How to Get Rid of Dock Weed in Your Lawn

Dock Weed, also known simply as ‘Dock’, is a persistent and deep-rooted weed that commonly invades Australian lawns. Easily identified by its large, broad leaves with wavy or slightly curled edges, Dock Weed forms a rosette close to the ground and can grow upright stems that produce reddish-brown seed heads when mature. Its long taproot allows it to survive tough conditions, making it a particularly stubborn invader in both established lawns and garden beds.

Dock Weed is found all across Australia, particularly in temperate regions including Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and parts of southern Queensland and Western Australia.  

It thrives in poorly maintained turf where soil is compacted or nitrogen-deficient and is equally likely to invade Buffalo, Couch, Bermuda, Kikuyu and Zoysia lawns. While it can appear year-round in some regions, it is most active from late Autumn through Spring, particularly after rain.

Like all opportunistic weeds, Dock will successfully germinate in lawns where the canopy is thinning. Once it has sprouted, its broad leaves outcompete the lawn for sunlight and its deep taproot goes seeking water, allowing Dock to grow quickly.

Dock is a prolific seed producer, and they can be carried on to your lawn by wind, animals, lawn equipment or attached to clothing. The sheer volume of Dock seeds produced by a single plant underline the importance of a pre-emergent herbicide program to neutralise weed seeds before they get the chance to germinate.

Manual Removal

Managing Dock Weed requires prompt action due to its strong root system and ability to regrow if not fully removed. For small infestations, manual removal can be effective — but it’s critical to extract the entire taproot to prevent regrowth. This is best done after watering or rainfall when the soil is soft. Repeated mowing can help weaken the weed over time, especially if it’s prevented from seeding, but won’t eliminate it entirely.

Using Herbicides

For a more proactive approach, selective herbicides can be used. Commonly available herbicides containing active ingredients such as MCPA and Dicamba are effective at targeting Fumitory.

Contra M Duo is registered for the eradication of Dock Weed in turf varieties, excluding Buffalo. To ensure efficacy on the first application of any herbicide, it’s recommended to apply in conjunction with a surfactant like Wetter 600 for improved adhesion to the leaf.

When using chemical treatments, always follow manufacturer instructions when it comes to necessary protective equipment and safe re-entry times for humans and animals. Apply on a dry day with minimal wind to prevent drift onto desirable grasses.

Natural Remedies

Dock Weed can be removed from your lawn without the use of chemicals by hand-pulling the weed. Natural herbicides might show some efficacy in the short term, but are unlikely to be an effective or long-lasting solution when it comes to dealing with Dock Weed.

To prevent Dock Weed from returning, applying a high-quality pre-emergent herbicide is a proactive solution. Pre-emergents work by creating a barrier in the soil that inhibits seed germination, effectively stopping weeds before they establish.

A good pre-emergent herbicide, such as those containing Prodiamine (such as Spartan in liquid form, or Onset GR in granular form) or Oxadiazon (like Echelon Duo or Oxafert), offers up to six months of protection against a broad range of invasive weeds.

This long-term approach not only reduces the need for repeated manual or chemical interventions but also contributes to a healthier, more resilient lawn with less pressure from invasive weeds.

Whether you’re looking for a quality pre-emergent to minimise the risk of Dock Weed invading your much-loved lawn, or you need a post-emergent herbicide to control a Dock Weed outbreak, you’ll find all the supplements and chemicals you need to keep your grass in top shape at the myhomeTURF Online Shop; home to hundreds of market-leading products that ship Australia-wide.