While some people often think that at least the weeds are patches of green colour within their lawn, you need to be aware that they compete do with the grass species for light, nutrients and water and their presence is often to the detriment of your turf. They are also very soft and collapse under nearly any wear, and can be slippery and dangerous to the people and children using the lawn.
When controlling weeds, make sure you spray while the weeds are growing actively. The chemicals work by disrupting particular processes within the plant. When the plant is growing actively, the distribution of the chemical throughout the plant occurs efficiently and the cellular processes that the chemical affects are occurring at a high rate. Therefore at this time the best results will be achieved. To further ensure the best results possible, don't mow the weeds you intend to spray from at least 3 or more days before and after herbicide application and don't fertilise in the 2-week (or greater) period before or after the herbicide application.
As mentioned previously, make sure you minimise the drift from your herbicide spray so that you don't harm other plants in your, or your next-door neighbour's, yard. Also be aware that some chemicals you may want to use to control any weeds in your lawn will also kill your turf, so be particularly careful to apply the herbicide as selectively as possible.
Below we have provided a range of turfgrass weeds which can be found within warm- and or cool-season turfgrasses. Included within each weed thumbnail are technical descriptors and control options for both the home owner and professional sports turf ground manager or superintendent.