by Brianna Crandall — April 16, 2018 — The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) announced last week the 10 US cities that are expected to be most impacted by weed growth and disease this spring and summer. April is National Lawn Care Month, and NALP encourages homeowners and property/facilities managers to heed the warning of the locations that have the greatest potential for problematic plants that can inhibit the health of lawns.
Missy Henriksen, vice president of Public Affairs, NALP, stated:
Healthy lawns are essential for families, communities and the environment. Weeds and diseases have the potential to destroy backyards, sports fields and much-enjoyed public spaces. National Lawn Care Month brings awareness to the specific issues that may affect your region, and serves as a reminder on the importance of working with a lawn care professional to prevent weeds from damaging your property. Even if your region has been spared from what are anticipated to be the “worst cities,” many other communities can expect significant problems, emphasizing the importance of vigilance for lawn care as the weather warms across the country.
NALP points out that weeds are not just unsightly; they can indicate serious issues with your lawn. They compete for space and nutrients that grass plants would otherwise utilize, limiting the ability for grass to provide oxygen, protect waterways and remove pollutants from the air. Weeds such as crabgrass and spotted surge grow in lawns that are stressed or weakened. Lawn diseases, like dollar spot, attack grass blades and can have a detrimental effect on the health of a lawn. A properly managed lawn is the best defense for these weeds and diseases.
According to NALP, the top 10 US cities anticipated to be the worst for weeds this upcoming season are:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Orlando, Florida
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Detroit, Michigan
- Wichita, Kansas
- Seattle, Washington
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Read more about why these cities were selected and the lawn issues anticipated to impact these locations in the NALP announcement.
The authoritative national source on landscaping and lawn care topics, NALP developed its Top 10 rankings by evaluating comprehensive national data on consumer concerns about common weeds and lawn diseases between the months of April and August reported to lawn care professionals. That data was then compared to forecasting information from the National Weather Service and matched with information from NALP experts on climate conditions that impact weed growth to determine the rankings.
Many of these weeds that threaten the health of lawns are often difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat properly, notes NALP. For more information, or to find a qualified lawn care or landscape professional in your area, visit NALP’s Landscape Professional Directory Web page.
