When you’re trudging through the seemingly endless dull, grey, winter days in the middle of February it may seem hard to imagine that springs just around the corner, but it is.
That means blue skies and the first warm rays of the sun on your skin.
It also means it won’t be long until it’s time to dust off the lawnmower and put it to work again, but who really minds that if it means a nice green lawn to spend those beautiful summer days enjoying?
The problem with warm summer days and the growing season is that it also brings with it the dreaded dandelion.
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There’s nothing more frustrating than those rampant little yellow weeds sprouting up everywhere on your nicely manicured lawn.
With many jurisdictions banning a growing number of herbicides due to the harm they can cause the environment, it’s become more difficult than ever to take care of that dandelion problem.
It’s not a total lost cause though. There are several natural remedies for dealing with dandelions and you’ll find them all explained in the article below.
There are also some safe herbicides that are still considered okay to use in many countries.
Fortunately, thanks to the power of the online world you don’t have to stare at those dandelions with frustration as your father did 25 years ago.
You have access to everything you need to get rid of those dandelions and keep them away for the entire growing season.
Natural Methods
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn Gluten Meal(CGM) is a great way to make sure you don’t have to deal with dandelions in the first place.
It’s what you might call a pre-emptive attack. It’s referred to as a pre-emergent herbicide.
All that means is that it prevents the dandelion seeds from taking root in your lawn in the first place.
It’s a natural product that doesn’t hurt the environment, the kids, or the dog.
The drawback of CGM is that it doesn’t do any good if the dandelions are already flowering on your lawn.
That’s why it’s best to spread some around your lawn just before the growing cycle begins.
If you can time it just right, you won’t have to worry about dandelions this spring.
CGM is only effective for about 5 or 6 weeks though, so you will have to reapply it multiple times throughout the growing season.
That will typically mean at least 3 applications per year.
If you have the discipline to follow through, you should have one of the nicest lawns on the block – completely free of dandelions for the season.
Mow the Suckers
One of the easiest and most effective dandelion killers is the lawn mower sitting in your garage.
Cutting your lawn on a regular basis is a very easy way to eliminate the dandelion problem.
You have to make sure to cut the lawn while the dandelions are still in their yellow flowering stage though.
If you leave them long enough to transform into their puffball stage, all you’ll be doing when you cut the lawn is to help spread the seeds around.
It’s also important to make sure that you don’t cut the grass shorter than 2 to 2 ½ inches.
Dandelions need lots of sun to grow and keeping your lawn healthy and long enough will effectively stunt their growth by blocking their access to the sun.
This method comes down to timing and it’s easy to get it wrong if you just don’t feel like cutting the grass on a given day.
It takes commitment to a regular cutting schedule.
Block Out the Sun
Did we mention how much dandelions love the sun? Just in case, let’s say it again – dandelions love the sun!
Anything that blocks their access to its life-giving rays is a great way to keep them off your lawn.
One way to do this is to block their access to the sun by smothering them with a piece of cardboard.
Small dark bags that block the sun can also be effective.
The problem with this method is that it’s extremely time consuming.
If you have a fair number of dandelions on your lawn, it can easily take a couple of hours to cover all of them.
Also, when you smother the dandelions, you may also accidently cover small patches of your grass.
If you’re going to try this method, you have to be extremely careful.
Dandelion Removal Tools
In our experience, the most effective way to remove dandelions is to pluck them out one by one.
It’s the only way to be sure they’re actually removed.
The problem with this method is that it can be very difficult to remove the dandelion roots and all.
These pesky little weeds can be rooted in the soil as deep as 10 inches and if you don’t get all of the root they’ll quickly grow back.
The best way to be sure you’re getting them out down to the root is to use a tool designed for the purpose.
There are many different varieties available that you can purchase online or at your local hardware store.
You have a choice between the short hand held variety and the stand-up dandelion removers that will save a lot of back ache.
They may cost a little more, but they’re well worth the investment.
Plucking them by the Heads
If you can’t be bothered going to the effort of digging down to the roots to remove dandelions permanently from your lawn you can simply focus on the head.
If you only have a few dandelions to deal with this may be all that’s required.
You will have to do this once or twice a week though as they will grow back.
You also have to make sure you remove the heads before they get to the puffball stage.
Once they’ve had a chance to transform to this stage, they can quickly spread around your lawn.
This can lead to dozens, or even hundreds of dandelions depending on the size of your lawn.
At that stage, simply plucking of the heads will probably be too much work to be practical.
Vinegar
Some simple household items can also be quite helpful in getting rid of dandelions.
Vinegar is a great way to kill dandelions.
The regular white vinegar you keep in the cupboard for your fish and chips will do the job nicely.
You can simply add some vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the weeds directly.
Alternatively, you can spray the dandelion holes after you’ve pulled them out by their roots.
