- Improper Mowing: Mowing too low and too infrequently thins the turf, allowing weeds to get started.
- Improper Watering: Frequent watering encourages weed seed germination, disease, thatch, and a shallow-rooted turf that is less competitive with weeds for soil moisture and nutrients.
- Improper Fertilizing: Fertilizing too much, too little or at the wrong time may benefit weeds more than grass.
- Insect and Disease Injury: Weeds rapidly invade lawns that are thinned by insects and diseases.
- Compacted Soil: Soil compaction is a hidden stress on the turfgrass root system. The grass is unable to compete effectively with weeds.
- Excessive Wear: Turf areas used for recreation and sports are subjected to wear and compaction.
- Wrong Kind of Grass: The wrong kind of grass for the location will gradually decline and be invaded by weeds.
- Environmental Stress: Weeds often take over a lawn after it has been weakened and thinned from weather-related stress.
- Thatch: Excessive thatch causes shallow-rooted grass and contributes to insect and disease problems.