How to weed your lawn

Have a closer look at the weeds in your grass. If you're not able to identify what weeds are invading your turf, take a picture and bring it into your local Bunnings garden department. We can help you identify which weeds you have and offer advice on to how to tackle them.

You'll have a choice of three types of weed killer.

a) A pre-emergent weed killer that targets weeds before they've had the chance to germinate. This type of weed control is best done in autumn or winter, depending on the weed you're trying to control.

b) Selective weed killers that don't harm most varieties of grass – in fact, it feeds your lawn, while killing the weeds. This is typically best in springtime as weeds would have already sprung but this type of herbicide is safe for some grasses. Simply attach to the hose and spray your lawn according to the instructions on the pack.

c) Non-selective weed killers won't be fussy about what they kill. They will destroy pretty much any plant life that they come in contact with, including your lawn and shrubs. This makes them incredibly strong and effective for tough weeds but also means you have to be extra careful when you apply. If this is the type of weed killer you're choosing to use, you may like to use a sprayer with a cone to make applying the herbicide easier and more precise.

d) For organic gardening, vinegar can function as a natural weed killer.

Manual weed removal is also an option. Using a weeding tool, make sure you pull out the entire weed, including the roots. Place the weed directly into a bucket so it won't spread to other parts of your grass.

Finally, you can also pour boiling water on your weeds to kill them off.

After choosing the best weed killer for your lawn, you'll need to apply it correctly to achieve effective results.

• It's best not to apply the herbicide if the forecast says it's going to rain in the next 24 hours. Rain will either dilute your weed killer or cause it to spread to areas you didn't want it.
• Before you apply, you should make sure that any pets or children are out of harm's way and can't get back onto the grass before it's safe again.
• Apply the weed killer as the weed killer label instructs. Some of the stronger chemicals may require safety glasses, gloves and a dust mask.
• Some weed killers may require a couple of applications before they get rid of all your weeds.

Low-mowed grass, compacted soil and water-deprived turf all encourage weeds. Reversing these problems and maintaining a healthy lawn is the best way to permanently remove weeds or at least stop them from spreading.