There are many types of lawn weeds we see grow in our lawns. The biggest challenge is identifying them and knowing their characteristics. But no worries! You are in the right place now. In this discussion, you will learn about types of weeds, their characteristics, and other essential facts about them.
Why is weed bad for your lawn?
Weed can cause so much damage to your lawn. Once it invades the lawn, it can consume most of the fertilizer, nutrition, water and grow aggressively. This will prevail over the grass you have cultivated in your lawn and ruin the beauty of your lawn. Besides, there are many types of weeds that can cause allergies skin diseases to your pets. Moreover, some weeds are responsible for growing different insects in your lawn, causing problems to your grass and other plants. Weeds also take over the space of your lawn and make it look terrific. These are the issues why weed is considered to be harmful to a lawn.
A List of 10 Common Types of Lawn Weeds
Dandelion
This type of lawn weed is very common to see on your lawn or garden. Dandelions have this big single yellow flower on top of their head, making them easier to recognize. Their leaves are slender and smooth, with teeth pointing downward. You can see dandelions in your garden from May to October, and their flowers mainly bloom between March and the autumn months. Dandelions will grow if the soil temperature hits 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and they will germinate more rapidly when the soil temperature is closer to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. They are adamant about getting rid of it because of its deep root in the ground. Even if your dig up and remove them, they’ll grow from taproot remains underground. However, if you hand pull them during early spring or all, there’s less chance that they might rise again. You can also vinegar by sprayer and pouring hot water or salt to remove them permanently. But the later methods can damage your cultivated grasses too.
Chickweed
Chickweed is something you see each year both in open spaces and cultivated places. They have A strong cluster of prostrate stems to 35cm tall grow from a core mass of shallow fibrous roots, and the leaves have a roughly egg-shaped form and a pointed apex. They mainly grow during late summer. Chickweed may be difficult to eradicate when growing in high-producing grasslands, particularly in cold or gloomy environments. Interestingly, chickweed is used to reduce inflammation and kill pathogens. But it can create a disturbing look to your lawn. So, here’s how you can control them. Ensuring proper drainage can reduce the growth of this weed. You can also use weedkillers and plant herbicides like wed-b-gone to remove them from your garden or lawn.
Crabgrass
Crabgrass is a common type of lawn grass that we consider a weed. They can include both annual and perennial types of grass. Crabgrass is a type of weed that can grow anywhere there’s space, air, and a bare amount of water. When crabgrass initially emerges, it resembles a little corn plant. The leaf blades are roughly the thickness of a pencil. The stems, or branches, tend to fall down after they become bigger and begin to extend out and look like a star. They grow in most of the lawn as they can avoid the mower because of their small size. This weed mainly grows in hot, dry conditions. During summer, they can grow exponentially and cause harm to your planted grass by reducing space and nutrition. However, they die as soon as they are attacked by frost. Due to its ugliness, you might want to minimize them in your place. You can prevent them by using the hand pulling method before summer and using chemicals. Minimizing the mower’s height and use of organic fertilizer can also be helpful.
Ragweed
Ragweed is a widely known species of grass that can grow in your lawn and garden. There are mainly two types of ragweed; Common ragweed and giant ragweed. It is an upward-rising weed with leaves that are fluffy and green in appearance, somewhat resembling ferns. The leaves are also a little bit hairy. You can see them peaking in august to mid-September. Ragweed can grow in highly fertile lands. Their seeds can spread by birds, air, and many other ways. But no one wants this weed on their property because it is known as the prince of allergies. Ragweed pollen is the main reason for hay fever. Even if you or your pets touch this, you will be affected easily and quickly. Although this weed dies at the season’s end, you should get rid of them before it even germinates. Since they are long in height, regularly using your mower can remove them. Besides, regular watering and putting fertilizer can also help your grass prevail over such plants.
