Q: I can’t get rid of dandelions in my lawn. Any suggestions on what I can do?

• Brian from Boardman

A: It is a good time of year to ask this question. Dandelions and other perennial broad-leafed weeds such as ground ivy, violets, plantains and others are often difficult to control. Some consider them unsightly, and they compete with your turf grass for space, water and nutrients.

There are different control options for these weeds based on how big the problem is and your tolerance for a less than perfect lawn.

One option is cultural. A healthy lawn can outcompete most weeds, and good lawn care practices will help get and keep your lawn in its best shape.

Part of good cultural practices is using turf grass types best suited for our area. The Ohio State University evaluations have found that a mix of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye grass and fescues is a good combination for Ohio.

It may require overseeding for a few seasons to get this mixture established.

Mowing is another key part for a healthy lawn. Mowing high to around 3 inches helps the turf grass develop strong roots and the longer grass blades shade out weeds before they get started.

And fertilizing the lawn based on a laboratory soil test report is a must.

Another option is tolerance. A picture-perfect lawn is a goal for some people, but achieving one takes time and expense. Developing a tolerance for some weeds in a lawn will save you effort and money.

Also, some perennial lawn weeds like dandelions and ground ivy provide a food source for pollinators.

To reduce the number of weeds to a level you can live with, just pull them out by hand.

If you have a lot of these weeds or just don’t like them, chemical controls (herbicides) are going to be needed. And we are approaching the best time of the year to use herbicides on broad-leafed lawn weeds.

The fall, between mid-September to early November, is the best time to control these perennial weeds with an herbicide. The weeds are actively growing and storing energy for the winter this time of year. This makes them most vulnerable to herbicides in the fall.

You can contact a professional to treat the weeds or do it yourself. If you choose to do it yourself, you need to know what type of perennial broadleaf weed(s) you have, because no single product will control every type of lawn weed.

If you have other weeds besides dandelions and don’t know what they are, you can bring a sample to the OSU Mahoning County Extension office’s clinic for ID. Once you know what they are, look for products formulated to control the type of weed you have.

And most importantly, for the best results and your protection, read and follow the directions on the product label.

For more information, visit http://go.osu.edu/toughweeds .

Sprague is an Ohio State University Extension Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.