Lawn weeds identification can be a challenge even at the best of times. However, any established gardener understands the importance of knowing how to identify a weed from a healthy, productive plant.
Regardless, there aren’t always reliable guidelines for learning to identify weeds. It’s often a matter of trial, error, and memorization. People interested in learning to identify weeds often find that they have to do so by simply remembering the different types of weeds that they have previously encountered.
That’s why it’s a good idea to study the most common lawn weeds. Over time, you’ll become more comfortable identifying weeds and learning to separate the noxious and invasive plants from the ones you want to keep.
Common Lawn Weeds Identification Tips
One of the best things to keep in mind is whether or not the weeds you’re dealing with are annual or perennial.
- Annual weeds are less hassle to deal with because once they’re gone, they’re gone – as long as you manage to get rid of them before they go to seed! Annual plants grow, flourish, and die within a single year. After that, they have to be replanted. They’re also a lot easier to pull out due to having less-established root systems.
- Perennial weeds can be a bit more of a challenge. One of the reasons for this is because they have a more established root system. This makes them harder to uproot and harder to manage. On top of this, they tend to return year after year if the roots aren’t killed.
Common Perennial & Annual Weed Identification
Here are some of the most common perennial & annual weeds.
Common Annuals
- Crabgrass is a very common annual that creeps up all over your lawn. It can be a challenge to get rid of, especially since it produces seeds below the height of the average mower.
- Spotted surge is a common annual that can be easily uprooted if the soil is moist.
- Chickweed is a highly nutritious plant that spreads quickly and is often regarded as a weed. It tolerates the heat of summer quite well but does much better during cool, moist months.
Common Perennials
- Dandelions are among the most common – and frustrating – perennial weeds. Most amateur gardeners first learn about perennials through dandelions when they discover that they return, year after year, if they are not uprooted.
- White clover is another perennial creeping weed that can spread across your yard relatively quickly. Clover tends to appear most often in lawns that are lacking in nitrogen, so increasing nitrogen levels might help to get rid of white clover.
- Nettles are perennial weeds that come in a variety of forms. Stinging nettle is particularly notorious for the painful rashes that it can cause. Wear gloves when dealing with nettles!
Conclusion
Lawn weeds identification is a process that requires time and dedication. However, once you learn how to deal with these troublesome weeds, you’ll never forget. Whether perennial or annual, educating yourself on weeds will pay off for your lawn and garden!