How to Prevent Weeds Naturally in Your St. Catharines Lawn This Spring
Spring in St. Catharines is the perfect time to get ahead of weeds before they take over your lawn. While many homeowners turn to chemical herbicides, natural weed prevention methods can be just as effective — and much healthier for your grass, your family, and the local ecosystem.
At Don’s Lawn & Land Care, we believe in building resilient, low-maintenance lawns using eco-friendly practices. Here's how you can keep your lawn weed-free — the natural way.
1. Start with a Healthy Lawn Foundation
Weeds thrive in weak, patchy lawns. The best natural defense is a dense, well-fed turf that outcompetes invaders.
Fertilize appropriately (see our last blog post!) to encourage thick grass growth.
Mow high — 2.5 to 3.5 inches — to shade the soil and block weed seeds from germinating.
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage strong roots.
2. Overseed Thin Areas in Early Spring
Bare spots are prime real estate for weeds. Fill them in by overseeding with a grass seed mix suited to your lawn’s needs.
Tip for St. Catharines lawns: Use a cool-season blend of Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and perennial ryegrass for optimal growth in our climate.
3. Apply Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent herbicide that suppresses weed seeds (especially crabgrass) from sprouting. It also adds nitrogen to the soil, acting as a light fertilizer.
When to apply: Early spring, before soil temps hit 10°C.
Caution: Corn gluten won’t kill existing weeds and can interfere with grass seed germination — apply only if you're not overseeding.
4. Mulch and Edge Garden Beds
Keep weeds from creeping into your lawn from garden beds by:
Edging regularly to create a clear barrier.
Adding mulch to flowerbeds, which smothers weed seeds and retains soil moisture.
Natural mulches like shredded bark or leaf compost are both effective and eco-friendly.
5. Hand-Pull Weeds Before They Seed
Yes, it’s a bit of work — but it’s effective. Pulling weeds by hand (especially when the soil is moist) removes the entire root system and keeps seeds from spreading.
Target these common St. Catharines spring weeds early:
Dandelions
Chickweed
Creeping Charlie
Plantain
A simple weeding tool or dandelion fork makes the job much easier.
Need Help Maintaining a Weed-Free Lawn Naturally?
We offer natural lawn care programs tailored for homes in St. Catharines and across the Niagara Region. Our team uses sustainable practices that protect your lawn and the environment — no harsh chemicals required.
Next in our series:
👉 "Spring Lawn Watering Tips: How to Water Smarter in St. Catharines"