Q: How does a broadleaf herbicide work, and why is it applied as the second treatment?

Broadleaf herbicides are designed to actively target and eliminate weeds that are already growing —such as dandelions, clover, and other common broadleaf weeds. They work by being absorbed through the leaves and moving throughout the plant, disrupting its growth process and ultimately killing it at the root. We time this as our second application because it’s most effective once weeds have fully emerged and are actively growing. Early in the season, many broadleaf weeds haven’t surfaced yet, so applying too soon would limit results. By waiting until the lawn and weeds are actively growing, we ensure better uptake and more effective control. This step works hand-in-hand with the first application: First application (pre-emergent): Prevents future grassy weeds like crabgrass Second application (broadleaf control): Eliminates existing weeds already in the lawn Together, they create both preventative and corrective control , helping your lawn clean up and stay healthier throughout the season.

Question 1

How often do you apply treatments?

Accepted Answer

Applications are typically spaced every 4–8 weeks, depending on weather, lawn condition, and timing within the season. This ensures consistent results without over-applying products.

Question 2

What types of weeds do you control?

Accepted Answer

We target common broadleaf weeds found in Janesville lawns, such as dandelions, clover, and creeping weeds, and prevent crabgrass through early spring applications.

Question 3

Do you use liquid or granular applications?

Accepted Answer

We use a combination of both. Liquid applications are used for targeted weed control, while granular fertilizers provide slow-release nutrients for long-term lawn health.

Question 4

When will I start seeing results?

Accepted Answer

Most customers begin seeing improvement within a few weeks, with full results developing throughout the season as each application builds on the previous one.

Question 5

Do you offer grub control?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we offer grub control as an optional add-on to protect your lawn from root damage and brown patches caused by lawn insects.

Question 6

Is your lawn care program safe for pets and children?

Accepted Answer

Yes — once applications are dry (typically 1–2 hours), it is safe for pets and children to return to the lawn.

Question 7

Will this completely eliminate all weeds?

Accepted Answer

Our program is designed to significantly reduce and control weeds, but complete eradication is not always possible. Some weeds may require multiple treatments throughout the season.

Question 8

How does crabgrass pre-emergent work, and why doesn’t it show immediate results?

Accepted Answer

Crabgrass pre-emergent is applied in early spring to stop crabgrass before it ever grows. It forms a barrier in the soil that prevents weed seeds from developing roots as they begin to germinate. This means it works before weeds are visible, not after.

Because of this, pre-emergent is preventative—not a weed killer. For new or first-season clients, you may still see weeds early on because those weeds were already growing before treatments began. Pre-emergent can’t eliminate existing weeds—it only prevents new ones from developing. Full results typically improve over time with consistent seasonal applications.

It’s also important to note that crabgrass pre-emergent targets grassy weeds only, like crabgrass. It does not control broadleaf weeds such as dandelions or clover, which require separate treatments later in the season.

A common misconception is that early spring applications will immediately clean up a lawn. In reality, this step is about long-term prevention, helping reduce future weed pressure rather than fixing what’s already there.

Question 9

How does a broadleaf herbicide work, and why is it applied as the second treatment?

Accepted Answer

Broadleaf herbicides are designed to actively target and eliminate weeds that are already growing—such as dandelions, clover, and other common broadleaf weeds. They work by being absorbed through the leaves and moving throughout the plant, disrupting its growth process and ultimately killing it at the root.

We time this as our second application because it’s most effective once weeds have fully emerged and are actively growing. Early in the season, many broadleaf weeds haven’t surfaced yet, so applying too soon would limit results. By waiting until the lawn and weeds are actively growing, we ensure better uptake and more effective control.

This step works hand-in-hand with the first application:

First application (pre-emergent): Prevents future grassy weeds like crabgrass
Second application (broadleaf control): Eliminates existing weeds already in the lawn

Together, they create both preventative and corrective control, helping your lawn clean up and stay healthier throughout the season.

Question 10

Why are weeds suddenly appearing if my lawn has been treated in previous years?

Accepted Answer

It’s very common to see weeds like dandelions “pop up out of nowhere” in late April and early May—even in lawns that have been treated in past seasons. The reason comes down to how these weeds grow.

Many common broadleaf weeds, including dandelions, are perennials. That means they don’t start from seed each spring—instead, they survive underground through the winter in established root systems. As soon as soil temperatures warm up, they regrow rapidly from those existing roots, often before lawn treatments have a chance to fully take effect.

This is also why pre-emergent applications don’t stop them—pre-emergent only prevents new seeds from germinating, not established plants that are already alive beneath the surface.

So when you see weeds early in the season, they aren’t new—they’ve actually been there the whole time. Our follow-up broadleaf treatment is specifically timed to target these actively growing weeds and eliminate them at the root once they’ve fully emerged.

Question 11

How do I tell the difference between tall fescue and crabgrass?

Accepted Answer

Tall fescue and crabgrass are often confused, but they behave very differently.

Tall fescue is a perennial grass, meaning it comes back year after year. It grows in clumps, has wider, darker green blades, and stands more upright than surrounding turf. Because it survives through winter, it’s usually one of the first grasses you’ll notice in early spring.

Crabgrass, on the other hand, is an annual grassy weed. It grows low and spreads outward in a wide, flat, “spider-like” pattern. It typically appears later in the season as soil temperatures warm and dies off after the first frost.

A common misdiagnosis happens early in the season when clumpy tall fescue stands out in a Kentucky bluegrass lawn—many assume it’s crabgrass, but true crabgrass hasn’t even germinated yet. Proper identification is important because each requires a completely different control approach.

Question 12

How do you remove tall fescue from a Kentucky bluegrass lawn?

Accepted Answer

Because tall fescue is a perennial grass, it cannot be selectively removed with standard weed control products without also harming your desirable turf. There is no true selective herbicide that will eliminate tall fescue in a Kentucky bluegrass lawn without damage.

The most effective removal methods are:

Spot spraying with a non-selective herbicide to kill the clump entirely, followed by reseeding or patch repair
Manual removal (digging out the clump and root system), then filling with topsoil and reseeding

After removal, it’s important to re-establish the area with desirable grass to prevent weeds from filling in.

Long-term, maintaining a thick, healthy Kentucky bluegrass lawn helps reduce the visibility and spread of off-type grasses like tall fescue, but complete elimination typically requires targeted spot treatment and repair.

Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control Program

Keep your lawn thick, green, and weed-free with our proven 5-step fertilization and weed control program designed specifically for Wisconsin lawns.

5-Step Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control Program

Crabgrass Prevention & Pre-Emergent Control

Liquid Broadleaf Weed Control Treatments

Slow-Release Fertilizer Applications

Spot Weed Treatments Throughout the Season

Grub Control Treatment (Optional Add-On)

Landscape Bed Weed Control Services

Get a Thicker, Greener, Weed-Free Lawn

Our 5-step fertilization and weed control program is built for Wisconsin lawns — delivering consistent results all season long in Janesville and surrounding areas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fertilization & Weed Control

Get answers to common questions about maintaining a healthy lawn.