Blog - Lawn Buddies

Why Do Weeds Keep Growing Back in Your Lawn? 6 Reasons

Written by Chase Coates | Nov 29, 2023

Your lawn must be cursed, right? 

Some spooky ancient weed creature put a spell on it under a full moon one night. 

That must be why weeds keep growing back, even though you think you’re doing everything right.

Why do weeds keep coming back? Whyyyyyyyyyyy????

We’re not totally ruling out the weed creature curse theory.

But there are a few more realistic explanations.

Take a look:

1. Seeds, Seeds, Seeds

Seeds are everything with some weeds, like dandelions and crabgrass. 

Once a dandelion’s white fluffy seed head is picked up by the breeze, it goes kind of crazy, spreading seeds everywhere, which is why there are so many dandelions in your yard. 

Those seeds can travel up to five miles! So seeds from dandelions miles away can drift in and take root. Yes, it stinks. 

Crabgrass produces as many as 150,000 seeds. And those seeds stay behind, ready to germinate the following spring and start the evil cycle all over again.

Why do weeds keep growing back? Because their seeds are EVERYWHERE. 

We’re not trying to start a feud here, but you might blame your neighbors. If they didn’t tend to their weeds, the seeds from their weeds are happily blowing into your yard, and settling in to sprout. Who else is on your enemy list? Birds. They drop seeds -- or poop them out --  in your yard. Even your loyal best pal is kind of to blame. Weed seeds nestle in your dog’s fur when you’re out for a walk and drop into your yard once you’re home. 

Hate weeds? Blame seeds.

2. Your DIY Products Just Don’t Cut It

You can’t hear them, but some weeds are out there laughing at your DIY weed control. Just when you thought they couldn't get any more aggravating.

How to get rid of stubborn weeds? Professionals have access to weed control products you can’t use without a license. And they can custom mix products or mix them in higher concentrations than the pre-mixed products you can buy at the store. 

It’s one great reason to hire an Idaho Falls or Boise, ID lawn care service. Another reason: you don’t have to worry about buying and storing chemicals in your garage.

The products you’re using are probably just not effective.

3. Your Lawn is Thin and Struggling

Weeds are an annoying warning sign that your lawn needs some help. They love thin, weak lawns. 

Thick, healthy lawn will crowd out weeds, making it tough for them to take hold.

Weak lawns might as well be holding a welcome sign for weeds. 

How to keep weeds from growing back? Take action to improve your lawn:

  • Mow high — taller grass helps a lawn grow thicker. 

  • Check your watering habits. A lawn that’s too wet or too dry encourages weeds.

  • Try aeration. Those tiny cores of soil that aeration removes helps break up compacted soil, allowing water, air and other nutrients to reach the roots so your lawn will breathe easier. 

  • Get on board with a comprehensive, proactive lawn care plan that offers preventive weed control plus treatments to kill them once they sprout.

4.  Your Lawn Soil pH is Off

Yup, this matters. 

Important nutrients for plants tend to be available in soil when the pH is at the correct level. If your pH is off, your grass won’t get the nutrients it needs, even if you fertilize regularly. That makes it more vulnerable to weeds.  


Have your soil’s pH level tested. If it’s out of whack, your lawn care pro can add the right soil amendments to bring it to the right level.

5. You Have Too Much Shade

Grass loves sun, so if your yard is too shady, grass struggles to grow nice and thick, which means shade-tolerant weeds take hold.

How to keep weeds from coming back? You might need to prune your shade trees so more light can reach the lawn below; try a more shade-tolerant variety of grass; or convert your problem areas to gardens of shade-loving plants.

6. Some Weeds Are Really, Really Stubborn

Why do weeds keep coming back? Some weeds have unbelievable stamina, with thousands of seeds; root systems that can extend for10 feet; underground tubers that can survive deep in your soil for up to 10 years before emerging to produce new weeds.

The toughest weeds take time to banish, and several treatments, even spanning a year or more.

No single herbicide, weeding technique, or lawn care strategy works against all weeds. They come in too many varieties. Some succumb quickly to a treatment. Others hang on. And on. And on.

It’s a lot, right? Don’t feel bad. Even the pros toss a few swear words at weeds.

How to Get Rid of Stubborn Weeds?

A comprehensive lawn care program is your best bet. Not only does it target weeds at just the right times, but a high-quality program also includes products that improve soil health and plant health, which will reduce the amount of weeds.

High quality fertilizer  — not the cheapest stuff on sale — is key, too, to help your lawn grow thick and healthy to better crowd out weeds.

When you choose Lawn Buddies, in Idaho Falls or Boise, ID, you get one premium, six-visit lawn care program that includes everything your lawn needs to grow healthy and green, including weed control that’s perfectly timed throughout the year.

Most weeds are banished over the course of the six-step program. But some extra-tough villains may require a different herbicide, which is an additional visit on top of the normal lawn treatment.

Controlling weeds is a process, not a one-shot deal.

How to Keep Weeds from Growing Back? A Healthy Lawn

The best method of control for weeds is establishing healthy turf, including proper fertilizing, watering, and mowing. 


Weeds hate a thick, healthy lawn. Dense grass crowds out weeds and blocks the sunlight their seeds need to sprout.

Weeds love to push through struggling lawns to take over weak spots. So your best line of defense is to keep your grass thick, lush and healthy with a lawn care service annual maintenance program for healthy, strong roots. Then weed seeds will have a tougher time sprouting.

Is Your Lawn Ready for a New Best Friend?

Stop worrying about weeds and partner with an Idaho lawn care company that’s expert in weed control.

Choose a professional lawn care service in Idaho Falls or Boise, ID area that bundles your yard’s most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan that tells you the cost up front. 

Welcome to one premium, six-visit lawn care program that includes everything your Idaho lawn needs to grow healthy and green.

Fertilizer, weed treatments, and grub control, all wrapped up in six visits, each perfectly timed throughout the season, so your grass is green and strong and resists weeds.

We’ve got your back. 

Got a few minutes? That’s all you need to get started.
Fill out the form on this page.
Call us at (208) 656-9131.
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Then kick back and relax in your healthy, thriving yard.