Control broadleaf weeds in turf with Bow and Arrow Herbicide (Guide)

For many homeowners and turf managers, maintaining a lush, healthy lawn is paramount. However, one of the most persistent challenges is the invasion of broadleaf weeds. These weeds not only mar the aesthetic appeal of turf, but can also compete with grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight, impeding the growth of desirable species.

So, what can you do about it? A weed control strategy that pairs a quality herbicide with good pasture management practices will put you on the front foot, making weed management significantly easier and reducing the likelihood of recurrence.

From how to identify weeds to our top pick for a herbicide, Bow and Arrow, this guide includes all the information you’ll ever need to keep broadleaf weeds under control on your land.

What are broadleaf weeds in turf and how do you identify them?

Broadleaf weeds are a diverse group of plants characterised by wide, flat leaves. They’re easy to distinguish from grasses, which have narrow leaves. Common broadleaf weed species in lawns and turf include clover, dandelion, bindii, chickweed, onion weed, and oxalis.

How do broadleaf weeds appear and spread?

These weeds are often introduced into lawns through contaminated soil, garden equipment, or wind. Once established, they can spread quickly, especially if turf is weak or poorly maintained. The presence of broadleaf weeds in a lawn usually indicates underlying issues with the area, such as soil compaction, poor drainage, or nutrient deficiencies.

How to control broadleaf weeds in turf

Managing broadleaf weeds in lawns and turf involves a strategic approach, where the goal is to both eliminate existing weeds and create better conditions that discourage their return. There are two key steps to building an effective broadleaf weed maintenance strategy.

Employ better gardening practices

Good lawn and turf management is the first defence against any kind of weeds, but especially broadleaf weeds. Consider the following practices to improve your lawn maintenance:

Proper mowing: Regular mowing to the correct height will keep your lawn dense and healthy, reducing the available space for weeds to establish themselves.
Fertilisation: Apply the right fertiliser at the correct rate and time to promote healthy grass growth, which can then outcompete unwanted species of broadleaf weed.
Irrigation: Watering plentifully but infrequently will encourage deep root growth in lawn grass, making it more resilient to weed invasion.
Aeration: Perforating the soil to allow more air and water through, known as aeration, helps to relieve compaction, improve drainage, and create a more favourable environment for grasses rather than weeds.
Manual weed removal: Physically removing weeds from the lawn (by hand or with a tool like a weed puller) might be labour-intensive, but it’s also effective in smaller infestations or when combined with other control methods like herbicides.
Use a targeted herbicide to control broadleaf weeds

Herbicides are generally the most effective way to control broadleaf weeds, especially in larger areas like big lawns, acreage, and pastures. However, it’s crucial to get your choice of herbicide right, as using the wrong formulation could lead to turf damage.

Herbicides designed for broadleaf weed control in turf are typically selective to ensure optimal weed eradication without endangering the surrounding grass.

Using Bow and Arrow Herbicide to control broadleaf weeds in turf

When recommending a herbicide to control broadleaf weeds, our first pick is Bow and Arrow. It’s among Australia’s most popular broadleaf herbicides, and is well-known among turf professionals and lawn enthusiasts. It is a selective herbicide that controls many broadleaf weeds without harming the surrounding grass. Bow and Arrow is ideal for most common turf varieties, including couch, buffalo, and kikuyu grasses.

Bow and Arrow combines three active ingredients for success: bromoxynil, MCPA, and dicamba. Each ingredient targets weeds in a different way to provide broad-spectrum control: bromoxynil inhibits photosynthesis in the weed, MCPA mimics plant hormones to disrupt growth, and dicamba interferes with cell division in the weeds.

The combination of these ingredients is extremely effective against broadleaf weeds in lawns and turf.

