Weed and Weedy Grass Identifier:

Broadleaf Weeds:

Broadleaf weeds are a common problem in all lawns and are much easier to control through the use of selective herbicides and pre-emergents. 

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There are 2 forms of broadleaf weeds, perennial and annual.
     Annuals—Spurge, Buckhorn Plantain, Black Medic.
     Perennials—Clover, Oxalis, Dandalion, Plantain.
 

A healthy dense lawn will help to deter broadleaf weeds.

Spotted Spurge

Clover

Dandelion

Oxalis

Plantain and Buckhorn Plantain

Crabgrass​

• Two applications of pre-emergent should be applied in in the spring to help prevent seeds from germinating.
• Keeping lawn healthy and dense will help minimize the amount of seed population.
• The growth cycle for crabgrass is late spring through summer months.
• Crabgrass will die off as soil temperatures drop below 58 degrees, usually around September and October.
• Crabgrass grows in circular clumps normally starting along edges of driveway, walkways or in thin and weak areas of your lawn.
• There are many methods of eliminating crabgrass throughout the active growing season, but the best control is preventing the crabgrass before it becomes a problem.
• Crabgrass grows in clumps very similar to Dallasgrass but on a smaller scale. Circles of Crabgrass range from 3”-8” in diameter.
• Crabgrass normally grows in flat clumps.

Weedy Grasses:

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​Nutsedge

• Nutsedge is a waxy-leaved grass-like plant that grows twice as fast as your desirable turf. If allowed to grow tall enough a seed stalk will appear.
• Yellow and Purple Sedge are two common weeds that infest lawns in the summer months.
• Yellow and Purple Sedge are widespread perennial weeds that flourish in moist, fertile soil from May through September.
• These weeds reproduce from seeds and also have food-storing tubers from which new plants can sprout.
• A selective herbicide can be applied to control and prevent new growth.  Broadleaf weed control does not treat or prevent nutsedge growth.
• Usually multiple applications are necessary through the active growing season to minimize and control the presence of these weeds.

​Dallisgrass

• Unlike Crabgrass, Dallisgrass is much harder to control and does go dormant in winter months.
• Dallisgrass cannot be controlled through the use of pre-emergents such as broadleaf weed control.
• Selective herbicides may be used to control and suppress the growth of Dallisgrass.
• By far, the root structure of Dallisgrass is more aggressive and deeper than that of Crabgrass.
• Non-selective herbicides may be used to kill active Dallisgrass and lawn will need to be replaced in these sections.
• Dallisgrass grows in circular patterns very similar to Crabgrass. The older the Dallisgrass plant is the larger the pattern. A Dallisgrass plant can grow up to 2 feet in diameter and have seed stalks up to 2-3 feet tall.

Common Lawn Problems:

Patches of dead or dying grass are a sure sign of lawn trouble, but isolating the cause of the problem is not always a simple matter.  Insect and disease damage can be linked together and are sometimes mistaken for each other.

Insects:

Grub  worm

Grub  worm

Grub  damage

Sod web worm

Sod web worm damage

Grubs and Sod webworms are common pests that cause damage to your turf.

•  Grubs—Lawn will appear to be dry and the turf will peal back like carpet. Grubs feed on the root system of the grass. 

•  Sod Webworm-- Webworm damage starts as small yellow or brown patches in the leaf blades in lawn areas. As the caterpillars feed and grow, the patches gradually increase in size

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Disease:

Brown Patch

Leaf Spot

Brown Patch

Leaf Spot

Red Thread

Dollar Spot

Mildew

Dollar Spot

Mildew

Red Thread

There are multiple strains and types of diseases that cause damage to grasses. The most common are: Brown Patch, Red Thread, Leaf Spot, Dollar Spot and Mildew.

• Most fungi types are caused by over watering and high humidity in the late spring months and early summer, or dense fog in winter.
• Early detection of these diseases is vital in curing the lawn of infestation.
• Keeping the lawn healthy and vigorously growing will help to maintain a green and dense lawn.
• Good cultural practices such as mowing and irrigation help to deter these common diseases.