Eliminate dandelions, clover, plantain, and other broadleaf weeds from your Howard County lawn with professional weed control from Greenlawn Inc. Serving Ellicott City and Columbia since 1986.
Call for FREE EstimateBroadleaf weeds are the bane of Howard County homeowners—those pesky dandelions, clover patches, and plantain that ruin the appearance of otherwise beautiful lawns. Unlike grassy weeds like crabgrass, broadleaf weeds have wide leaves and can spread rapidly through lawns in Ellicott City and Columbia if left untreated.
At Greenlawn Inc, we've been battling broadleaf weeds in Howard County since 1986. Our 39 years of experience has taught us that effective weed control requires understanding weed biology, proper herbicide selection, correct timing, and realistic expectations.
Howard County lawns contend with dozens of broadleaf weed species. Here are the most problematic:
The most recognizable lawn weed, dandelions have bright yellow flowers that turn into white seed heads. Dandelions develop deep taproots up to 10 inches long, making them nearly impossible to remove by hand-pulling.
White clover forms distinctive three-leafed patches with white spherical flowers. Clover spreads aggressively through creeping stems, fixing its own nitrogen from the air.
Plantain forms low-growing rosettes with broad, ribbed leaves that smother grass underneath. Both types develop tough, fibrous roots and thrive in compacted soil.
Effective broadleaf weed control requires the right product applied at the right time. Here's our proven approach:
Spring Treatment (April-May): Spring is the primary weed control season. Broadleaf weeds are actively growing, which makes them vulnerable to post-emergent herbicides. We apply selective broadleaf herbicides that kill weeds without harming grass.
Fall Treatment (September-October): Fall is actually the most effective time for broadleaf weed control. As perennial weeds prepare for winter, they transport nutrients down to their root systems. Herbicides applied in fall kill weeds more completely.
Our MDA licensing allows us to use professional-grade selective herbicides that kill broadleaf weeds without harming grass. These formulations are more effective than consumer products.
We monitor local conditions and schedule applications when they'll be most effective. Most DIY failures result from improper timing, not product failure.
Stop spending weekends fighting weeds. Professional treatment delivers better results while freeing your time for activities you actually enjoy.
Sustained control requires ongoing treatments, not quick fixes. Our programs keep lawns weed-free year-round with properly timed applications.
Professional weed control programs keep lawns weed-free year-round. Our selective herbicides eliminate broadleaf weeds without harming grass, and our MDA-licensed applicators ensure safe, effective treatment.
Most established weed infestations require 2-3 applications per year for complete control—typically spring and fall treatments. Ongoing maintenance keeps lawns weed-free long-term.
Dandelion seeds are incredibly light and travel easily on wind currents, so every Howard County lawn receives constant seed pressure regardless of how your own property is maintained. The difference between weed-free lawns and dandelion-covered ones isn't seed availability—it's whether the lawn receives regular broadleaf herbicide applications. Your neighbor likely has professional weed control or applies herbicides consistently. Dense, healthy grass also naturally resists weed establishment better than thin, stressed turf.
Most established weed infestations require 2-3 applications per year for complete control—typically spring and fall treatments. Severely weedy lawns might need spot treatments mid-season as well. The first year of treatment dramatically reduces weed populations but rarely eliminates every weed due to constant seed pressure from surrounding properties. Year two typically achieves near-complete control, with only occasional spot weeds requiring touch-ups. Effective weed control is an ongoing program, not a one-time fix.
Professional broadleaf herbicides used by licensed applicators are safe when applied correctly and allowed to dry completely. We recommend keeping children and pets off treated areas until the application has dried (typically 2-4 hours). Once dry, the herbicides bond to leaf surfaces and pose minimal risk. The selective herbicides we use target only broadleaf plants and don't affect grass, people, or pets. Professional application is actually safer because we use calibrated equipment for precise application rates.
Fall (September-October) is actually the most effective time for broadleaf weed control, though spring (April-May) is also excellent. Fall applications work better because perennial weeds like dandelions are actively transporting nutrients to their root systems for winter storage. Herbicides applied in fall are carried deep into roots, killing weeds more completely than spring applications. Ideal control comes from treating both spring and fall. Avoid treating during summer heat stress or when temperatures exceed 85°F.
Hand-pulling works for a few isolated weeds but is impractical for lawns with significant weed populations. Dandelions have taproots 6-10 inches deep that rarely pull completely—any root fragment left behind regrows. Clover spreads through underground stems that break when pulled, creating multiple new plants. Even if you successfully pull every visible weed, you're constantly fighting new weeds germinating from millions of seeds in your soil and blowing in from neighbors' yards. Professional herbicide applications kill existing weeds completely and are far more time-efficient.
Clover is particularly challenging because it fixes its own nitrogen from the air and thrives in low-nitrogen lawns. If your lawn is under-fertilized, clover has a competitive advantage over grass. Additionally, clover spreads through creeping stems that can survive herbicide applications if they're not actively growing during treatment. The most effective clover control combines herbicide applications with improved lawn fertilization that gives grass competitive advantage. Treating clover in both spring and fall catches it during different growth phases for better control.
Combine weed control with comprehensive lawn care for best results: