Broadleaf Weed Control in Howard County, Maryland

Dandelion seeds are incredibly light and travel easily on wind currents, so every Howard County lawn receives constant seed pressure regardless of how your own property is maintained. The difference between weed-free lawns and dandelion-covered ones isn't seed availability—it's whether the lawn receives regular broadleaf herbicide applications. Your neighbor likely has professional weed control or applies herbicides consistently. Dense, healthy grass also naturally resists weed establishment better than thin, stressed turf. Our comprehensive lawn care programs include both weed control and fertilization to create thick turf that naturally crowds out weeds.

Most established weed infestations require 2-3 applications per year for complete control—typically spring and fall treatments. Severely weedy lawns might need spot treatments mid-season as well. The first year of treatment dramatically reduces weed populations but rarely eliminates every weed due to constant seed pressure from surrounding properties. Year two typically achieves near-complete control, with only occasional spot weeds requiring touch-ups. Ongoing maintenance treatments (usually 1-2 per year) keep lawns weed-free long-term. It's unrealistic to expect one application to permanently eliminate all weeds—effective weed control is an ongoing program, not a one-time fix.

Professional broadleaf herbicides used by licensed applicators are safe when applied correctly and allowed to dry completely. We recommend keeping children and pets off treated areas until the application has dried (typically 2-4 hours). Once dry, the herbicides bond to leaf surfaces and pose minimal risk. The selective herbicides we use target only broadleaf plants and don't affect grass, people, or pets. Consumer products available at stores contain the same active ingredients—professional application is actually safer because we use calibrated equipment for precise application rates and have training in proper handling. Many Howard County families with children and pets choose professional weed control specifically because it's safer and more effective than DIY approaches.

Fall (September-October) is actually the most effective time for broadleaf weed control, though spring (April-May) is also excellent. Fall applications work better because perennial weeds like dandelions are actively transporting nutrients to their root systems for winter storage. Herbicides applied in fall are carried deep into roots, killing weeds more completely than spring applications that only affect top growth. Spring treatments are still important because they catch weeds actively growing after winter and prevent flowering and seed production. Ideal control comes from treating both spring and fall. Avoid treating during summer heat stress or when temperatures exceed 85°F, as herbicides become less effective and can damage grass.

Hand-pulling works for a few isolated weeds but is impractical for lawns with significant weed populations. Dandelions have taproots 6-10 inches deep that rarely pull completely—any root fragment left behind regrows. Clover spreads through underground stems that break when pulled, creating multiple new plants. Plantain develops extensive fibrous root systems impossible to remove completely. Even if you successfully pull every visible weed, you're constantly fighting new weeds germinating from the millions of seeds in your soil and blowing in from neighbors' yards. Professional herbicide applications kill existing weeds completely (roots and all) and are far more time-efficient than endless hand-pulling. Most Ellicott City homeowners who try hand-pulling eventually switch to professional treatment when they realize they're fighting a losing battle.

Clover is particularly challenging because it fixes its own nitrogen from the air and thrives in low-nitrogen lawns. If your lawn is under-fertilized, clover has a competitive advantage over grass. Additionally, clover spreads through creeping stems that can survive herbicide applications if they're not actively growing during treatment. The most effective clover control combines herbicide applications with improved lawn fertilization that gives grass competitive advantage over clover. Treating clover in both spring and fall catches it during different growth phases for better control. Our complete programs combining weed control with fertilization typically eliminate clover within one season by making conditions unfavorable for clover establishment.