difficult to treat with herbicide because their waxy leaves resist absorption.
The Solution:
- Mow frequently to prevent flowering and seed production.
- Pull by hand after rain, grasping near the soil line to remove the entire bulb.
- Use a spade to dig out stubborn plants if the bulbs break off during pulling.
Best Weapon Against Weeds: A Healthy Lawn
While targeted treatments help, the best long-term defense against weeds is a thick, vigorous lawn. Here’s how to give your grass the upper hand:
- Choose the right sod for your area. Warm-season varieties like TifTuf Bermuda, and Zeon Zoysia thrive in most Georgia lawns, while cool-season options like Rebel Supreme Fescue and our Bluegrass Blends are better suited for shady or cooler areas.
- Test your soil and follow recommendations for lime or nutrients.
- Mow at the proper height for your sod variety.
- Water deeply and less frequently to encourage strong roots.
- Fertilize as recommended based on the season and sod type.
- Don’t Forget Pre-Emergent Herbicide. Apply in both early spring and fall to prevent a wide range of annual weeds from germinating.
Need Help Fighting Lawn Weeds?
The best way to fight weeds is to start with healthy, high-quality sod that’s well-suited to your yard’s conditions. At NG Turf, our certified sod varieties and expert advice can help you grow a thick, resilient lawn that naturally keeps weeds at bay.
📞 Call us at 770.832.8608
📧 Email info@NGTurf.com
Let’s build a lawn that works for you—not against you.
