Question
I have a lawn that is being taken over by weeds....the broad leaf kind, wild strawberries and many others. Whats the best way to  get a start on winning the war against the weeds? I used to spray Weed and Feed and found that helped but what with grandkids around I felt it could have adverse health affects. Thats when the weeds started to take over............is there anything of a home made variety (vinegar and soap or something like that) that I might spray that would kill weeds and not grass?
Other than liming and seeding etc etc..is there a way to start to take back my lawn?
Many thanks  BM


Answer
Weed-and-feed products are good to use and provided the lawn is watered thoroughly (after the stated grace period on the bag) it should be safe for kids.

If you still prefer not to, then I recommend that you start a controlled handpulling program. Start by clearning a strip next to the driveway or house 1 foot wide. Do not try any more than this one foot wide strip.

Next day, redo this strip FIRST and then go another 1 foot strip into the lawn.

3rd day do the first 2 foot wide strips FIRST AND then go another 1 foot strip into the lawn.

Follow this until the lawn has been cleared of weeds. Always start the same place and always clear the portion which has been done the previous time. Weeds may resprout in this area, but if you always start the same place and always clear the original strips first, then it will be very fast and easy to keep the 'already checked areas' clean. Weeds may grow here, but they will be small, easy to pull and wont take much time.

By following the stepped approach above you can systematically clear the entire lawn and once in a pattern, it will be relatively easy to keep clear.

The key is to do this frequently. You do not need to do it daily as explained above (you can do it weekly or as it suits you) but you need to follow the rules:

- do it frequently
- always start the same place
- always clear the already cleared areas first
- go for clearning smaller areas next (dont try to overdo it)


Vinegar is only good if you want to eradicate entire plants (including grass) such as on patios etc.

I still recommend that you lime (as needed) and fertilize. Fertilizer is salts which dissolve with water and will be carried into the root zone by the rain. After fertilizing, simply water thoroughly (or wait for rain) and there should be no residue which would interfer with kids. Fertilizer (regular w/o weed killers) should be done on regular basis (spring and fall for cool season grass and summer in hot areas with warm season grass).

Liming should be done only following a soil test and only if the soil pH is below 6.0