How we research our guides

Sources we rely on

• University extension services, the public outreach programs of land-grant universities, which publish weed identification and control guidance for home gardeners.
• Product labels, which state what a herbicide controls, where it can be used, at what rate and with what precautions. In the United States, the label is a legal document.
• Federal and state agencies for invasive species and safety information.

What we check

1. IdentificationEach weed page describes the features you can check in your own yard, and the look-alikes that need a different treatment.
2. What works and what doesn’tWe say when a method only burns the leaves, when roots survive, and when a popular trick is a myth.
3. SafetyWe flag risks to pets, children, nearby plants, soil and water, and we never recommend using a product off-label.
4. TimingSeasonal advice is given as ranges and soil temperatures, because spring arrives at different times across the country.

What we don’t do

We don’t accept payment for recommendations, we don’t invent test results, and we don’t present general guidance as a guarantee. For a specific situation — a large infestation, an invasive species on a property line, or anything near water — contact your local extension office.

Updates and corrections

Each guide shows the date it was last updated. If you find an error, email contact@howtogetridofweeds.com and we’ll check it.