{"id":120478,"date":"2026-05-12T16:35:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=120478"},"modified":"2026-05-12T16:42:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:42:41","slug":"how-to-prevent-spurge-weed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-spurge-weed\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Spurge Weed in Your Lawn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve mowed, fertilized, and watered, but spurge still shows up and steals the show. To prevent spurge weed in your lawn, treat with pre-emergent herbicides, solarize small areas, and maintain your lawn consistently.<\/p>    <p>In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through the best ways to keep spurge at bay, including both natural and chemical methods.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>If you struggle to get pre-emergent timing right, let a pro take over. LawnStarter <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\">lawn treatment pros<\/a> know just when to start pre-emergent applications in your area.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 Apply a pre-emergent once soil temps hit 50-55 degrees consistently.<br>\u2022 Solarize your soil in mid-summer (best when temps are over 90 degrees).<br>\u2022 Maintain a thick, dense lawn.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-2baae44c-37f7-46f1-ac68-b89c693a0623\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article, we\u2019ll cover the 3 most effective ways to prevent spurge:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-spurge-weed\/#0-apply-a-pre-emergent-herbicide\" style=\"\">Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-spurge-weed\/#1-solarize-your-soil\" style=\"\">Solarize Your Soil<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-spurge-weed\/#2-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\" style=\"\">Maintain a Healthy Lawn<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-prevent-spurge-weed\/#3-faq-about-preventing-spurge-weed\" style=\"\">FAQ About Preventing Spurge Weed<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-apply-a-pre-emergent-herbicide\">Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide<\/h2>    <p>Pre-emergent weed killers create a barrier in the soil that prevents spurge seeds from germinating. Popular chemical pre-emergent herbicides for spurge control include:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Balan<\/li>    <li>Dimension<\/li>    <li>Pendulum<\/li>    <li>Barricade<\/li>    <li>Gallery<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clemson.edu\/cafls\/faculty_staff\/profiles\/ash7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Anna Hill<\/a>, horticulture Extension agent at Clemson University, recommends rotating products with different active ingredients and always following label rates.<\/p>    <p>There are also natural alternatives, like corn gluten meal (CGM). Unlike chemical products, CGM works by preventing seedlings from developing strong roots. This means weed shoots will still emerge, but they&#8217;ll struggle to survive and die.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p><strong>The best time to apply a pre-emergent is in late winter or early spring<\/strong>, just before weeds start to germinate. However, the exact timing can vary depending on your local climate. To ensure you apply before weeds emerge, spread it when your soil reaches 50-55 degrees.<\/p>    <p>Check out our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-apply-pre-emergent-herbicide\/\">How to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/a> for more information.<\/p>    <p><strong>See Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/corn-gluten-meal-natural-weed-and-feed\">Corn Gluten Meal: All Natural Weed and Feed?<\/a><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-solarize-your-soil\">Solarize Your Soil<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Soil-Solarization.jpg\" alt=\"Plastic sheets covering soil patches on a sandy field for soil solarization, with some grass and weeds around the edges\" class=\"wp-image-132100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Soil-Solarization.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Soil-Solarization-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Soil-Solarization-656x492.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Soil-Solarization-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Soil-Solarization-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solarization. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:SOIL_SOLARIZATION.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RAHUL 143<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>To prevent spurge weed naturally, use the sun\u2019s energy instead of chemicals.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Here\u2019s how to use soil solarization in your yard or landscape beds:<\/p>    <p><strong>Cover the soil with clear plastic sheeting for 4 to 6 weeks during the hottest part of the summer <\/strong>(when day temperatures are consistently above 90 degrees). The heat trapped under the plastic will kill the spurge seeds.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p><strong>Pro Tip: <\/strong>Remember, this method will also kill your grass, so it\u2019s best for areas where you plan to replant.<\/p>    <p><strong>Note: <\/strong>If you live in a region with moderate summer temperatures (below 90 degrees), soil solarization may not be effective.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-maintain-a-healthy-lawn\">Maintain a Healthy Lawn<\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/fertilize-lawn-1.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Man seeding and fertilizing residential backyard lawn with manual grass seed spreader.\" class=\"wp-image-138632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/fertilize-lawn-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/fertilize-lawn-1-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/fertilize-lawn-1-656x418.jpg 656w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/fertilize-lawn-1-150x96.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/fertilize-lawn-1-768x490.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Person fertilizing a lawn using a spreader. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/man-seeding-and-fertilizing-residential-backyard-lawn-with-manual-grass-seed-spreader\/284943935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scott Habermann<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p>According to Hill, there is no &#8220;silver bullet\u201d against spurge, but \u201cmaintaining a healthy, thick lawn is key to preventing spurge from establishing.