In our previous blog post, we discussed how to identify and remove some common lawn weeds. In today’s post, we’ll continue the discussion by explaining how to identify and remove 4 more weeds that are commonly found in lawns.
Oxalis
Oxalis is also known as ‘wood sorrels’ due to its acidic taste like sorrel (Rumex acetosa). It has characteristic cup-shaped yellow flowers and clover-shaped light green leaves. It is a perennial weed that grows mostly in dry and open spots. It spreads rapidly in warmer regions. This creeper weed grows to a height of around 20 inches and spreads by its stems and seeds.
To remove oxalis from your lawn, pull out plants by hand and spot treat the afflicted area by spraying a post-emergence broadleaf herbicide. Mulch your garden properly in spring to prevent this weed from growing.
Chickweed
Chickweed or Stellaria media, is a cool season, annual weed. It generally grows in highly fertile and moist soil in shady areas. Lawns with a poor drainage system are likely to be the favourite spot for this weed to grow. This annual weed can be easily identified through its lush green mats filled with star-shaped, white flowers. It is an invader and can cover a large area soon as each plant can produce around 15,000 seeds.
The best way to eliminate chickweed from your garden area is to dig them out or crush them a bit and spray lawn fertilizer on it. If you want to prevent it from re-sprouting, then sprinkle pre-emergent herbicide on the affected area in early spring.
Hairy Bittercress
Hairy Bittercress or Cardamine hirsute, is a summer annual weed but it sometimes grows in the winter. It appears mostly where the soil is moist and grows up to a height of 12 inches. The leaflets have smooth edges and are round or oval in shape. It has small white flowers that occur in clusters. The flowers grow into elongated seed capsules which spread and germinate at a distance from the parent plant.
This annual weed is difficult to eradicate. Apply a post-emergent herbicide on heavily infested hairy bittercress in your lawn or hand-pull them if there’s only a few plants.
Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) or ground ivy, is a perennial evergreen creeper. You can distinguish it from others by its mint-like odour, purple flowers and fan-shaped leaves with toothed edges. It has square stems which spread over the ground. It is generally 4 inches tall and spreads several feet. This weed is extremely aggressive and hard to remove.
To kill ground ivy, apply post-emergent herbicide on the plant or pull them out by hand. The best time to spray herbicide is in spring and fall, but multiple applications are required. Quickly establish grass in that area to prevent the weed from re-germinating.
Identifying weeds in your lawn or yard is important to apply the best removal techniques. Maintain a healthy lawn by aerating your soil, mulching your garden area and adding compost to your soil. A healthy lawn is the best defence for these invasive weeds.