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Summer is prime growing season — not just for grass, but for weeds too.
In the Southeast, lawns with warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine are especially vulnerable to a surge of weeds when heat and humidity rise. If you’ve spotted patchy invaders in your yard, now’s the time to take action to prevent weed takeover and ensure grass health and a beautiful summer yard.
Here’s how to identify the most common summer weeds and keep them from taking over your turf.
1. Top Summer Weeds in Southern Lawns (and How to Control Them)
✅ Crabgrass
This fast-spreading weed thrives in hot, sunny conditions and often pops up in thin or stressed areas of Bermuda and St. Augustine lawns.
✅ Spurge
A low-growing, reddish-tinged weed that forms mats across your grass. It loves heat and dry conditions and shows up in all three grass types.
✅ Nutsedge (Nutgrass)
This tricky weed resembles grass but grows taller and faster. It’s especially persistent in moist or poorly drained lawns, including St. Augustine and Zoysia yards.
✅ Dallisgrass
A clumpy, coarse weed that invades Bermuda and Zoysia lawns. It’s harder to control once established and thrives in warm, wet areas.
✅ Clover
Though some don’t mind its look, clover can quickly spread through Bermuda and Zoysia grass lawns. It’s less common in thick St. Augustine lawns, but still possible if the turf is thin.
2. Why Summer Lawns Are Prone to Weeds in the Southeast
Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine grow best in hot weather — but so do many invasive weeds. Add in typical summer rainstorms, compacted soil, or inconsistent lawn maintenance, and weeds quickly outcompete healthy grass.
St. Augustine grass, in particular, prefers moisture and moderate shade, which can create conditions that also favor broadleaf weeds like spurge or dollarweed.
3. Weed Control Tips for Warm Season Grasses: Bermuda, Zoysia & St. Augustine Grass
🟩 Keep Your Lawn Thick and Healthy
Healthy grass shades the soil and chokes out weed seeds. Mow at the right height:
Bermuda: 1–2 inches
Zoysia: 1–2.5 inches
St. Augustine: 2.5–4 inches (don’t scalp it!)
🟩 Water Deeply, But Infrequently
Watering 1–2 times a week (early morning) helps your lawn grow deep roots without encouraging shallow-rooted weeds.
🟩 Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control in Early Spring
This helps stop summer weeds like crabgrass before they sprout. Timing is key — aim for when soil temps reach 55°F.
🟩 Use Safe Post-Emergents for Active Weeds
If weeds are already visible, choose herbicides that are labeled safe for your specific grass type. St. Augustine is more sensitive than Bermuda or Zoysia, so always double-check the label or ask a pro.
🟩 Fix Drainage Issues and Aerate
Wet, compacted lawns attract nutsedge and other weeds. Aerating, leveling low spots, and testing your soil’s pH balance can all reduce weed-friendly environments.
4. When to Call a Lawn Care Pro for Expert Lawn Treatments and Weed Control
Some weeds just don’t quit. If you’ve tried it all and they keep coming back, it’s time to bring in expert help. At Waynes, our trained lawn care professionals know how to treat weeds without harming grass. We create custom plans tailored to your lawn’s exact needs. If your soil seems very compacted, you can also trust Waynes to aerate your lawn.
Summer Weed Control Checklist for Southern Lawns
Prevent weeds from overtaking your warm-season grass with these expert-approved lawn care steps:
- Mow at the correct height for your grass type
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide in early spring
- Use post-emergents safe for Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine
- Water deeply 1–2 times per week
- Fix drainage issues and reduce standing water
- Aerate compacted soil to improve root growth
- Keep your lawn thick to crowd out weeds
- Consult lawn care professionals for persistent weed problems
Want a Weed-Free Lawn This Summer?
Waynes offers lawn aeration, targeted weed control, and lawn care services designed for your yard’s climate and type of grass. For homeowners who want to do more between visits, our seasonal lawn care tips and guides can help you keep your turf in top shape. While you’re tending the turf, don’t forget the garden: here’s how to protect your summer tomatoes from pests so your whole yard thrives. Let us help you enjoy a lush, green, weed-free lawn this season and beyond.
👉 Get a free quote today from Waynes! Don’t let weeds ruin your summer lawn. Waynes Pest Control offers comprehensive lawn care and weed control services tailored for Southern grass types like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. From lawn aeration to custom lawn treatment plans, our local experts help you grow thick, healthy turf all year long.
Based in the Southeast, Waynes serves homeowners in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Florida Panhandle with expert lawn care and weed control.
Fill out our contact form or give us a call at 866-929-6371.