The latter method may be a little more time consuming, but it is the best way to keep them off your lawn for sure.
Salt
Too much salt may not be good for your heart health, but it’s a good way to get rid of dandelions on your lawn.
This every day item is highly effective at killing these annoying weeds.
All you have to do is pour a little salt on the dandelion head and wait a day or two for it to do its job.
The dandelion will wilt and die almost every time.
The problem is, salt will also harm any neighbouring plants and your grass.
You have to be very careful when applying it.
Boiling Water
Most of us were told by mom and dad to stay away from boiling water when we were kids.
That was sound advice if you want to avoid injury.
It turns out boiling water can be just as harmful to the health of the dandelions messing up your lawn.
If you have the patience to pour boiling water over each dandelion a few times a day they will wilt and die within two to three days.
The problem with this method is that it can be extremely time consuming – especially if you’re relying on a boiled kettle to bring the water up to the desired temperature to be effective.
Weed Burner
One method for killing dandelions you don’t often see in many backyards is something called a weed burner.
These are essentially small blowtorches designed to burn the dandelions and destroy them with fire.
They will certainly kill dandelions, but they can be dangerous to operate and if you’re not careful, they can damage the surrounding grass as well.
Unless you have some experience using welding tools, it may be best to avoid using a weed burner.
Mulch and Grass Seed
There is no better way to avoid dandelions in the first place than a healthy lawn.
If you have patches where the grass is not as thick as you would like it, apply some grass seed.
It’s also a good idea to use mulch to improve the health of your lawn.
A nice thick lawn will choke out the dandelions and healthy soil is not ideal for dandelions.
These prolific weeds do better in acidic soils.
A nutrient rich soil base will deprive the dandelions of the environment in which they thrive.
If you’re an avid gardener and you’re willing to put in the effort, a healthy lawn will help to keep the dandelions from growing.
Family Time
Perhaps one of the most unorthodox methods for dandelion control is putting the family to work.
It’s a great way for husband and wife to spend a day together while enjoying the great outdoors, but it can also be a great chore for the kids.
Parents may want to negotiate a per dandelion fee they’re willing to pay the kids.
They get to make a little extra money and mom and dad get a dandelion free lawn.
It’s a win-win situation for everyone!
Chickens and Rabbits
There is one other method that may be even more unorthodox than putting the kids to work removing dandelions from the lawn.
If you have a large fenced in yard, you may want to consider adopting some chickens or rabbits.
Both of these animals love to feed on dandelions!
With the chickens, you’ll get the added benefit of some eggs for the breakfast table.
Best Dandelion Killers – The Heavy Hitters
Many of the chemicals that have been used in herbicides in the past have been banned in recent years.
That hasn’t stopped the industry’s biggest names from making adjustments and producing new products that comply with the stricter guidelines.
There are many different environmentally friendly herbicides to choose from that are designed to kill dandelions.
In the interest of making this guide as complete as possible, we decided to review five of the best choices on the market today.
All of the products we include in this guide are good dandelion killers and in most cases, the choice comes down to brand loyalty and price.
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass & Weed Killer
There are numerous weed killers on the market, but few of them are as effective as Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass & Weed Killer.
This chemical will kill pretty much any weed it comes in contact with, including dandelions.
They key to its success is a high concentrate of a chemical called Glyphosate.
This helps to prevent weeds from making proteins that are essential in their growth process.
It’s so effective that you’ll begin to notice the dandelions and other weeds begin to wilt and die within the first two days.
After the first week, almost all of the weeds will be removed from your lawn.
Because this product is so powerful, you do need to be careful how you apply it.
It’s important to concentrate your spray on the weed in question.
You don’t want to accidentally spray your flowerbeds or vegetable garden.
This product doesn’t discriminate. It will kill just about every plant-based life form it comes in contact with.
You can purchase Compare-N-Save Concentrate for just a little over $20 per gallon.
That makes it an effective and affordable option for killing all the weeds on your lawn, including dandelions.
- Affordable weed killing solution
- Kills all weeds quickly
- Includes high concentrate of Glyphosate, an effective weed killing agent
- High potency can kill flowers and vegetables
- May be harmful to pets and small children
You might not be familiar with Glyphosate, but once you’ve had a chance to try this Compare-N-Save product you’ll remember the name.
This is a highly effective dandelion killer at a competitive price.
Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Super Concentrate
Any weed killer product with concentrate in its name is typically a potent weed killing option and Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate is no exception.
This is a powerful dandelion killing machine.
It’s packaged in a convenient spray bottle that makes it easy to apply the chemical with a high degree of accuracy.
That’s a good thing as this weed killer will kill just about any vegetation it comes in contact with including flowers and vegetables.
This herbicide contains two main weed killing ingredients – Glyphosate and Diquat.
It’s an effective combination that’s capable of killing dandelions and other weeds in a matter of hours.
