Common Lawn Weeds and Guide to Control them

Even with the best-tended lawns, attack from weeds is a common phenomenon. The seeds of these parasitic plants flow through the air and occupy more territory, and they continue to grow even if you think you have pulled them out. Survival of your plants depends on the health of your lawn, the type of weed, and the response you choose. Spraying weed killers like Biosafe weed control concentrate is a safe and environmentally friendly way of eradicating weeds from your lawn.

To simplify your understanding of weeds and their control methods, we have compiled a list of common lawn weeds and ways to eliminate them. Choosing the right weed control requires basic knowledge of the type of weed you encounter and the stage of growth. Weed killers come in three types: pre-emergent that limits a weed before it emerges, post-emergent eradicates after emergence, and multi-purpose that can control before and after the emergence stage.

Common Weed Types

·         Dandelions

Dandelions are the most commonly found type of broadleaf weed often recognized by a burst of yellow flowers and a puffy seed head blown away by wind or footwork. This simple looking dandelion has a deep trap toot that soaks minerals, water, and nutrients from nearby plants. The deep trap root is difficult to remove by pulling or cutting, and confirming the removal of root is difficult. If the root remains, these dandelions grow back quickly, and even for a well-maintained lawn, dandelions are very competitive. Treat them in the post-emergence period with multi-purpose weed killers like Biosafe weed control to halt their progress. 

·         Plantain

Plantain is a broadleaf weed with five veins running from the base along its short and winged leaf stalk. It has dense and erected spikes present at the top. Plantain has a fibrous root system that allows surviving in low mowing heights. The seed head grows as a spike that can develop up to 6 inches in left unattended or otherwise. The seeds in one spike range in color from orange to brown and sometimes black. Plantain is easy to contain with superior herbicides like Biosafe disease control that can eradicate it from its roots and stop further spread.

·         Nutsedge

Nutsedge is a common nuisance for lawn owners that has grass-shaped leaves in cross-sections growing on hairless, triangle stems. These golden brown spiked flowers create colonies that spread mostly through underground tubes. Other forms of spread are seeds and rhizomes. These spiked weed takes up all the water and nutrients from host plants while the colonies start to spread in other plants. Controlling a nutsedge means eradicating its tubes and blocking its spread by using synthetic herbicides like Biosafe weed control concentrate in both pre and post-emergent phases.

·         Ground Ivy

Round ivy is an aggressive, low growing broadleaf weed that spreads on a yard like a carpet. It mostly favors moist areas maintained at low, shaded heights, and in some cases, it also grows under full sun. Ground ivy has a minty smell emitted when cut and has purple orchid flowers for a short time during the spring season. Ground ivy is hard to control weed if not maintained, and the best way to manage is to use Biosafe weed control herbicide for maximum maintenance.

Time Duration of Herbicides

Depending on the type of weed, the impact time of weed killers or herbicides may vary. Usually, it takes 2-4 weeks to get rid of overgrown plants under the condition applied. Apply in favorable condition for maximum efficiency and never spray during the rainy season, as it will wear off. Windy conditions are also not suitable as they may blow the product onto other chemically affected plants.