- 1). Select the best grass variety for local climate and soil conditions. Native grass seed such as Buffalo and blue grama grass need less water than St. Augustine, Bermuda or fescue. Bermuda or Bahia grass planted in shaded areas results in thin, weak grass blades and susceptibility to weed growth.
- 2). Set the mower blades at the highest notch. Grass is weakened and susceptible to weed infestation when it is cut to lower than one-third of the blade. Do not cut with unsharpened mower blades.
- 3). Irrigate the lawn in the morning to prevent fungal diseases from developing. A disease-free lawn is less susceptible to weed growth. Water weekly and deeply, rather than using shallow frequent irrigation.
- 4). Fertilize in late fall with mature compost. Spring fertilizing encourages excessive weed growth. Grass plants are expanding their root systems in the fall and respond well to feeding then. Mature compost contains the 17 nutrients essential to healthy grass growth. Microorganisms in mature compost improve soil biology.
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