Lawn Weeds

Weed Management

Lawn Care Topics

Wildflowers

Common Lawn & Turf Weeds

Daisy Bellis perennis

Easily recognisable by gardeners and non-gardeners with its distinct yellow and white flowers. The daisy is extremely common in all types of turf, including lawns, sports pitches, golf courses, playing fields, pastures and roadside banks and verges. This perennial weed grows as a mat forming plant, that can withstand a low cutting height.

It flowers continually during the growing season, with the flowers opening in full sun and closing again in low light and darkness.If the plants are few in number hand weeding is the preferred method, as we want to keep the use of chemical weed killers down to a minimum. Daisy can be removed by hand using a small knife of daisy grubber.

Daisies are also susceptible to herbicides and are relatively easy to control, often by a single application of weed killer. Spot treatment is an ideal way of treating daisies as it keeps chemical use to a minimum. More Info…

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale

The dandelion is a very common weed, easily recognised by its bright yellow flowers. The flowers eventually turn to a seed head producing thousands of airborne seed often called ‘clocks’. This perennial weed anchors itself to the ground with a deep taproot.

Dandelions are able to establish in soil types and are common in all types of turf and in recent years there seems to a huge increase in dandelion populations.They can be removed from the turf using a small pocket knife or similar tool. However, the whole of the root has to be completely removed or the plant will regenerate.

Hand weeding will prove effective, so its best to vigilant and remove them as they appear in the lawn.A selective weed killer (herbicide) will prove quite effective against dandelions. A single application is often all that’s required to control this weed. Ideally spot treat this weed, to avoid using unnecessary amounts of chemical weed killer. More Info…

White Clover Trifolium repens

Another very common and recognisable turf weed with trifoliate leaves distinct white flowers. This short lived perennial weed reseeds itself under favourable conditions. White clover spreads aggressively by overground runners known as ‘stolons’ and can quickly colonise weak areas of turf, if no action is taken. Clovers are ‘nitrogen fixing’ plants, this means it is able to draw nitrogen from the atmosphere and store it within the roots of the plant.

White clover can be hand weeded using a small pocket knife or similar implement. It is better to remove the weeds before the infestation becomes too widespread, so be vigilant and remove them when appear. Once this weed becomes established it becomes increasingly difficult to remove by hand.

Selective herbicides can be used to control white clover. In most cases a single application should be enough to control it. Look for a weedkiller that contains mecoprop-p for the best results in controlling this weed. As with all weeds only treat the infected area to keep chemical use down to a minimum. More Info…

Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium

Lesser trefoil is sometimes referred to as yellow suckling clover and can be a major headache for gardeners. This annual weed can withstand low mowing and thrives on nutrient deficient soils. It’s very similar in appearance to black medic and is often confused with it, as both leaves and flowers are nearly identical. Lesser trefoil spreads via a single tap root and can quickly colonise a lawn if remedial action is not taken.

If possible hand weed lesser trefoil taking care to remove the whole root, before it becomes established. Raking the weed into an upright position prior to mowing will also help weaken it. Maintain good turf health with a balanced feed program to prevent this weed from invading and spreading.

Lesser trefoil is susceptible to selective herbicides, however, it may take a follow up application for satisfactory control. Choose a herbicide that contains mecoprop-p for the most effective results. As with all weeds spot treat or only treat the infected area to prevent the unnecessary use of chemicals. More Info…

Selfheal Prunella vulgaris

Selfheal is a low growing perennial weed that is frequently found on roadside verges, grassland, golf courses and garden lawns. It produces clusters of blue / purple flowers that can be seen during the summer months. As its name suggests Selfheal has various medicinal properties and is used to treat bleeding, boils and sore throats. It will grow in most types of soil, but is frequently found on dry undernourished sites.

Selfheal can be hand weeded with a small pocket knife or daisy grubber, ensuring all of the roots are removed. Close and regular mowing during the flowering period will prevent seed head formation and encouraging a dense sward will help discourage this weed from establishing.

A selective herbicide can be used to control selfheal, as it is susceptible to most products and a single application should suffice. Spot treat to keep chemical use to a minimum and always follow the manufactures application guidelines. More Info…

Cats Ear Hypochaeris radicata

Cats Ear is a perennial weed that is common on roadsides, grassy areas and managed turf. It forms as a flat, basal rosette and can withstand a typical mowing regime. If left to grow it reach over 50cm in height. The dandelion ‘like’ flowers are produced in clusters on long stalks. The leaves are hairy and have irregular lobes that resemble a ‘cats ear’. Cats ear will grow on most soil types but prefers free draining sandy soils.

