The Trending Common Lawn Weeds for This Season

Common Lawn Weeds You Need to Know

Keeping your lawn neat and tidy can be a task if you have weeds in your lawn. First, you should be familiar with the common weeds in lawns and how to identify them. You can also use weed killers to keep them from growing. But if you don't want to use weed killer, you should know that you can keep your lawn clean by using certain lawn care products.

Goose Grass

Originally from Eurasia, goose grass (Eleusine indica) is a warm-season annual weed. It is native to Asia minor, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Siberia. It is also found in Europe and North Africa. It is a common wild plant that grows in woodland paths, vacant lots, and disturbed urban areas.

It is considered a problem weed in turf grasses throughout the South. It is particularly difficult to eradicate in finger millet fields. It can be controlled through proper culture.

Goose Grass produces large seeds. They are about 1/8 inch in diameter. They are covered with hooked bristles. The seeds are arranged in a herringbone pattern.

The plant can reach heights of about two meters. It grows in clay-loam, gravel, and sandy soils. It also tolerates drought and hot weather. It can be found in fields, lawns, and ornamental landscapes.

The leaves are irregularly shaped and have a coarse texture. They are arranged in whorls of six to eight leaves. The leaf blades are about eight millimeters wide. They are smooth on the upper surface, but pubescent at the base.

The leaf sheaths are white to silver in color. They are overlapping, ciliate, and glabrous. The sheaths are whitish at the base around the collar.

Common couch (Elymus repens)

Often thought of as a weed, Common couch (Elymus repens) is a common perennial grass found throughout most of Europe and Asia. It spreads asexually through rhizomes. It is often introduced into northern climates for erosion control.

It is common in rough grassland, hedgerows, and arable land. The plant grows to heights of up to 7 feet. It produces tufts of leaves and has a coarse texture. It is mainly found in light soils.

It is tolerant of tillage. However, a large proportion of its shoot biomass is lost during mowing. It also responds to decreased cutting height. It produces new shoots after a competing crop has set seed. It has an apical dormancy, allowing it to re-sprout during low temperatures.

It produces rhizomes that grow at a depth of 2.5-7.5 cm. When the rhizome is buried, new shoots will emerge shallowly.

During the early stages of emergence, new rhizomes survive plowing. However, new shoots emerge more slowly and in smaller numbers after plowing.

It is often treated with herbicides. These herbicides work by preventing the plant from coming back. However, the efficacy of different herbicides varies.

Originally brought into the United States as a forage crop, Johnsongrass has become a problem weed in the agricultural industry. Its aggressive rhizome system spreads and outcompetes other species, reducing the yield of leguminous forages and corn, soybeans, and other crops.

The species is classified as a noxious weed in more than 53 countries. Johnsongrass was first reported in Southern Ontario in 1983. It has spread to several different habitats. However, it is most commonly found in wet to mesic habitats in the southern part of the United States.

It is a perennial grass growing to a height of seven feet. It grows in disturbed areas and contaminated soil. It is also found in pastures, gardens, and other disturbed areas.

It is considered a nuisance weed in the southeast. It is listed as a Category 2 species in the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region. It is also considered a Category 1 species in the Southern Region.

The seeds of Johnsongrass are red-brown and range in size from four to twenty inches. They have a white midrib. They produce seeds annually.

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)

Among the common lawn, weeds are annual bluegrass (Poa annua). It is a cool season of grass that can be found worldwide. It has a short life cycle and grows in moist, shaded areas. Annual bluegrass grows on a variety of soils. It has a shallow root system that responds to soil compaction.

It produces white seedheads that appear in spring. It produces hundreds of seeds that can remain dormant in the soil for several years. It is most common in areas with high shade and compacted soil.

Annual bluegrass is a common weed in lawns, gardens, and roads. It spreads quickly because of its prolific seed production. It is also difficult to control. It can invade golf courses, sidewalks, wastelands, and other cultivated areas.

Annual bluegrass is commonly found in residential lawns during the spring and summer. It is also a weed of golf courses and other agronomic crops in cooler climates. It can be treated with a pre-emergent herbicide. It should be applied before the first frost.

Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis)

Whether you want to eradicate crabgrass from your lawn or keep it at bay, you need to know the difference between the various types of crabgrass. To determine which type you have, you must understand their appearance and growth habits.

The first thing you need to know about crabgrass is that it is an annual grass. It is found in Europe, Asia, and the United States. It reproduces by seed.

The seedheads are formed from clusters of finger-like awns. The seeds continue to germinate through the growing season.

Crabgrass is a warm-season, shallow-rooted annual grass. It grows rapidly and is very noticeable in lawns. It is also highly nutritious. It can be used for animal feed.

Its seeds can be ground into flour, used as couscous, and even used to make beer. Wild turkey, ground dove, and American Pipit can also eat it. The white-crowned sparrow, field sparrow, and tree sparrow also eat the seeds.

Crabgrass plants are common weeds throughout the United States. They can produce up to 700 tillers in temperate climates and even more in tropical climates. See our article on Crabgrass Preventer

Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis palustris)

Depending on the conditions of your lawn, creeping bentgrass can be a problem. This cool season turfgrass is a perennial grass that grows well in cool, humid climates. It is most common on golf greens and athletic fields but can be planted as lawn grass in some areas.

Creeping bentgrass is a perennial grass that is often used for putting greens, golf courses, athletic fields, and lawns. The genus Agrostis includes many species. These turfgrasses are often used in cool and warm climates.