It begins to kill weeds on contact and it attacks their roots to ensure they don’t come back.
At the end of the first week, you’ll have a lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
One of the best features about this product is that it isn’t easily washed away by rain.
It’s still a good idea to apply it when their isn’t a great deal of rain in the forecast, but if an unexpected shower come along it won’t be a major issue.
On the flip side, that also means this stuff is hard to wash off so you have to be extra careful to keep it away from anything you don’t want to kill.
This is a little more expensive than other products at well over $70 per ½ gallon.
- Highly effective weed killer
- Begins working within hours
- Almost completely waterproof
- Hard to wash off
- Will kill flowers and vegetables that are exposed to it
- Expensive
Roundup is one of the best-known brands when it comes to killing weeds for good reason.
If the dandelions are taking over your lawn this summer, this may be just the solution you’ve been looking for.
It’s fast acting and waterproof.
Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer
For the organized gardener Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grass Weed Preventer is a great choice.
This product comes in a granulated form that you apply evenly over you lawn using a spreader purchased either online or at the local hardware store.
This chemical is designed to eliminate weeds before they take hold.
It’s a pre-emergent product that prevents weeds from growing in the first place.
Best of all it won’t hurt your lawn and it won’t harm the flowers in your garden.
For anyone that loves a beautiful green lawn, this product may be the answer you’ve been looking for.
There is one major caution when using this product. It’s highly effective at preventing new growth so you won’t be able to plant anything new for up to four months after you use it.
This is a product that takes some careful planning to be effective, but if used properly it’s a very good product for keeping all weeds off your lawn including dandelions.
- Easy to apply evenly using a spreader
- Stops weeds from growing from the start
- Prevents all seed growth for a period of four months
- Application spreader must be purchased separately
We’ve all been told about the importance of prevention and that’s what this Scotts product is designed for.
It’s a pre-emptive weed killer that gets the job done.
Keep in mind though, if you already have dandelions you’ll have to choose a different option.
Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer
Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer is a great economical choice for keeping the dandelions off your lawn.
You can expect to pay about $50 for a 2-gallon jug and if used carefully you’ll get a lot use from one container.
This is a fast acting weed killer. You’ll notice visible results within 1 hour and in a matter of days, most of the weeds you’re targeting will be in full retreat.
The best part is, it has a long acting formula that will keep the weeds and dandelions clear from your lawn for up to 1 year after a single application.
You will need a sprinkler can or something similar to apply the herbicide, as that isn’t included with the jug.
Alternatively, you can purchase a version with a ready to use sprinkler cap or there is another option that includes a comfort wand.
The biggest drawback to using this product is that it will kill pretty much all plant life it comes in contact with.
Once it’s been applied to an area you will have difficulty getting anything to grow there for the one year period specified above.
- Fast acting
- Weeds eliminated for up to 1 year
- Inexpensive
- Normal plants and flowers will not grow in an area that’s sprayed
- 2 gallon jug does not come with application tool
Ortho GroundClear may be the best bang for your buck when it comes to weed killers. A 2-gallon jug for around $50 is a great deal.
It doesn’t hurt that the product also happens to be fast acting and long lasting.
All-in-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer
Bayer Advanced All-in-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer Concentrate is a popular choice for many homeowners dealing with a dandelion problem or crabgrass.
This is a concentrated solution so it may be best to dilute it in water before application.
If you don’t dilute it first you can damage your grass or other plant life you don’t want harmed.
The 32 ounce bottle retails for around $10 and it covers an area of up to 5000 square feet, making it one of the most economical options on the market.
It also has a spray nozzle attached to the bottle for easy use.
One or two applications per season is usually enough to keep your yard free and clear of weeds.
Another great feature of this product is that it’s waterproof.
As long as you’ve sprayed the chemical, at least 1 hour before any rain it won’t wash away.
It is still best to apply it in sunny dry conditions though to be safe.
- 32 ounce bottle retails for around $10
- 1 bottle covers up to 5000 square feet
- Waterproof within 1 hour
- Spray nozzle attached
- Can wash off if used less than 1 hour before rain
- Has to be diluted before use
- Requires more than 1 application per year
It’s amazing that a 32 ounce jug of weed killer can cover 5000 square feet, but that’s exactly what Bayer Advanced All-in-One is designed to do.
At less than $10 per bottle it’s a great deal and by most accounts it does a good job of killing weeds as well.
Goodbye to Dandelions
There are many different options for getting rid of dandelions from your yard and we’ve covered a variety of them in this article.
There are some great natural and homemade options, but herbicides and chemicals remain the most effective way to kill dandelions and other weeds.
For pure weed killing power, we believe the Compare-N-Save product reviewed above is the best choice, but all of the weed killers we’ve covered in this article do a great job.
If you follow the guidelines in this article, you should have one of the nicest lawns on your block this summer.
