We have tips and solutions to help you eliminate weeds from growing back.
1st Step = Find the ROOT of the problem. Find where is the weed problem. Weeds tend to grown in the following areas around your home, landscape or garden:
- Mulch or Gravel Beds
- Around Edible Plants
- On Driveway, Patio or Side Walk
- In the Lawn
- Around Flowers and Shrubs
2nd Step
The correct identification of the weeds is a major step for weed management to be effective. The following are the most common weeds in South Florida Lawns.
Picture, Name and Description
Dollarweed – (Hydrocotvle)
This perennial weed is commonly found in very wet areas. Dollarweed can float in water. Plants reproduce from rhizomes, and have leaves that are on long stalks. Solid scalloped leaves are attached to the stalk on the underside and form an inverted "umbrella" shape. Clusters of white flowers form in late summer.
This perennial weed is commonly found in very wet areas. Dollarweed can float in water. Plants reproduce from rhizomes, and have leaves that are on long stalks. Solid scalloped leaves are attached to the stalk on the underside and form an inverted "umbrella" shape. Clusters of white flowers form in late summer.
Bull Thistle – (Cirsium vulgare)Bull thistle is a biennial growing into a rosette with large, fleshy, coarsely-toothed spiny leaves. The second year, a woody, flowering stalk produces a few, rose-purple blossoms. Produces less flowers than Canada Thistle but all flowers are fertile.
Goosegrass – (Eleusine indica)
Annual forming rosette of flat stems, usually silvery at center. Leaves are folded in the bud with overlapping sheaths. Membranous ligule with sparse hairs on collar. Seed head forms two to ten finger-like spikes, zipper like, much broader than crabgrass. Germinates later than crabgrass. Persists under close mowing, even on putting greens
Annual forming rosette of flat stems, usually silvery at center. Leaves are folded in the bud with overlapping sheaths. Membranous ligule with sparse hairs on collar. Seed head forms two to ten finger-like spikes, zipper like, much broader than crabgrass. Germinates later than crabgrass. Persists under close mowing, even on putting greens
Broadleaf Plantain – (Plantago rugelii)
A perennial rosette reproducing from seed. Leaves are large, rounded and deeply veined with wavy edges and purple petioles. Seed stems resemble a rat's tail and support small flowers and seeds. Long tap root, similar to Dandelion, increases plants' hardiness to stress and herbicides
A perennial rosette reproducing from seed. Leaves are large, rounded and deeply veined with wavy edges and purple petioles. Seed stems resemble a rat's tail and support small flowers and seeds. Long tap root, similar to Dandelion, increases plants' hardiness to stress and herbicides
Crabgrass – (Digitaria sp.)Several species that are true annuals. Peak germination by early summer. Yellow green leaves rolled in the bud with hairy edges, coarse textured, broad collar, membranous liguile and hairy sheath. Blade flat with sharp point. Seed head composed of three to ten finger like racemes or spikes, may appear purple to tan in color. Plant declines after seeding with shorter days. Eliminated by frost. Occurs all over the U.S.
Dandelion – (Taraxacum officnale)
Perennial with long tap root produces by seed. Stems short arising from a rosette bearing oblong, lobed, narrow leaves. Large yellow flowers mature into round puffballs full of seed distributed by wind for miles. Mostly germinates during late summer.
Perennial with long tap root produces by seed. Stems short arising from a rosette bearing oblong, lobed, narrow leaves. Large yellow flowers mature into round puffballs full of seed distributed by wind for miles. Mostly germinates during late summer.
Spurge – (Euphorbia maculate & E. supine)
A summer annual that begins germination from weed when soil temperatures reach 85° F and continues all summer long. Small, oval, opposite leaves vary from dark green to red with a brown blotch on the upper surface. Reddish low growing stems, that fan out from the tap root, form a dense mat. Milky sap is sticky. Prolific seed producer, several thousand from one plant. Plant matures in a matter of days in hot weather.
A summer annual that begins germination from weed when soil temperatures reach 85° F and continues all summer long. Small, oval, opposite leaves vary from dark green to red with a brown blotch on the upper surface. Reddish low growing stems, that fan out from the tap root, form a dense mat. Milky sap is sticky. Prolific seed producer, several thousand from one plant. Plant matures in a matter of days in hot weather.
3rd STEP
Identify your Grass. The wrong herbicide may not only do a poor job of weed control, it can also damage or kill your grass.
For Information on Different Types of Lawns visit our Blog in April 2011.
4th STEP
Weed Control
Herbicide Information for Common Weeds.
The information on Herbicides was gathered from NC State University http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/turfweedmgmt/
Their website provides treatments that match the type of grass and type of weeds. Great Site!!
Dollarweed - Is a difficult weed to control for an entire growing season. Repeat spring applications of trifloxysulfuron (Monument), metsulfuron (Manor, Blade, etc.), or imazaquin (Image) in tolerant turf, as well as two, three, and four way broadleaf herbicides offer postemergence control.
Goosegrass - Most preemergence herbicides used for crabgrass control are less effective on goosegrass. Dimension (dithiopyr) can provide good to excellent control of goosegrass. However, under hot, dry conditions, Dimension is volatile. When applying Dimension, it is critical to irrigate if no rain is expected for several days. Goosegrass may be controlled by postemergence application of an arsonate herbicide (DSMA, MSMA, CMA) mixed with metribuzin (Sencor) or diclofop (Illoxan, golf courses only) in bermudagrass. However, MSMA will be phased out in 2009. Additionally, postemergence control may be obtained with foramsulfuron (Revolver).
Once you identify the type of turf and weed, go to your local home improvement store and purchase the right product. Or CALL your local lawn care service provider.
