Hi! I’m John with Modern Landscape.

If you ever schedule an appointment with us, I’m usually the first guy who shows up. I’m the one walking the yard with you, taking measurements, listening to your ideas, and trying to understand the vibe you want for your outdoor space.

My brother Tom Hoff and his son Branden Hoff are the landscape designers behind Modern Landscape. They’re the ones who turn ideas into beautiful backyard spaces. But before any of that happens, I’m usually the guy standing in your yard asking questions like:

“How do you want this space to feel?”
“What do you like about the yards you’ve seen online?”

And you know what topic comes up all the time when I’m meeting homeowners around Las Vegas?

Weeds.

Lots of them.

And the funny thing is…

Even though we’re a landscaping company, my own yard isn’t immune either.

When It Rains in Las Vegas… the Weeds Show Up

A few weeks ago we got some rain here in Las Vegas.

It rained in February, which puzzled me because I had no idea what this water stuff was falling from the sky (if you’ve lived in Las Vegas for any amount of time, you know rain is in short supply)?

And whenever we get a little moisture like that, something interesting happens.

Not immediately.

But a few days later…

Weeds start popping up everywhere.

Desert soils contain thousands of dormant seeds just waiting for moisture to wake them up. Once rain hits the ground, those seeds germinate quickly and suddenly you see weeds in:

lawns
rock beds
planter areas
cracks between pavers
along concrete edges

The Southern Nevada Water Authority talks about how desert-friendly landscaping is important because our environment naturally encourages opportunistic plants once water becomes available.

So after that February rain, our backyard turned into a mini weed farm.

Which meant it was time for a family weed-pulling day.

But let me be honest.

Getting some of my kids to help pull weeds wasn’t exactly easy.

It was a little less like teamwork and a little more like pulling teeth.

Eventually everyone grabbed gloves and got to work.

Pulling weeds might not be the most exciting way to spend a weekend, but it’s part of life as a homeowner in the Mojave Desert.

The Most Common Lawn Weed I Deal With: Black Medic

If you have grass in Las Vegas, there’s a good chance you’ve seen something like this.

This little guy is called Black Medic.

It’s extremely common in Las Vegas lawns.

You can usually identify it by:

clover-like leaves
tiny yellow flowers
low spreading growth through the grass

Black medic tends to show up when soil nitrogen is low.

In simple terms…

I guess that means my lawn is basically telling me:

“Hey John… you forgot to feed me.”

When grass isn’t getting the nutrients it wants, it gets thin and weak. And when that happens, weeds are more than happy to move in and take advantage.

They’re opportunists.

Give them a little space and they throw a party.

If you’re curious, the University of California Integrated Pest Management program has a good overview explaining how Black Medic behaves in lawns .

What I Use in My Lawn: Weed and Feed

When black medic starts showing up in my lawn, I usually reach for something simple.

Weed and Feed.

It’s basically a product that:

feeds your lawn with fertilizer
targets broadleaf weeds like clover and black medic

After applying it, the weeds usually start fading out over the next couple of weeks while the lawn gets the nutrients it’s been asking for.

One small tip that helps:

It’s usually a good idea to lightly water your lawn after applying weed and feed. A little moisture helps activate the fertilizer and helps the product settle down into the grass where it can do its job.

Why I Spread Weed & Feed By Hand

Most homeowners use a broadcast spreader.

These tools work great and help distribute fertilizer evenly across the lawn.

But personally…

I actually like spreading weed and feed by hand.

Why?

Because it gives me more control.

And if I’m being honest…

I’m the kind of guy who enjoys control whenever I can actually get it.

Life doesn’t give you much of that.

But weed and feed?

That’s something I can control.

I can target the exact spots where weeds are growing and avoid spreading it where it’s not needed.

The spreader works perfectly fine too.

I just like the hands-on approach.

Sometimes the Old School Method Still Works

Pulling weeds by hand isn’t glamorous.

But it works.

And if you can pull the entire root out when the weed is small, you dramatically reduce the chances of it coming right back.

Weeds love areas like:

concrete edges
sidewalks
planter borders

These areas tend to collect dust and organic debris, which eventually becomes just enough soil for seeds to grow.

Weeds Love Paver Joints

This is another one of those places weeds seem to claim as their territory.

The small gaps between pavers collect dust, sand, and organic material over time. Eventually that becomes just enough soil for weeds to grow.

And when they wedge themselves down in there…

Pulling them out can be tricky… the kind of tricky that gets you scolding a paver while you’re trying to yank the root out as your neighbor watches and laughs at you arguing with your own driveway.

Sometimes they’re wedged in there like the last pickle in a jar that refuses to come out.

You try to pull the top part and the root just says:

“Nope. I live here now.”

This is actually one of the few places where I’ll sometimes use spot weed killer, because getting the entire root out of those tight paver joints can be nearly impossible.

Sometimes It’s Not a Weed at All

One of the funniest things we found while pulling weeds was this.

My son pulled this out of the ground while pulling weeds.

Turns out…

He found a baby palm tree.

Not a weed.

A tree.

Palm trees can pop up in random places because birds carry seeds from other yards and drop them while flying around. Well, I suppose Mother Nature has a way of blowing them into your yard, too.

She’s crafty like that.

Actually, I was laughing about this recently because I had a consultation with a homeowner who pointed at several palm trees in their yard and said:

“I got this one for free… that one for free… and that one for free.”

We joked that we should probably be thanking the birds.

Instead of throwing the little palm tree away, my son decided to try growing it.

Now we’ve got a tiny palm tree growing in a jar in the house.