This weed can be removed by hand using a small fork or daisy grubber, taking great care to remove all of the tap root, to prevent the weed re-growing. Mow on a regular basis to remove seed heads and box off the clippings.

Cats ear is susceptible to selective herbicides, but more than one application may be required for complete control. Avoid the over use of chemicals by spot treating this weed. More Info…

Yarrow Achellia millefolium

Also known as ‘milfoil’, yarrow is a drought tolerant, perennial weed often found on nutrient deficient soils. It has a deep, fibrous root system, that consists of many underground runners. This enables the weed to spread and establish itself, as it out competes the grass and develops in large drought resistant patches. Yarrow can adapt to low cutting heights, making it troublesome in garden lawns. It has fine, feathery leaves, similar to a fern. The flowers white/pink flowers are produced in dense clusters.

Yarrow can be removed by hand, taking care that all of the root is removed. Regular mowing will help prevent and remove seed head to prevent the weed spreading. Maintain good turf vigour with a balanced feed program.

A selective herbicide can be used. However, yarrow is one of the most difficult weeds to control with as it is quite resistant to chemicals. More than one application will be required ans even then success may be limited. More Info…

Slender Speedwell Veronica filiformis

Slender speedwell is a low growing, perennial weed that is able to withstand close mowing. It is very common in lawns and will survive in most types of soil and once established it can be difficult to remove. This weed can be spread by mowing if clippings are not removed, as small fragments can regenerate under the right conditions. The leaves are small and oval/round with the edges scalloped. The tiny blue flowers have 4 petals, with a single petal smaller than the others.

Remove the weed by hand when speedwell appears, with suitable tool. If speedwell is present, always box off the clippings to prevent it spreading. Rake the weed prior to mowing to lift the runners into the mower blades, thus weakening the weed.

Slender speedwell can be a difficult weed using a selective herbicide and more than one application will be required, as it can be resistant to many products. To get the best results from weed killers, treat the weeds when growth is strong, usually in May and June. More Info…

Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastium vulgatum

Mouse-ear chickweed is a short lived perennial weed that is very common fine turf that is mown very short. It prefers moist soils but will survive in hot dry conditions. It forms a dense mat in fine turf and has small, hairy leaves that resemble a mouses ear, hence the name. The flowers are very similar to those of common chickweed, they have 5 small white petals that are deeply lobed, often giving the appearance of 10 petals.

Mouse-ear chickweed is relatively simple to remove by hand, as the roots are quite shallow. Remove before the weed becomes too widespread. Encourage a tight sward with good lawn care practice to prevent weeds from establishing

This weed is very susceptible to selective weed killers and a single application should be enough for complete control. If the infestation is not severe, spot treat or only treat the infected area. More Info…

Greater Plantain Plantago major

Greater plantain is a perennial weed found on roadside verges, waste ground, sports grounds and lawns. It’s a very hardy weed, being able to withstand drought, water logging and trampling. It will grow in most conditions and is frequently found on compacted soils and can be an indicator of soil compaction. The flat broad leaves smother and kill the grass, leaving bare areas once the weed has been removed.

Hand weeding is the preferred method of removing greater plantain. A small pocket knife of daisy grubber can be used to remove this weed. Ideally remove them when they are still small, to minimise the damage to the turf.

Like all plantains, it is very susceptible to selective herbicides and a single application should be enough to control this weed. Keep chemical use to a minimum by spot treating the weed and always follow the manufacturers guidelines when applying weed killers. More Info…

Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens

Creeping buttercup is perennial weed that is common in meadows, sports fields, golf courses and lawns. It is the most common of all the buttercups and can be very troublesome in turf. This weed can be an indicator of a soil suffering from poor drainage as it thrives on wet sites and heavy clay soils. Creeping buttercup forms as a low growing rosette that can withstand close mowing. The yellow flowers appear during the summer and usually have 5 petals.

Creeping buttercup can be removed by hand, however, care must be taken to remove the roots. Regular, close mowing will prevent the weed from flowering and seed head formation. Improving the drainage and encouraging good turf vigour will help prevent establishment.

A selective weed killer can be used to control creeping buttercup. In most instances a single application should be enough, however, if it still persists a follow up application should do the trick. More Info…