Quack Grass
Quack grass is a rapidly growing cool-seasoned perennial weed. They are also known as couch grass to many people. Quack grass has a similar appearance to crabgrass, but it can be distinguished by its long tapering blades that are thicker than the usual blade of grass. They appear during the seasons’ spring and fall. It can grow in your lawn if you don’t mow regularly. Although this plant may be utilized for pasture and hay production, they grow rapidly and make your lawn ugly. It has allelopathic toxins, which makes it very competitive with other grasses. However, you can control them by regularly mowing the place. Spraying vinegar and planting non-selective herbicides will help to control them.
Nutsedge
Nutsedge is big trouble for your lawn. This weed is typically seen during summer. Usually, they are taller than the grass we cultivate on the lawn. They have three and one flowers, making it easier to distinguish them from the grasses. Nutsedge can grow if your lawn has a poor drainage system and most of them remain wet. They can spread quickly and take over your turf, making it look ugly. They are really hard to control since they can rapidly re-grow using the taproot. You can control them by using vinegar and post-emergent herbicides.
Black medic
Black medic is the type of lawn weed that can grow in any kind of soil, making it common in lawns. At the early stage, this species grows with three leaves. Once they get mature, their leaves become teardrop-shaped, and they grow yellow flowers. They usually peak during March or April. It grows due to the low amount of nitrogen in your lawn soils. Although this weed is used as an herb, it has some drawbacks. This weed can be harmful if your livestock or animals consume them. But there are some controlling methods. You should handpick them when the lawn soil is wet. Besides, frequent mowing supplementing enough nitrogen to your grass can control them too.
Bindweed
This is the type of lawn weed that is really difficult to control. Bindweed, also known as morning glory, blooms trumpet-shaped flowers, and their stem is somewhat twisted. They have a specialty of hiding themselves until they bloom flowers. This hardy perennial weed usually grows from June to August. This weed is extremely dangerous for your lawn as they grow powerfully and kill the young plants by consuming all the nutrients. But You cannot control bindweed by hand pulling method. Hoeing would be the best option to implement in this case. But if you want an organic solution, you can provide that place proper exposure to sunlight.
Pigweed
Pigweed is a pretty common name in the lawn weed category. Typically, pigweed is tall, has diamond-shaped leaves, and is almost bushy. They mainly emerge during the summer season, and they can survive in extremely hot weather. Pigweeds mainly grow in lawns because of inadequate fertility and moisture. It is a toxic plant that can cause different problems to cattle and your pets. You can control pigweed by hand pulling them once they are young. If the plant can develop its taproot, it becomes hard to eradicate. Glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate herbicides can also be used to remove them.
Moss
Moss is a pretty annoying species of weed that can grow in your lawn. This species doesn’t have a typical root structure. They are green, and they look attached to the soil. They grow mainly in the autumn and winter season. Moss is a kind of opportunist plant that grows where the turf grasses are not strong-rooted. Improper drainage and low fertility also cause this weed. Although moss does not kill your grass or create any harm, it can ruin the beauty of your lawn. To eradicate moss from your lawn, you can spray baking soda mixed with warm water into them.
What time of year to weed and feed the lawn?
Weed and feed mean providing necessary chemicals and fertilizers to your lawn to empower the grass and remove weeds. So, you might be wondering when to do this. Actually, it varies from place to place as the need for a lawn depends on its soil, shade, fertility rate, etc. In general, you can weed and feed the lawn in the period between the end of March and April.
How often weed and feed a lawn?
Basically, it’s okay if you just weed and feed your lawn once a year. But the ideal frequency is twice a year. But it can be increased if you fail to remove the weed easily. But in that case, your grass will also be harmed by the used chemicals.
Which Tools to Use for Lawn Grass Maintenance?
Several maintenance tools became popular in the last decades. Among them, a lawn mower comes first as its easy to use and less time consuming. However, the price is high and not feasible for small lawn owners. The other alternatives are trimmers, edging shears, and edger.
Conclusion
There are numerous types of known and unknown lawn weeds that can invade your turf. These are harmful to many plants including the lawn trees. But I tried to mention the most common and harmful ones. Even if your lawn is not affected by these weeds yet, be watchful and frequently check to keep your lawn beautiful and the grass healthy. Hope the discussion will help you with this purpose.