Garden Detective: Weeds - a lawn's cry for help

Got weeds? Many of us do. But if we took better care of our lawns and soil, they might not be a problem. Listen to your weeds; their mere presence is your lawn's cry for help. Think of them as symptoms, not diseases. So put away the herbicide and correct the underlying cause; that way, the weeds will fade away naturally.

Here are some common Long Island lawn weeds and what they're trying to tell you.

Weed: Black medic. Cause: Low nitrogen. Cure: Check soil nutrients and fertilize accordingly.

Weed: Buckhorn. Cause: Compacted soil. Cure: Core aerate the soil in spring and/or fall

Weed: Clover. Cause: Low nitrogen or drought. Cure: Apply nitrogen fertilizer and water regularly

Weed: Knotgrass. Cause: Compacted soil in high-traffic area. Cure: Core aerate several times a year; incorporate compost

Weed: Mouse-ear chickweed. Cause: Shade. Cure: Cut back tree branches to allow more sunlight to reach soil

Weed: Oxalis. Cause: Dry soil. Cure: Water regularly

Weed: Common chickweed. Cause: Shade and cool weather. Cure: Cut back tree branches to allow more sunlight to reach soil

Weed: Dandelions. Cause: Thin, infertile turf. Cure: Fertilize. Sow seed for a fuller lawn

Weed: Plantains. Cause: Compact soil. Cure: Core aerate in spring and/or fall