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Newly seeded lawn, are these weeds and what to do?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

New to gardening and grass. Hired someone to put down top soil and grass seed in April, though don't know what kind he used. It has been almost two months, and I believe these to be weeds and not what I paid for. I only recognize the yellow dandelions, which I pull with a spade knife whenever I see them.

However, what can I, or this landscaper I hired, do about clovers, white flower heads, and what looks like crabgrass? I mean, these are weeds right? Because if they are then I don't know why he hasn't done anything about them (and the bald patches) yet after two mowing sessions!

please advise

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Comments (7)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
This is question you need to discuss with the lawn guy. We can't really help. Yes, there are weeds and bald patches. Ask him what his plans are for them.
drmbear
7 years ago
The clover (the white flowers) can actually be a positive thing in a lawn for some people, as it helps set nitrogen in the soil, a fertilizer for the grass. I actually work to get a mix of clover and grass growing everywhere in my lawn.
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No herbicides - pre-m nor post-m - right now. Deal with the weeds. It was your implied contract when deciding to sow seeds. There will be plenty of time later. Plus, the longer the grass is allowed to grow and tiller, the less incidents of weeds you'll have. It's best to stay off the grass as much as possible, but right now is time to mow. Two inches in a great height for the first mowing to promote tillering. Cut off 1/3. Let it grow to 3 inches and remove 1/3. Allow it to grow to 4 inches, and cut it down to 3 inches. Maintain it there. If yours is a low growing variety, then maintain at 2-2.5 inches. When you're able to use herbicides, their labels will tell you when application is allowed after seeding. Normally, they say not to apply until after the grass has been mowed 3 or 4 times. Read the labels of whatever you are considering to know for certain. Besides that, there is no point in using pre-m to prevent crabgrass by that time. None will be germinating. If you have a Poa problem, pre-m can be applied in the fall for that. I know pre or post emergent chemicals will slow the grass growth. But it seems like standing still all over the place on the little Tall Fescue seedlings in order to pull weeds isn't good either. There is nothing you want to consider that might slow grass growth. I know it is difficult to have to look at the weeds, but the grass being allowed to grow healthy, tiller well, and maturing into its own ability to crowd weeds is much more important. Or, you will deal with a weeds problem forever. Patience is the key word when establishing a new lawn. Exercise patience and you won't regret it later.
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macranthos
7 years ago
Not to mention that bees love clover flowers. An all grass lawn is difficult to maintain without lots of chemicals. Nature abhors a vacuum and a monoculture.
alex xie
7 years ago
anyone know what's the weed on the upper right corner of the third photo? looks exactly like the weed in my garden
ahhhderrr
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks, I grew up in the city so grass and gardening is very new to me. I wanted some ID and more info so I am better prepared to discuss this with the lawn guy, so that way I know what I'm talking about and not getting ripped off. It didn't even occur to me until a few days ago that there are more kinds of weeds than the well known dandelion.

so the clovers are a good thing? Or it's just very difficult to control and I should accept a reasonable amount? I do see them scattered about in other people's lawns

Alex, I think the one you are asking about is crabgrass. This is growing in an area where actual grass didn't sprout and is mostly shaded.
kimmq
7 years ago
A "weed" is a plant you do not want growing where you do not want it growing. For some people that White Dutch Clover in a lawn could be a "weed" while others will think of it as a boon because it can supply Nitrogen.

Crab grass is an annual that produces a lot of seed that will germinate and grow when the soil temperatures reach to low to mid 60's. Aside from spraying poisons around control of crab grass can be achieved by mowing as high as possible and maintaining a good healthy stand of the wanted type of grass. Other types of unwanted plant growth can be controlled, some, in the same way.

A good reliable soil test is a start toward a good healthy lawn.

kimmq is kimmsr
emerogork
7 years ago
I would like to add that weeds usually have multi-annular seeds. Some sprout this year, others sprout in subsequent years. Early next spring, and for a few following, you might consider spreading a pre-emergent weed stopper. Both natural and chemical are available.

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