Common Garden and Lawn Weeds
Posted by JD Esajian // January 10, 2011
If you’re going to handle a property’s yard yourself, it is a good idea to be familiar with the types of weeds that you may encounter.
Weeds can be tricky to identify, but here are some of the more common ones you will find in your yard and garden; and the means by which you can control these pesky plants.
- Plantain – Perennial. Dig out to remove deep roots or it will resprout. It likes compacted soil so hoe the surrounding area.
- Chickweed – An annual that spreads by seeds. Easy to pull, getting all the root system. Do not hoe, since bits of plant left in the soil can resprout.
- Purslane – An annual that spreads by seeds. Pull. Do not hoe or otherwise cut out.
- Crabgrass – An annual that spreads by seeds. Pull, getting all the root system. Do not hoe since bits of root and stem can resprout.
- Spurge – An annual that spreads by seeds. Pull or hoe out. Keep the garden watered since spurge likes dry soil.
- Ground Ivy – Perennial that spreads by seeds and creeping stems. Very invasive. Easy to pull, and do not hoe since this perennial will resprout if any part is left lying on the ground.
- Clover – Perennial that spreads by seeds and thrives in low-nitrogen soil. Pull or hoe out.
- Knotweed – Annual that spreads by seeds. Pull small plants. For larger plants, hoe out the top of the plant being sure to get all of the crown. It likes compacted soil so hoe the area.
- Dandelion – Perennial. Pull before it goes to seed, taking care to get all of the deep root.