Choosing a Grass-Friendly Weed Killer for Your Lawn

Every home deserves a beautiful yard, but it’s important to be sure you’re taking the right steps to keep it healthy. Weeds are always enemy #1 in your yard, so finding an herbicide that doesn’t harm the grass is the best way to protect your landscape. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to make the right choice for your luscious lawn. We’ve done the hard work for you by providing some handy information on how various weed killers work.

Triclopyr

This weed killer is an herbicide that targets broadleaf perennials and woody weeds. It won’t harm your grass, but it’s still important to follow the application instructions. Triclopyr disrupts the target plant’s
normal growth process by simulating its natural hormones. This causes rapid growth, which the plant ultimately cannot sustain, so the weeds will perish within a few weeks of application.

MCPA

This is a post-emergent phenoxy herbicide that works on perennial and annual weeds like dock, thistle, potatoes, and peas. MCPA contains an herbicide that affects the plant’s cell division and protein synthesis. Studies show that most grasses are not succeptible to this process, making it safe for your lawn. MCPA is also compatible with other herbicides including dicamba and 2, 4-D.

Carfentrazon-ethyl

This is a post-emergence contact herbicide that is ideal for controlling broadleaf weeds. It works as a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, disrupting the target plant’s cell membranes. It can also cause necrosis of the leaf tissue. Considered a phenyl triazolinone derivative, carfentrazon-ethyl is safe for a variety of grasses.

Dicamba

Dicamba is a selective herbicide used for controlling woody plants and broadleaf weeds. It is effective as a pre- and post-emergence herbicide, as it is absorbed by both the roots and foliage. Similar to Triclopyr
and 2, 4-D, it works by mimicking the target plant’s natural hormones. This product is used widely in many golf courses and residential lawns.

2, 4-D

2, 4-D (2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) is a phenoxy herbicide that has been used for post-emergence applications since 1945. It kills broadleaf weeds without affecting the grasses, and works best if applied when the weeds are still young.

Weeds can damage your ground cover, but there’s no need to use a weed killer that causes unwanted harm. For a healthy green lawn, be sure you choose an herbicide that’s safe for your grass.