Sometimes weed pulling turns into science experiments.

Weed Killer: The Good and the Bad

There are plenty of liquid weed killers available. I had this one in my shed.

They can definitely work.

But they also require some caution.

Years ago — before I knew any better — I went out into my yard on a windy day with a spray bottle and started attacking weeds like a man on a mission.

I’m not proud of it, but I was literally talking to the weeds while spraying them.

“Take that you weed!”

“I’ll teach you!”

A few days later…

I noticed some plants in other parts of the yard starting to struggle.

Turns out the wind had carried the spray farther than I realized.

And when I saw some of my healthy plants suddenly looking sick…

Yeah.

That was a major bummer.

Lesson learned.

Herbicide spray drift is real.

If you use liquid weed killer, try to apply it on calm days and spray carefully.

The EPA also provides guidance on lawn pesticide safety, including keeping pets and people off treated areas until products dry.

The Truth About Weed Barrier Fabric

Many homeowners install weed barrier fabric under rock landscaping.

In theory, it sounds like a great idea.

Block weeds from growing.

But in reality…

It doesn’t last forever.

Over time:

dust settles on top of the barrier
organic debris builds up
weeds start growing on top of it

Eventually roots push through the fabric itself.

Now instead of just weeds…

You have weeds and torn landscape fabric popping up all over your yard.

I’ve seen it a dozen times when visiting already established landscaped yards where homeowners are looking for a “refresh.”

Another downside is that weed barrier fabric can actually limit healthy plant growth, because roots have a harder time spreading naturally through the soil underneath it.

Oh and as if that wasn’t enough, there’s another issue in desert climates too…

When temperatures reach 110°+ during Las Vegas summers, weed barrier fabric can trap heat and reduce airflow in the soil, which can make conditions harder on plant roots.

I mean, would you want a limb trapped under a weed barrier during the middle of August? I certainly wouldn’t.

That’s one reason many modern desert landscapes rely more on proper soil preparation and rock coverage instead of depending entirely on fabric.

I found this article which further explains some of the downsides of landscape fabric in more detail.

Why Weeds Grow So Fast After Rain in Las Vegas

Desert weeds are built for survival.

Many seeds can sit dormant in the soil for months or even years waiting for moisture.

Once rain hits, the seeds germinate quickly and grow fast so they can produce more seeds before the soil dries out again.

That’s why after a good rain in Las Vegas you might suddenly see:

lawn weeds
weeds in rock beds
weeds along sidewalks
weeds in empty lots

It’s basically the desert’s version of springtime chaos.

The Best Long-Term Way to Reduce Weeds

You can’t eliminate weeds forever.

But you can definitely reduce them.

Here are a few things that help:

Healthy lawns
Thick grass crowds out weeds.

Proper irrigation
Overwatering can encourage weed growth.

Good ground coverage
Rock, mulch, or plant coverage reduces exposed soil.

Regular maintenance
Pulling weeds early prevents them from spreading seeds.

Landscapes designed specifically for the Las Vegas desert climate tend to have fewer weed issues long term, but nothing is perfect.

A Landscaper’s Simple Weed Routine

While I was putting this article together, I decided to do something a little old-fashioned.

I actually picked up the phone and called my brother Tom.

Not a text.

Not a quick message.

An actual phone call where you talk to the person.

Tom has been installing landscapes in Las Vegas for decades, so I figured I’d ask him what his simple advice is when it comes to weeds.

His answer was pretty straightforward.

Basically he said:

“Stay ahead of them. There’s no magic trick.”

Just a few habits that make a big difference over time…

1. Pull weeds at least once a month

If you stay on top of weeds and pull them once a month, they rarely get out of control.

And when you pull them…

Try to get the entire root.

If the root stays in the soil, the weed can grow right back like nothing happened.

2. Use a pre-emergent in winter

Another trick is using a pre-emergent weed control around late December through mid-January.

A pre-emergent works differently than weed killer.

Instead of killing weeds after they grow, it creates a barrier in the soil that stops many weed seeds from developing in the first place.

When the weed seed tries to sprout and grow upward through the soil…

The pre-emergent stops it before it ever gets established.

This can make a big difference in how many weeds show up in spring.

Don’t Want to Pull Weeds Yourself?

There’s another option, and I’m not gonna lie, I’ve looked at this option myself (teens looking to make $$).

Some homeowners hire:

neighborhood teenagers
local helpers from the Nextdoor app
maintenance companies

Plenty of people are happy to make a few extra bucks pulling weeds for an hour or two.

And honestly…

Sometimes that’s money well spent.

When Homeowners Call Us

Many homeowners reach out to us because their yard has become difficult to maintain.

Sometimes it’s:

weeds taking over lawn areas
weeds growing in rock beds
older landscapes that need redesigning

At Modern Landscape, we specialize in creating landscapes designed for the Las Vegas climate — spaces that look great but are also easier to maintain.

If you’re planning a backyard project and want help designing a landscape that works in the desert, our team would be happy to take a look at your yard and talk through some ideas.

Just fill out the form below and let us know what you’re looking to do.

FAQ: Las Vegas Weed Control

Why do weeds grow so fast after rain in Las Vegas?

Desert weed seeds can stay dormant for long periods of time. When rain arrives, the moisture triggers rapid germination and growth.

What kills weeds permanently?

Nothing eliminates weeds permanently. The goal is long-term management through healthy soil, proper irrigation, and regular maintenance.

Are weed killers dangerous for dogs?

Some herbicides can be harmful if pets come into contact with them before the product dries. Always follow label instructions and keep pets off treated areas until dry.