The Green Scourge

For members of a dedicated club like ours at www.grasstennisclub.com, a grass tennis court is more than just a playing surface; it’s a living, breathing entity that requires constant attention. While we’ve discussed the importance of mowing and aeration, there’s another persistent challenge that groundskeepers face: weeds. These unwanted plants are more than just an eyesore; they compete with the grass for vital resources, compromise the surface’s uniformity, and can quickly turn a pristine court into a patchy, unplayable mess.

Weeds can be controlled through a combination of manual removal, pre-emergent herbicides, and proper lawn care practices. Maintaining a healthy, dense grass cover prevents weeds from taking hold. Regular mowing, fertilization, and aeration also reduce weed growth. This isn’t a single solution but a comprehensive battle plan that uses both proactive and reactive measures to keep the green scourge at bay.

Proactive Defense: Building a Strong, Healthy Court

The best way to fight weeds is to make sure they never get a foothold in the first place. A healthy, dense grass court is a natural weed deterrent. When the turf is strong and thick, there’s simply no space or sunlight for weed seeds to germinate and establish themselves. This is where our meticulous turf management practices come into play.

• Mowing: Frequent, regular mowing at the ideal height (8-12mm) encourages the grass to grow thicker and more laterally, forming a dense canopy that shades out weed seeds. A clean cut with sharp blades minimizes stress on the grass, allowing it to remain vigorous and outcompete weeds.
• Fertilization: A consistent fertilization schedule ensures the grass has the nutrients it needs to grow strong and dense. A healthy, well-fed turf is far more resilient to the stresses that would otherwise allow weeds to take over.
• Aeration: As we know, aeration relieves soil compaction and improves air and water flow to the roots. This creates an environment where grass can thrive, developing a deep, strong root system that can fend off any opportunistic weeds. A weak, shallow-rooted court is an invitation for weeds to take hold.
• Watering: Proper watering—deeply and infrequently—encourages deep root growth. This makes the turf more resilient and able to compete with weeds that might otherwise thrive in a waterlogged, unhealthy environment.

By focusing on these core lawn care practices, we are effectively using the grass itself as a natural, living barrier.

The First Strike: Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Despite our best efforts, weed seeds, often carried by wind or birds, will inevitably land on the court. This is where the power of pre-emergent herbicides comes in. These chemicals are the turf manager’s secret weapon, offering a proactive, invisible shield against weeds before they even sprout.

A pre-emergent herbicide creates a chemical barrier in the top layer of the soil. When a weed seed germinates and its tiny root or shoot tries to push through this layer, the herbicide disrupts its growth, killing it before it can emerge from the ground. It’s a “before they’re even a problem” solution.

• Timing is everything: Pre-emergent herbicides must be applied at the right time—before weed seeds begin to germinate. For cool-season grasses, this typically means applying them in the early spring before summer weeds like crabgrass emerge, and in the fall to prevent the growth of winter annuals.
• How they work: These herbicides do not kill existing weeds; they only stop seeds from germinating. They work by inhibiting cell division in the new seedlings.
• Application: Pre-emergent herbicides come in both granular and liquid forms. Granular forms are spread with a spreader and must be watered in to activate the chemical barrier. Liquid forms are sprayed on and also require watering to move the chemical into the soil.

Using a pre-emergent herbicide is a highly effective way to dramatically reduce the number of weeds you have to deal with throughout the season. For more information on how these herbicides work and when to apply them, take a look at this article from Advanced Turf Solutions on pre-emergent herbicides.

The Cleanup Crew: Post-Emergent Herbicides and Manual Removal

Sometimes, despite our best proactive measures, a few stubborn weeds will break through. For these cases, a combination of manual removal and targeted post-emergent herbicides is the best course of action.

• Manual Removal: For a few isolated weeds, nothing beats old-fashioned manual removal. This is especially true for larger, broadleaf weeds that may have escaped the pre-emergent barrier. A simple weeding tool can be used to pull the weed out, root and all. This is the most eco-friendly option and is perfect for spot treatments on a small scale. It’s labor-intensive but ensures no other plants are harmed.
• Post-Emergent Herbicides: When weeds are more widespread, post-emergent herbicides are necessary. These chemicals are applied directly to the weeds that have already sprouted.
  • Selective Herbicides: The key is to use a selective post-emergent herbicide. These products are formulated to kill only specific types of weeds (e.g., broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover) while leaving the grass unharmed. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the turf.
  • Application: These are typically applied as a liquid spray, either using a handheld sprayer for spot treatments or a broadcast sprayer for larger areas. Timing is still important—many post-emergent herbicides are most effective when applied to young, actively growing weeds.

The Unwavering Commitment to a Pristine Surface

At www.grasstennisclub.com, our grounds team knows that weed control is not a one-time task but a continuous process. It’s a delicate balance of proactive prevention and reactive intervention, all aimed at maintaining a court that is both beautiful and highly playable. The commitment to a healthy turf through proper mowing, fertilization, and aeration provides the foundation. The strategic use of pre-emergent herbicides acts as the first line of defense. And when a weed does appear, targeted manual removal or selective post-emergent sprays ensure it doesn’t spread.

This multi-faceted approach ensures that our members can step onto a court free of blemishes and distractions. It’s a surface that rewards skill, with a consistent ball bounce and a true roll that only a perfectly maintained grass court can provide. The relentless battle against weeds is part of the art of turf management, and at our club, it’s a battle we are dedicated to winning, ensuring our courts remain the green, perfect stage for the game we all love.

For a general guide on turf care and weed control, including when and how to apply herbicides, a good place to start is this video The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Emergent Herbicides for a Weed-Free Lawn from a lawn care expert.