How to use Bow and Arrow Herbicide

To apply Bow and Arrow Herbicide to areas affected by broadleaf weeds, follow these instructions:

Prepare equipment: We recommend applying Bow and Arrow with a sprayer. Ensure your equipment is clean and you have all the protective clothing required, such as gloves and goggles.
Measure the area: Calculate the size of the area you are treating to help determine the ratio of herbicide to water.
Dilute the product: Following the product label, dilute your Bow and Arrow Herbicide with water, mixing together in your sprayer.
Apply to affected areas: Evenly spray the herbicide over the target area, making sure to cover the weeds without oversaturating the soil.
Monitor weed control: Over the next few days to weeks, you should start to see the weeds die off. If needed, reapply Bow and Arrow according to the time intervals recommended on the label (typically 3-4 weeks after your first application).

Selecting your Bow and Arrow Herbicide product

It’s important to note that the Bow and Arrow 10L pack size is a commercial quantity designed to treat 20,000 square metres – the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground! This is a suitable option for large-scale commercial operations.

If you are a domestic lawn enthusiast, turf manager, or simply a homeowner trying to eradicate broadleaf weeds, opt for the 500mL pack, which is enough to treat 1,000 square metres (roughly two lawn tennis courts).

Other herbicides for controlling broadleaf weeds

If you can’t get your hands on Bow and Arrow, or want to explore your options, here are a few active ingredient recommendations that in our experience, will prove successful.

MCPA: This selective ingredient is particularly effective against weeds like clover, dandelion, and plantain. It can be found in many herbicide formulations, often combined with other actives for enhanced efficacy., like Bromoxynil and Dicamba.
Dicamba: This broadleaf herbicide works by causing abnormal cell division and growth in weeds, causing death. Like MCPA, it’s often combined with other herbicides to broaden the spectrum of weed control. Care must always be taken when using dicamba, as it can be volatile and may cause damage to desirable plants if applied incorrectly.
2,4-D: One of the oldest and most broadly-used herbicides, 2,4-D is effective against a variety of weeds. It’s often found in formulations with other herbicides. Like dicamba, 2,4-D must be applied carefully to avoid harming non-target plants.

When to spray herbicides on lawn and turf

Timing is critical when applying herbicides to ensure maximum effectiveness and minimal damage to the turf. Here’s a quick breakdown of each season and its impacts on broadleaf weed herbicide efficacy.

Seasonal considerations for controlling broadleaf weeds

Spring: Spring is an ideal time for herbicide application as broadleaf weeds begin to emerge from dormancy. Early application during spring can prevent weeds from establishing and spreading.

Summer: Summer applications can be effective, but avoid spraying during extreme temperatures, as this can stress the turf and reduce herbicide effectiveness.

Autumn: In some regions, autumn is a good time to apply herbicides, especially if you are trying to control perennial weeds before they enter dormancy.

Winter: Applying herbicides during winter is generally not effective, as most broadleaf weeds are dormant and cannot take up the active ingredients responsible for plant death.

Ultimately, the best time to spray herbicides on broadleaf weeds in turf is during their active growth phase. This is typically in the spring and early summer when weeds are young and growing. At this stage, herbicides are more easily absorbed and translocated throughout the plant, which means a much higher control rate.

Best practices for herbicide application

Whenever you’re using a herbicide, keep these best practice tips in mind to ensure you get the most out of your application and don’t damage the surrounding grass.

Read the label: Like with any chemical-based application, always read and follow the instructions on the herbicide label, taking note of application rates, timing, and safety precautions.
Consider weather conditions: Apply herbicides on calm, mild days to prevent drift and guarantee good product absorption by the plant.
Ensure adequate coverage: When applying herbicides, take care to evenly cover the turf. Uneven application can lead to ineffective control and damage to the surrounding grass.
Avoid mowing: After applying herbicides, don’t mow the area for at least a few days to make sure the product is fully absorbed by the target weeds.

Successful control of broadleaf weeds in lawns and turf requires a comprehensive approach consisting of good gardening practices and strategic use of herbicides. Bow and Arrow is a powerful tool favoured by many Australian turf and lawn enthusiasts as it offers lasting broad-spectrum control without endangering surrounding grass and plants.

By understanding the nature of broadleaf weeds, choosing the right herbicides, and applying them with precision, you can maintain a healthy, weed-free lawn that enhances the beauty of your property, rather than becoming a burden.