Get matched with top weed maintenance pros in Oak Forest, IL

Clover lawns stand up better against dog and cat urine than traditional turfgrass. If your pets love to hang out on the lawn on a sunny day—or if you find yourself with a lot of visiting neighborhood dogs—you could save yourself from yellow and brown patches by making the switch to a clover lawn.

Jet washing can wash away weeds without bending or kneeling to pull them. However, the results will likely be fleeting because the weeds will return unless you use a stronger method that takes them out at the root. Use a jet washer for short-term weed removal, but use a stronger method if you want to get rid of weeds for good.

The best time to hire a weed service company is in the early spring. This allows them to apply a pre-emergent weed killer that stops weeds from taking root, making maintenance for the rest of the season much easier. Following the initial spring application, a monthly service through the summer and early fall is a good idea for ongoing weed control. These regular treatments, combined with manual removal or spot treatment, should be sufficient to maintain a weed-free yard. Alternatively, you can hire a professional in the fall for the following year, as some companies may offer better rates on contracts signed before the busy spring season.

Adding vinegar to your lawn increases the acidity of the area, which can kill quack grass present above the ground. However, putting vinegar in your yard will also kill the grass. Unfortunately, the below-ground quack grass rhizomes remain very much alive in the presence of vinegar and will soon sprout again.