It can be a unique challenge to keepyour lawn healthyand keep weeds at bay.

Learn about ten effective ways tokill lawn weedswithout harming your grass.

An example is common chickweedsuch weedsare easy to control if you hand-pull them before they bear flowers.

Japanese knotweed shoots popping up in a lawn.

David Beaulieu

After they do, they produce seeds that can lead to a new generation of weeds.

To facilitate hand-pulling, water the ground first to loosen the soil.

To remove dandelions successfully, you must extract the taproot.

person pulling out weeds by hand

The Spruce / K. Dave

you’re able to do so by digging it out with a trowel.

Better yet, use a specialized tool called a “dandelion puller.”

Most lawn grasses are mat-forming plants, meaning they won’t leave any room for weeds.

Dandelion puller tool taking out dandelion from the ground

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

But, thatch robs your lawn of vigor, giving weeds a foothold.

Remove thatch regularly to stay ahead in the game.

Compacted soil can have a similarly negative impact on lawn health.

Raking a lawn

The Spruce / David Karoki

To address this problem,aerate your soil.

Anaerating machineis the best tool for the task.

Homeowners will typically want to rent one rather than owning one.

Professional Lawn Aeration

MAsummerbreak / Getty Images

These tasks includefertilizing,watering, andoverseeding.

Some weeds can thrive in poor, dry soil where a lawn grass would perish.

Under-fertilizing or under-watering your grass therefore gives weeds an opportunity they can exploit.

Sprinkler spraying water on lawn.

Artur Nichiporenko / Getty Images

But you have tofind the right weed killerfor your situation.

There’s also a distinction between annual and perennial weeds; the former are often treated with pre-emergent herbicides.

Apply Non-Selective Herbicides Very Carefully

Some weeds are especially robust and extremely difficult to control.

Wet grass blades in front of sit-down lawn mower

The Spruce / Steven Merkel

They derive their tenacity from their underground plant parts.

Weeds that spread via rhizomes, in particular, can be tough to eradicate.

For example,Japanese knotweedin the lawn spells big trouble.

Low angle of man mowing the lawn

StockWithMe / Shutterstock

Remove weeds manually whenever you see them if you have the time.

If not, buy an herbicide meant to be used on your throw in of grass.

A thick, well-maintained lawn comes closest to a permanent solution to weeds.

spraying vinegar on weeds

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Managing weeds in lawns.

Crabgrass stalk with seeds on ends closeup

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault