Weed control

Weed management is part of caring for Louisville’s public lands. The City uses an integrated approach that combines several methods to prevent and control weeds while reducing reliance on herbicides.

How we manage weeds

The City follows an Integrated Weed Management Plan (IWMP), a long-term approach to preventing and controlling weeds while supporting healthy landscapes and reducing reliance on herbicides.

Methods include:

• Prevention: Limiting the spread of weeds and weed seeds.
• Mechanical: Hand pulling, mowing, cutting, and other physical removal.
• Biological: Using approved insects or other natural controls.
• Cultural: Supporting healthy vegetation through practices such as reseeding, grazing, and irrigation.
• Chemical: Targeted herbicide use when other methods are not effective or practical.

View the Integrated Weed Management Plan 

Different land, different approaches

How these methods are used depends on the type of land. In Parks, the focus is on maintaining healthy turf and landscaped areas. On Open Space, the focus is on controlling invasive and noxious weeds while protecting native plants, wildlife habitat, and healthy ecosystems.

Learn more about weed management on Open Space >

Herbicide use on City-managed land

In 2020, the City discontinued the use of glyphosate and 2,4-D on City-maintained Parks, Open Space, and rights-of-way. Other herbicides may still be used when needed as part of integrated weed management.

This policy applies to property maintained by the City and does not apply to privately owned property or City-owned land maintained by another organization.