\u201d Proper lawn care helps create a strong, competitive turf that crowds out unwanted plants.&nbsp;<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Mowing:<\/strong> Hill says, \u201cMowing at the upper end of the recommended range for your grass type will help shade out the spurge (seeds).\u201d For more mowing tips, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/lawn-mowing-tips-cut-grass\/\">How to Mow Your Lawn: A No-Nonsense Guide<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Fertilization:<\/strong> Fertilize in spring and fall to boost your lawn&#8217;s growth and help it compete with spurge. You\u2019ll find everything you need to know about lawn fertilization in our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-fertilize-lawn\/\">How to Fertilize Your Lawn<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Watering:<\/strong> Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep root growth, leading to a stronger lawn. To learn the best watering practices for your lawn, head over to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-often-to-water-lawn\/\">How Often Should I Water My Lawn?<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Aeration: <\/strong>Hill says, \u201cAeration can help reduce compaction, improve soil health, and promote nutrient uptake and water absorption, thereby allowing the grass to develop a stronger root system that can outcompete weeds.\u201d Read our step-by-step guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-aerate-lawn\/#0-how-to-aerate-your-lawn-in-7-easy-steps\">How to Aerate a Lawn<\/a> for more details.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-faq-about-preventing-spurge-weed\">FAQ About Preventing Spurge Weed<\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778403806736\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I Remove Existing Spurge Before Applying Pre-Emergent Herbicides?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, it\u2019s best to remove any existing spurge weed before applying pre-emergent herbicides. Why? Because if you don\u2019t, it\u2019ll continue to grow and produce seeds, undermining the effectiveness of the herbicide.\u00a0<br><br>Hill recommends always scouting for new spurge and hand-pulling them immediately while they&#8217;re still small.<br><br>Once you\u2019ve <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/what-does-spurge-weed-look-like\/\">identified spurge<\/a>, check our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/how-to-get-rid-of-spurge-weed\/\">guide on getting rid of spurge weed<\/a> to learn more about the most effective removal methods.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778403822304\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What Role Does Soil Health Play in Preventing Spurge?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Healthy soil is vital for preventing spurge. Well-aerated, nutrient-rich soil promotes strong grass growth, making it difficult for spurge to compete. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/ph-soil-test-lawn-grass\/\">Regularly testing your soil<\/a> and adding organic matter (e.g., compost) can improve its health and resilience against unwanted weeds.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1778403835154\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are There Specific Grass Types That Are More Resilient to Spurge?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Grass types that have good density and are well maintained can make a significant difference when combating spurge.<br><br>For instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/cool-season-grass-growing-guide\/\">cool-season grasses<\/a> like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are known for their dense growth and ability to outcompete weeds. These grasses thrive in cooler climates with mild summers, such as the northern U.S.\u00a0<br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/lawn-care-2\/warm-season-grass-growing-guide\/\">Warm-season grasses<\/a> like Bermuda and Zoysia also create a thick lawn that can deter spurge, but they\u2019re best suited for warmer climates common in the southern half of the country.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-shield-your-lawn-from-spurge-with-expert-help\">Shield Your Lawn From Spurge with Expert Help<\/h2>    <p>Preventing spurge can be a real headache. You have to spend time researching, buying products, and figuring out the best time to apply them.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Why not let our lawn care pros handle the dirty work? With their expert care, LawnStarter\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=fertilization\">lawn treatment<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">mowing pros<\/a> apply pre-emergent and fertilizer at the proper time and mow regularly, helping your grass to thrive.<\/p>    <p>Reach out to a <a href=\"https:\/\/signup-web.lawnstarter.com\/cart\/contact-info?intent=mowing\">LawnStarter lawn care pro<\/a> in your area today.&nbsp;<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-3e846e26-2ac4-4b2d-81b5-a3995526c386\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"true\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-3e846e26-2ac4-4b2d-81b5-a3995526c386\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-3e846e26-2ac4-4b2d-81b5-a3995526c386\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-3e846e26-2ac4-4b2d-81b5-a3995526c386\">  <p>Anna Hill, horticulture Extension agent with Clemson University, Barnwell, South Carolina. Personal interview.<\/p>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p>Main Image: Bright yellow spurge flowers bloom among green stems. Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/in-the-wild-grows-and-blooms-euphorbia-virgata\/262315448\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">orestligetka<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To prevent spurge in your lawn, apply a pre-emergent herbicide like Balan or Dimension, solarize the soil, and keep a regular lawn care schedule.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":164,"featured_media":120483,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[9],"class_list":["post-120478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-2","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/spurge-weed-1.jpeg?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Tatiana Barrie","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/tatiana-barrie\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Prevent Spurge Weed in Your Lawn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"To prevent spurge in your lawn, apply a pre-emergent herbicide like Balan or Dimension, solarize the soil, and keep a regular 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