The short answer: The best way to control weeds in your Aurora lawn is to prevent them before they start. A thick, healthy lawn naturally crowds out weeds. When weeds do appear, treating them at the right time with the right product makes all the difference.
Pre emergent herbicides applied in early spring stop most weeds before you ever see them. Post emergent treatments handle weeds that break through or were already established.
Quick overview:
For Crabgrass and Annual Weeds: Apply pre emergent in early April before soil reaches 55 degrees
For Dandelions and Broadleaf Weeds: Spray post emergent in fall when weeds are actively growing
For Creeping Weeds Like Clover: Improve lawn thickness through proper fertilization and overseeding
Keep reading to learn the exact timing and methods that work best for Aurora’s specific weed problems.
The Complete Weed Control Approach: Our 4 Step Weed Free Program
Our Weed Free Program gives Aurora homeowners a proven system that prevents and eliminates weeds through the entire growing season. This program combines properly timed pre emergent applications, targeted post emergent treatments, lawn health improvements, and ongoing monitoring.
What makes this approach effective is that it addresses both sides of the weed problem. We stop new weeds from germinating while also treating existing weeds and building lawn health so grass can outcompete future invaders.
Whether you tackle weed control yourself or hire professionals, understanding how weeds work helps you spend less money and get better results.
Why Weed Control Matters More Than Most Aurora Homeowners Realize
Weeds are not just ugly. They steal water, nutrients, and sunlight from your grass. A few dandelions in spring can turn into hundreds by fall because each flower head produces up to 200 seeds that blow across your entire lawn.
Here’s what happens when weed control goes wrong. Waiting too long to treat means weeds have already spread their seeds for next year. Using the wrong product wastes money and can damage your grass. Treating at the wrong time means the herbicide won’t work effectively. Ignoring thin spots in your lawn gives weeds the perfect place to establish.
The key principle Aurora homeowners need to understand is this: weed control is about timing. The same herbicide that works perfectly in April may do nothing in June. The same dandelion treatment that kills weeds in October barely affects them in July.
Aurora’s climate creates specific weed challenges. Our warm days and cool nights in spring trigger aggressive crabgrass germination. Our dry summers stress grass and give drought tolerant weeds like spurge an advantage. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective control.
Pre Emergent Weed Control Guide for Aurora Lawns
Pre emergent herbicides create a barrier in the soil that stops weed seeds from sprouting. This is the most effective and least expensive form of weed control because you prevent problems instead of chasing them.
Step 1: Time Your Application Correctly (Early to Mid April)
Apply pre emergent when soil temperature reaches 50 to 55 degrees for several days in a row. In Aurora, this typically happens in early to mid April. You can check soil temperature with an inexpensive probe thermometer or monitor local reports.
Apply before you see any crabgrass or other annual weeds. Once you see them, pre emergent won’t help with those plants.
This timing matters because pre emergent must be in place before seeds germinate. Crabgrass seeds start sprouting when soil stays above 55 degrees. Missing this window by even a week can mean crabgrass problems all summer.
Step 2: Choose the Right Product
Look for products containing prodiamine, pendimethalin, or dithiopyr as active ingredients. These control crabgrass plus dozens of other annual weeds common in Aurora.
Granular products are easier for most homeowners to apply evenly. Liquid products work faster but require a sprayer and more careful application.
Read the label for your specific grass type. Some pre emergents can damage certain grasses, especially if your lawn was recently seeded or overseeded.
Step 3: Apply Evenly and Water In
Use a broadcast spreader set to the rate specified on the product label. Walk at a steady pace and overlap your passes slightly to avoid gaps.
Water within 24 hours of application to move the product into the soil where seeds germinate. About 0.5 inches of water is ideal.
Uneven application leaves gaps where weeds break through. Skipping the watering step leaves product on the grass blades where it can’t work.
Step 4: Consider a Second Application (Late May)
Pre emergent effectiveness fades over 8 to 12 weeks. A second application in late May extends protection through summer when late germinating weeds like spurge become active.
Apply at half the original rate for the second application. This maintains the barrier without overloading your lawn with chemicals.
Critical warning: Do not apply pre emergent if you plan to seed or overseed your lawn within the next 8 to 12 weeks. Pre emergent stops grass seeds from growing just like it stops weed seeds.
Our Weed Free Program includes properly timed pre emergent applications that account for Aurora’s specific conditions and your lawn’s needs.
Post Emergent Weed Control Guide for Aurora Lawns
Post emergent herbicides kill weeds that are already growing. These products work best on young, actively growing weeds.
Step 1: Identify Your Weeds First
Different weeds require different treatments. Broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, and plantain need broadleaf herbicides. Grassy weeds like crabgrass need different products entirely.
Take photos of your weeds and identify them before buying any product. Many herbicides only work on specific weed types.
Using the wrong product wastes money and leaves weeds untreated. A broadleaf herbicide will not kill crabgrass no matter how much you apply.
Step 2: Choose the Right Timing (Fall is Best)
For most broadleaf weeds, fall is the ideal treatment time. Weeds are actively moving nutrients down to their roots to prepare for winter. Herbicide follows the same path and kills the entire plant, root and all.
Spring applications work but often only kill the top growth. The root survives and regrows within weeks.
Avoid treating during summer heat when temperatures exceed 85 degrees. Most post emergent herbicides become less effective and more likely to damage grass in high heat.
Step 3: Apply When Conditions Are Right
Spray when weeds are dry and no rain is expected for at least 24 hours. Wind should be calm to prevent drift onto desirable plants.
Temperature should be between 60 and 80 degrees for best results. Early morning or evening applications work well.