Creeping bentgrass is a dense, low-growing grass that forms mats. It forms a dense mat, like annual bluegrass, rather than spreading by stolons.

Creeping bentgrass grows very fast in wet conditions. As a result, it is highly susceptible to the dollar spot disease, a fungal infection that results in silver-dollar-size dead areas. In addition to dollar spot, other common diseases in the PNW are Fusarium Patch, Take All Patch, and Gray Snow mold.

The best way to control creeping bentgrass is to spray with a herbicide that contains mesotrione. It is best to spray while the plant is actively growing. After eight weeks, the herbicide should be reapplied.

Nutsedge (Cyperus sp.)

Several varieties of nutsedge are common lawn weeds in the United States. One of the most common is yellow nutsedge. Yellow nutsedge is a perennial weed found in most lower 48 states. It is often found in moist or poorly drained soils. Its seeds look like spiked balls. They can produce hundreds of new plants in a dense patch. But, unfortunately, they can also be difficult to remove.

In the fall, they die back to the ground. In the spring, tubers emerge at the tips of the rhizomes. The tubers are oblong and are white or black. They are usually less than six inches long. The roots are edible. They are used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for tooth decay.

They are also used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat wounds. They have antibacterial properties. They are commonly used in tropical regions as a carbohydrate source. They are used as a staple in rural cultures during a famine. The rhizomes are reddish brown. They grow vertically from the soil. They produce chains of interwoven tubers. They are brittle and can break in the soil.

Carpetgrass (Axonopus sp.)

Among the many Colletotrichum species is a species with curved conidia, which is rumored to be the cause of anthracnose on carpetgrass in southern China. In addition, various other Colletotrichum species are commonly found in tropical countries. These include Colletotrichum nicholsonii, Colletotrichum jacksonii, and Colletotrichum paspali.

Historically, in southern China, including Hainan and Guangdong provinces, anthracnose disease on carpetgrass has been reported. Various studies have attempted to identify the pathogen, but none have succeeded. In this study, a new species of Colletotrichum has been discovered, specifically suited for carpetgrass.

This species is the first known species of Colletotrichum to be found in China. As a result, this species was tested for its abilities in a multi-faceted study. The novelty of this novel species is that it is specific to carpetgrass in southern China. It was also the first to be detected in a field.

A survey of five lawns in Haikou, Hainan province, was conducted. The study revealed that anthracnose disease was present on all lawns, with some exhibiting a 100% incidence. In addition, all carpetgrass plants were affected in some cases.

Best Prevention for Your Lawn

Keeping your lawn healthy and weed-free starts with good soil preparation. Proper watering and fertilization can help keep your grass strong and healthy. But weeds also take advantage of the grass's ability to get moisture and nutrients from the soil.

When your lawn is stressed, it becomes more susceptible to weed invasions. Proper watering, fertilization, and mowing practices can help keep weeds at bay.

In addition to watering and fertilizing, you can also control weeds by aerating your lawn. This process will help your grass to grow thicker, making it harder for weed seeds to grow. Mowing your lawn at a higher height also discourages weed seeds from sprouting.

Consider using a weed control product if you're experiencing a weed infestation.

These products work on both annual and perennial weeds. Select a weed control formulated to kill the specific type of weed you want to control. It's also important to read the label and follow the instructions on the package.

You can also control weeds with hand weeding. This technique is most effective when your lawn is young. If you pull weeds by hand, you can also prevent weed seeds from germinating.

Dallis Grass

Grassy weeds, like Dallis grass, can be troublesome and difficult to control. They can spread rapidly and compete with turf grass for water and nutrients. It is an invasive weed that is often found in wet areas and swamps.

Dallisgrass is a fast-growing grassy weed that grows on a variety of soil types. It is commonly found in turfgrass, but can also be found in swamps and roadsides. The weed grows quickly, and its clumps can form tripping hazards.

The dallisgrass plant has smooth, greyish-green leaves that are smooth and blade-shaped. They grow from 1 to 5 feet tall and range from 0.25 to 0.50 inches wide. The stems are thin and tend to droop when the seed heads form.

(They grow from short underground stems)

Dallisgrass seeds germinate when soil temperatures reach 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They can germinate in open spaces in turf grass and can be spread by humans.

Dallisgrass can be a problem in any type of turf grass. They are tolerant of low temperatures and are frost-resistant. They are considered a noxious weed in some areas. They are a troublesome weed in the southern United States. The infestation is usually difficult to control and will take several years to eliminate.

Dallisgrass can be controlled using the recommended herbicides. They are effective in controlling new dallisgrass plants and killing dallisgrass that has been established. Using a sprayer, mix the herbicide well. Then, apply it with a fan nozzle setting. It may be necessary to repeat applications every 2 to 4 weeks.

Conclusion:

We hope you've learned something new about these often-overlooked parts of lawn maintenance as we wrap up our look at the season's most frequent weeds. Even though weeds are generally considered a nuisance, learning how they behave and spotting them early can give you more control over your lawn's health and beauty.

Keep in mind that every season presents its own set of weed issues, and take preventative measures by learning about the most recent trends in common lawn weeds. Your goals for a healthy and beautiful lawn will determine whether you use organic approaches, herbicides, or a combination of both to address these problems.

Maintaining healthy grass and preventing unwanted growth through proactive measures will make your yard a pleasant place to spend time with family and friends all summer long.

As you head outside to tend to your lawn this season, may your efforts pay off with a beautiful, weed-free landscape you can be happy to show off to visitors. Have fun in the garden, and may your grass grow and thrive throughout the year!

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