It’s summer. The sun is blazing, the kids are running through sprinklers, and your lawn? It’s just trying to survive.
At Lawnbright, we get a lot of calls this time of year from homeowners asking the same question:
“Broadleaf weeds are popping up—what can I use to kill them?”
And while we do offer a natural broadleaf weed killer (hi, Pulverize), here’s the truth:
We often talk people out of using it.
Because summer is actually the worst time to kill weeds.
Here’s why—and what you should do instead to protect your lawn.
Why You Should Avoid Weed Killers in the Summer
1. Your Lawn Is Already in Heat Stress Mode
In the summer, your grass is like a marathon runner on mile 20—it’s exhausted, dehydrated, and just trying to make it to fall.
Adding herbicides into the mix, even natural or selective ones, is like asking that runner to sprint the last six miles. The lawn simply doesn’t have the energy reserves, and applying weed killer can cause unintended damage to the grass itself.
Even products labeled “safe for grass” can lead to:
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Burnt or yellowing patches
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Increased susceptibility to disease or fungus
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Early dormancy
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Weakened root systems
2. Summer Is About Survival, Not Growth
Conventional weed killers and synthetic fertilizers send your grass a growth signal: "Go, grow!" But during a hot summer stretch, your lawn doesn’t want to grow—it wants to rest.
Synthetic granular fertilizers and herbicides disrupt this natural rhythm, often doing more harm than good. That’s why natural, liquid inputs like Lawnbright’s customized seasonal products are the right choice: they support your lawn’s biology without pushing it too hard.
So... What Should You Do About Summer Weeds?
If you’re battling dandelions, clover, or other broadleaf weeds in July or August, don’t reach for the sprayer. Instead, take a holistic, turf-strengthening approach:
1. Raise Your Mower Deck
Taller grass shades out weeds and encourages deeper roots. Aim to mow at 3.5–4 inches during the summer.
2. Mow More Often
Avoid scalping the lawn. Mowing frequently with less removed each time keeps stress low and suppresses weed seed germination.
3. Sharpen Your Mower Blade
A dull blade tears the grass, creating openings for disease—and making weeds more likely to gain a foothold.
👀 Need a refresher on mowing best practices? Check out our blog on how to mow your lawn like a pro.
4. Water Deeply and Infrequently
Weeds love shallow watering—it’s where they thrive. Your turfgrass, on the other hand, needs water to reach the root zone.
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Water once or twice per week
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Apply about 1 inch per session
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Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungus
💧 Here are our full watering tips for a lush, healthy lawn.
5. Hand Pull Weeds (Sorry, No Easy Button)
There’s no sugarcoating it: pulling weeds by hand is the most effective summer solution. Tools like a weed popper or a dandelion fork make it easier—and oddly satisfying.
When Is the Right Time to Kill Weeds?
Fall is your secret weapon.
Here’s why fall is the best time to treat broadleaf weeds:
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Perennial weeds are in root-building mode—they’re pulling nutrients down into their roots to survive winter.
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Cooler temps + more moisture = less stress on the lawn, so it's more resilient to treatments.
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Herbicides like Pulverize go straight to the source—the roots—leading to longer-lasting control with fewer applications.
In contrast, in spring and summer, plants push everything up toward their leaves and flowers. That means weed killer often only affects the top growth and requires repeat applications.
Why Lawnbright Doesn’t Push Products That Aren’t Right
At Lawnbright, we’re not just trying to sell you something—we’re trying to grow something with you.
That means:
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No pushing products when they’ll do more harm than good
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No shortcuts that weaken your lawn long-term
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No generic advice—our plans are tailored to your soil and lawn conditions
We believe in natural lawn care done the right way, on the right timeline, for the right reasons.
So if you’ve been frustrated by those summer weeds, take a breath. Focus on strengthening your turf, not fighting battles that are best won later.
Come fall? We’ll be right here with the tools and timing to win that war.