Broadleaf Weed Control for Turf

Broadleaf weeds include many annual and perennial plants with net-veined leaves, from dandelion and clover to spurge and plantain. Correct identification is the first step because a product may control some species but not others.

How to Identify Broadleaf Weeds

Broadleaf weeds generally have wider leaves and branching veins rather than the narrow parallel-veined blades of grasses. Growth habit, leaf arrangement, flowers, and roots separate look-alike species.

Why It Appears in Turf

Bare soil, compaction, poor fertility, excess moisture, drought stress, shade, and low mowing each favor different weeds. A recurring species often points to a correctable site condition.

Make the Site Less Favorable

• Maintain the recommended mowing height and avoid scalping.
• Correct irrigation, drainage, compaction, fertility, or shade problems that thin desirable turf.
• Repair bare areas and use adapted turf cultivars to close openings where seedlings establish.

Choosing a Turf Herbicide

Use the products below as a starting point, then match the herbicide to the desirable turf species and the weed's growth stage. Preemergence products must be applied and activated before germination; postemergence products work best on small, actively growing weeds. Repeat applications may be needed where the label allows.

Label note: Confirm the desirable turf species, use site, target weed, application timing, rate, adjuvant directions, and reseeding restrictions on the current label before use.