will grass fill in after killing weeds

Will Grass Fill in After Killing Weeds? A Complete Guide

Many people dream of having a lush, green lawn that is free of weeds. But when weeds get out of hand, people often use weed killers to get rid of them. This leaves lawns with unsightly bare spots. The big question is whether grass will grow back in those spots after the weeds are gone.

The answer is yes, grass can and will spread to fill bare spots left by eliminating weeds. But the extent of the original weed infestation and the overall health of your lawn are key factors in how quickly and successfully it will recover. Follow these tips to ensure your lawn fills back in properly after weed killing:

Evaluate the Initial Weed Situation

If weeds took over your lawn and left no grass at all, you will need to reseed it. There is no more healthy grass that can grow on the bare ground after the weeds are gone. It rarely works to spread seeds over dead weeds because the seeds just sit on top. Before planting seeds, it’s best to get rid of any dead weeds and lightly till the ground. This makes sure that the grass seed is in direct contact with the soil so that it can grow. Another great choice is to use a slice seeder, which makes even holes for seeds without disturbing deeper weed seeds.

But lawns where weeds took over but there is still a lot of grass recover faster after the weeds are killed. Any holes that are left will be filled in over time by the healthy grass around them. To protect the grass you want, it’s best to use targeted herbicides to treat weeds only in certain areas. Just wait, because it can take weeks or months for even healthy lawns to fill in all the bare spots. Proper mowing, fertilizing, aerating, and irrigation will speed the process.

Prep Your Lawn for Fast Recovery

The better condition your grass is in before weed killing, the quicker it will bounce back afterwards. Here are some tips to prep your lawn for rapid recovery:

• Mow regularly at the proper height – around 3” for cool season grasses. Longer grass shades out weeds.

• Fertilize 4 times per year, using products formulated for each season. Proper nutrients prevent weeds.

• Improve drainage and aerate annually to alleviate soil compaction.

• Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deeper roots.

• Dethatch in spring to remove dead material thatch buildup.

• Overseed thin or bare areas in fall to thicken up grass before winter dormancy.

Take Steps to Rejuvenate Your Lawn

Once weeds are eliminated, actively care for your lawn to accelerate the grass regrowth process:

• Remove any remaining dead weed material by raking carefully.

• Apply a balanced turf fertilizer to nourish the soil and grass plants.

• Water lightly and frequently until new grass is established. Then resume deeper, less frequent watering.

• Reseed any remaining bare spots with a starter fertilizer to jump start growth.

• Allow proper recovery time before mowing or high traffic use of treated areas.

• Monitor and spot treat any additional weed growth with selective herbicides.

Be Patient During the Process

After weeds are pulled, it takes time for grass to grow and fill in any holes. You can expect to see progress in two to four weeks, and it could take up to two to three months to fill in all the bare spots. The exact timeline will vary based on:

• Square footage treated

• Overall health of surrounding grass

• Weather conditions

• Time of year

• Supplemental care like fertilizing, watering, etc.

So be patient and consistent with proper follow-up lawn care. Don’t overseed or reseed too soon, as grass needs time to spread at its natural pace. With proper maintenance, your lawn will fill back in beautifully.

Adopt Proactive Weed Prevention

While grass is resilient at filling back into bare spots, the best defense is preventing heavy weed infestations in the first place through proactive lawn care:

• Mow at the ideal cutting height and frequency for your grass type. Never cut more than 1/3 of blade height.

• Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deeper rooting. Avoid frequent, light watering.

• Fertilize based on soil tests using a high quality, slow release fertilizer.

• Improve soil health by aerating and incorporating organic compost annually.

• Adjust pH if needed to optimize nutrient availability.

• Overseed to thicken up turf density in fall.

• Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring to prevent summer annual weeds.

Take a total lawn care approach focused on promoting vigorous, dense grass. This minimizes the need for weed killing in the first place. But when weeds do slip through, have confidence that given proper follow up care, grass will fill back into treated areas for a lush, beautiful lawn.

FAQ About Grass Filling In After Weed Removal

Q: How long does it take for grass to fill in bare spots after killing weeds?

A: It typically takes 2-4 weeks to start seeing progress, and up to 2-3 months for total infill of larger bare areas after weed removal. Proper lawn care speeds the process.

Q: Should I reseed after eliminating weeds?

A: Only reseed if weeds totally overtook the lawn with no remaining grass. Otherwise give your existing grass time to spread and fill bare areas, 4-6 weeks typically.

Q: What’s the best way to help grass recover after using weed killers?

A: Regularly water to dilute chemicals and encourage growth, fertilize to nourish grass, and mow at proper heights once grass is established. Avoid excessive traffic on treated areas.

Q: How can I prevent weeds and avoid needing weed killers?

A: Adopt proactive lawn care focused on soil health, proper mowing, fertilizing, aerating, overseeding, and pre-emergent herbicide use. Maintaining dense, vigorous turf minimizes weed issues.