Coat weed leaves thoroughly but don’t drench them to the point of runoff. The product needs to stay on the leaf to be absorbed.
Crabgrass Guidance: Act Fast or Wait It Out
If crabgrass appears despite pre emergent treatment, you have limited options. Products containing quinclorac can kill young crabgrass, but mature plants are very difficult to control.
For heavy crabgrass infestations discovered in midsummer, consider waiting until fall. Crabgrass dies with the first frost anyway. Focus on a strong pre emergent program next spring instead.
Trying to kill mature crabgrass often damages surrounding grass more than the weed itself.
Step 4: Follow Up as Needed
Check treated areas after two weeks. Some weeds require a second application to fully die. Perennial weeds with deep roots often need multiple treatments.
Don’t retreat sooner than the label allows. Over application damages grass and doesn’t kill weeds any faster.
How to Calculate Herbicide Application Rates
Proper measurement prevents waste, lawn damage, and ineffective weed control.
Step by step process:
- Measure your lawn area by multiplying length times width for each section
- Add all sections together for total square footage
- Check the product label for coverage rate per container
- Divide your lawn area by the coverage rate to find how much product you need
For example, if your lawn is 5,000 square feet and a product covers 2,500 square feet per bag, you need two bags for complete coverage.
Spreader settings vary by brand. Use the product manufacturer’s recommended setting for your specific spreader model. When in doubt, start with a lower setting and make multiple passes rather than applying too heavily.
What About Lawn Fertilization for Weed Control?
A well fed lawn is your best long term weed defense. Thick, vigorous grass naturally prevents weed seeds from reaching soil and germinating.
Proper fertilization fills in thin spots where weeds love to establish. It helps grass recover from damage and compete more aggressively against invaders.
We recommend four fertilizer applications per year for Aurora lawns. Early spring, late spring, early fall, and late fall applications give grass steady nutrition throughout the growing season.
Our fertilization program uses professional grade products that release nutrients slowly over several weeks. This promotes steady growth without the surge and crash cycle that weakens grass.
Common Weed Control Mistakes Aurora Homeowners Make
After treating thousands of Aurora lawns, we see these same errors repeatedly.
Mistake #1: Applying Pre Emergent Too Late Homeowners wait until they see weeds to buy pre emergent. By then, it’s too late. Pre emergent must be applied before weeds germinate, typically weeks before you’d notice any growth.
Mistake #2: Treating Weeds in Summer Heat Hot weather stress makes herbicides less effective and more damaging to grass. Treating dandelions in July often burns the lawn while barely affecting the weeds.
Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Product People grab whatever weed killer is on sale without checking if it targets their specific weeds. Broadleaf killers don’t work on grassy weeds. Crabgrass killers don’t work on dandelions.
Mistake #4: Skipping Identification Aurora has dozens of common weeds. Effective treatment requires knowing what you’re fighting. What looks like clover might actually be black medic, which requires different treatment.
Mistake #5: Expecting Instant Results Most herbicides take one to three weeks to fully kill weeds. Homeowners see weeds still standing after three days and assume the product didn’t work. They reapply and damage their lawn.
Pre Emergent vs. Post Emergent: Which Should You Choose?
Pre Emergent herbicides prevent weeds by stopping seeds from germinating. They’re invisible and work quietly underground. You won’t see dramatic results because you won’t see the weeds that never grew. Best for: Preventing crabgrass, spurge, and other annual weeds that spread by seed each year
Post Emergent herbicides kill weeds you can already see. Results are visible as weeds yellow, wilt, and die over one to three weeks. Best for: Eliminating existing dandelions, clover, plantain, and other broadleaf weeds
Most Aurora lawns need both types. Pre emergent in spring prevents annual weeds. Post emergent in fall eliminates perennials that survived the year.
Your Weed Control Calendar at a Glance
Annual Weed Prevention
| When | What to Do | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Early April | First pre emergent application | Apply when soil reaches 55 degrees |
| Late May | Second pre emergent application | Half rate to extend protection |
| Ongoing | Maintain lawn health | Mow high, water deeply, fertilize properly |
Perennial Weed Treatment
| When | What to Do | Details |
|---|---|---|
| September to October | Primary post emergent treatment | Best results when weeds are actively growing |
| Two Weeks Later | Follow up application if needed | Check for surviving weeds |
| Spring | Spot treat any survivors | Catch escapes before they spread |
The Bottom Line
Controlling weeds in your Aurora lawn requires the right products applied at the right times combined with lawn care practices that help grass outcompete invaders.
Key principles to remember:
Prevention through pre emergent is easier and cheaper than treating existing weeds
Timing matters more than product choice for most weed control
Fall is the best time to treat established broadleaf weeds
A thick, healthy lawn naturally prevents most weed problems
Identification before treatment prevents wasted time and money
Following these guidelines consistently will give you a lawn with far fewer weeds and much less frustration than the spray and pray approach most homeowners use.
Let Us Handle It For You
Every Aurora lawn has different weed pressures based on its history, surrounding areas, grass type, and maintenance practices. What works for your neighbor might not address your specific problems.
Our Weed Free Program accounts for all these variables with customized treatment designed for your property.
Weed Free Program includes:
Properly timed pre emergent applications for season long prevention
Targeted post emergent treatments matched to your specific weeds
Professional identification of problem weeds and their sources
Ongoing monitoring to catch new problems before they spread
We know Aurora homeowners are frustrated by weeds that keep coming back no matter what they try. The DIY approach often means spending money on products that don’t work because they’re applied at the wrong time or target the wrong weeds.
Contact us today to schedule your lawn evaluation and start your Weed Free Program before spring weeds take hold.
