If you’re anything like me, you go into battle mode the moment you spot white flowers popping up around the yard. While some might think daisies are pretty flowers, I think they’re a problem that needs to be fixed right away. The last thing you want is for these stubborn weeds to take over your lawn. So, let’s take a look at how to remove daisies from the lawn quickly and keep them out for good.
How Do You Get Rid of Daisies in a Lawn? (The Short Answer)
Daisies are annual broadleaf plants that need targeted herbicides for effective quick removal. Hand removal methods are also an effective way of getting rid of clusters of daisies around the lawn and the yard. To prevent a daisy plant from regrowing, the tap-root system must be removed along with the plant.
The Quickest Way to Remove Daisies from a Lawn
Daisies may have pretty little flowers, but they sure are tough plants! If you ignore these guys and let them get out of hand, you’ll have white flowers popping up all over the yard. So let’s find out how to get rid of daisies in the lawn ASAP.
Targeted Herbicide
If you use a targeted herbicide to kill the daisies on your lawn, you should notice a difference within a couple of days, if not hours. But before you run to the store, the first thing you want to keep in mind is that daisies are broadleaf weeds. This information helps when selecting what herbicide to get.
Targeted herbicides are not universal. If they were, they would kill all plants, including your grass. So, a product that will kill crabgrass won’t get rid of your daisies. This is because crabgrass is a grassy weed, and daisies are a broadleaf weed.
So, when you head down to the store, you should look for a herbicide that targets broadleaf weeds. To take it one step further, you need to make sure it specifically targets daisies. There is usually a list of the targeted plants on the label.
Additionally, you also want to factor in your specific grass type and ensure the herbicide you use will work with your lawn. The last thing you want to do is kill your grass along with the daisies.
Now, let’s look at how to get rid of daisies in your lawn using SA-50 Lawn Weed Killer as an example. This targeted broadleaf weed killer works with different varieties of grass, but the application method is different for each variety.
So, read the label fully to make sure you use the correct mix ratio for your lawn. Once you have it set up, spray the herbicide directly over the daisies. Avoid spraying it on any other plants or grass that you don’t want to be affected.
I also recommend not spraying on a windy day so that the herbicide doesn’t travel across the lawn, or on a rainy day where the herbicide can get washed down.
How to Get Rid of Daisies Naturally (5 Ideas)
If you have a dog with sensitive allergies or you don’t like using herbicides for environmental reasons, you might be wondering what will kill daisies in grass without using chemicals. So, let’s take a look at how to get rid of daisies naturally.
Daisy Grubber
Now, there is a tool called a daisy grubber which is specifically designed to dig out daisies. It’s basically a small hand-held tool with 2 angled prongs. This tool is designed to reach the short root system of the daisy and pull it out in one piece.
A basic one at your local lawn shop should run you less than $10. All you need to do is dig your daisy grubber into the ground at an angle under the plant and level it upwards. Your aim is to remove the whole plant along with the root system.
Hand Trowel
If you don’t want to add another tool to your shed, then you can just use a small hand trowel. The digging-out method is similar to the daisy grubber, but you might need to remove more soil to reach the whole root system.
Dig the hand tool diagonally into the ground directly underneath the plant and level it upwards to dig out the roots. Remember, the key to getting rid of daisies for good is to get the whole tap root out of the ground, so make sure you don’t leave any bits behind.
Knife
Now, you don’t need to use any gardening tools to remove daisies from your lawn. Using a regular knife will work just fine. It might even be the ideal tool for tight spots. Sure, it probably takes a little more elbow grease than the other two tools I mentioned, but with a little patience, you’ll get the job done.
Just dig the knife into the ground at an angle under the daisy plant with one hand, and with the other, grab the top of the plant and pull it while angling the knife up towards the surface. That should get the whole plant out, including the roots.
Weed Whacker & Lawn Mower
You might want to turn to your trusty weed whacker or mower if the daisies have taken over a large area of the yard. If the daisies are clumped together, then it might be hard to pull them out by the root. So, cut back the daisies with your weed whacker or lawn mower once a week to weaken the plant.
After it’s been cut back a few times, the plant will be weak enough, and you’ll be able to dig out the root system more easily. This method works well when you’re mowing every week, but when you slow down your mowing schedule to every couple of weeks or not at all, then daisies can take hold again. So, mowing isn’t a great solution for the whole year.
Vinegar Spray
Now, if you really want to know what kills daisies in a lawn the natural way, you can consider a vinegar spray. The acetic acid in the vinegar will dry out the weeds. It will take a few applications, but eventually, the daisies should die out and stop propagating.
To make a DIY vinegar mix, combine white vinegar in a spray bottle with 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Just spray the mixture over the daisies and repeat the application for the next day or two. For extra effect, you can spray the vinegar while the sun is out to speed up its drying power. Just be careful, as vinegar spray will also kill your lawn.
5 Things to Do to Keep Daisies at Bay Once You Get Rid of Them
Now that you’ve won the battle over daisies, let’s make sure they don’t come back. As you probably already learned the hard way, daisies are quick to grow and spread, so staying on top is the best way to prevent them. Here are 5 tips to stop daisies from coming back.
Regular Mowing
When you keep a consistent mowing schedule, it helps not only the lawn but also stops weed growth. Your lawn will be healthier and thicker when mowed, leaving little room for daisies to grow. Also, the dense grass will block out the sunlight that daisy seeds need to grow.
Collect Clippings
The last thing you want to do is spread daisy seeds all over your yard after you’ve mowed. So attach a bagger to your mower and throw away the clippings. This will really help prevent daisies from growing back.
Soil Health
Daisies like compacted soil, and your grass doesn’t. So one way to go about this is to aerate your lawn about once a year. If aeration isn’t an option, then mix up your mowing pattern by cross-cutting your lawn. One week mow up and down, the next side to side. Also, feed your lawn and keep an eye on the thatch.
Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Once you’ve gotten rid of daisies, I suggest you use a pre-emergent targeted herbicide in the area during the germinating season. This will stop the plant from germinating and keep daisies from popping up in your yard.
Post-Emergent Herbicides
It’s always good to have post-emergent targeted herbicides around. That way, you can do a quick spot treatment if you see a stubborn daisy poking through the lawn and stop it before it gets out of hand.
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