What's the best way to prevent weeds from taking over your lawn? Use good lawn care practices that keep the turf dense so weeds can't get a toehold rather than relying on herbicides that can potentially be carried in runoff to pollute the watershed. Mow high to keep grass strong and shade out weed seedlings; mow frequently enough that you are cutting off no more than one-third of the grass height at each mowing; leave the clippings on the lawn to recycle their nutrients; core aerate to reduce soil compaction in areas that get lots of foot traffic; and fertilize at the recommended time and rate for the type of grass you are growing. If you feel you must use an herbicide, follow the label directions closely to minimize problems with runoff.
