It has been mentioned that a weed is merely a plant growing in an unwanted location. Certain ones can be so assertive they become invasive While some may possess beneficial attributes worth considering prior to initiating eradication attempts, let’s focus our attention particularly on you, white clover.
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Which Types of Weed killers should be Used?
The best way to get rid of weeds Once they start growing, you just end up pulling them out. You can do this with your hands or, even better, use specialized tools. tools for pulling weeds This helps you reach the base of the plants and saves some strain on your back and knees. Here are some plants that kill weeds .
You'll see that numerous weeds on this list can be managed using a broadleaf herbicide If you decide to take that path, we suggest organic weed killers those are safe for your family and pets, along with the water and land surrounding your home.
Read on for all you need to identify the most common yard and garden weeds , plus tips for treatment.
Annual Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)
Spot It: Throughout the U.S. and southern Canada.
ID It: Upright plants with smooth, thick stems and bluish green, deeply lobed leaves; yellow dandelion-type flowers that mature into white puffs of seeds.
What to Know: The small brown seeds are carried on white puffs through air and water, much like dandelion. Unopened flowers have a telltale funnel shape.
How to Get Rid of Annual Sow Thistle: At the juvenile stage, remove it manually before it produces seeds or use a post-emergent herbicide for treatment.
Black Medic (Medicago lupulina)
Spot It: Originated from Europe; widely spread across the U.S. and some regions in Canada.
ID It: Dense patches of prostrate, somewhat fuzzy stems with trifoliate leaves akin to those of clovers; tiny yellow blooms appear in spring, succeeded by curved black seeds resembling kidneys.
What to Know: A sign of poor, nitrogen-deficient soil, which makes sense because like peas, black medic can fix its own nitrogen. Also called Yellow Trefoil, Nonesuch and Hop Clover.
How to Eliminate Black Medick Broadleaf herbicide or hand-pull.
Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)
Spot It: Throughout the U.S. and southern Canada.
ID It: Rosettes of large leaves, topped by seed stalks in summer.
What to Know: A sign of poor soil, a thick, lush lawn is the best defense against this perennial weed. Regular lawn aeration Additionally, this is beneficial since broadleaf plantain thrives in compacted soils.
Ways to Eliminate Broadleaf Plantain: Apply broadleaf herbicide during spring or autumn; alternatively, remove them manually. dandelion fork .
Burdock (Arctium spp.)
Spot It: Across much of the contiguous United States (excluding Florida) and southern Canada.
ID It: Large, fuzzy leaves create a rosette shape; delicate lavender-pink blooms develop into prickly burs that attach to anything nearby.
What to Know: With its large leaves, burdock looks a bit like rhubarb. Its roots are sometimes made into a tea or eaten as you would a parsnip.
How to Get Rid of Burdock: Hand dig; the roots are easy to pull.
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Spot It: Native to Europe; now commonly found across much of the United States and parts of Canada.
ID It: Tall upright plant reaching heights of two to three feet; features leaves with jagged edges shaped like lances; displays purple, pink, or occasionally white blooms during midsummer, succeeded by soft, feathery seed heads.
What to Know: This invasive plant spreads via both seeds and an expanding root network. Interestingly, despite its title, it originates from Europe and was introduced to North America during the 17th century.
Ways to Eliminate Canada Thistle Broadleaf herbicide and regular mowing to prevent seed formation.
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Spot It: Across the U.S. and Canada.
ID It: Slender, meaty, hairy foliage; tiny white blooms in late spring and early summertime.
What to Know: Often found growing in fertile soils , this annual prefers moist, shady areas. Chickweed grows close to the ground and so withstands mowing.
How to Get Rid of Chickweed: Broadleaf herbicide; hand pulling only works if you get all the roots.
Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)
Spot It: European native now found throughout North America.
ID It: The leaves vary but are typically deeply cut with jagged edges; they grow in bunches along singular stalks bearing small golden blooms, succeeded by fluffy white seed heads.
What to Know: A plant that grows either every year or every two years, sometimes referred to as "old-man-in-the-spring." This plant serves as a host for a fungus that leads to black spot. root rot disease In several food items, such as peas and carrots. Harmful to both humans and animals.
How to Eliminate Common Groundsel: Remove young plants or manually pull out this invasive species before it produces seeds, or apply a broadleaf herbicide instead.
Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)
Spot It: Throughout North America.
ID It: Dark green, crinkled round to kidney shaped leaves with serrated edges; white to whitish-lavender flowers in late spring into summer.
What to Know: Common Mallow can be an annual or biennial, depending on where it's growing. Don't confuse Common Mallow with an ornamental species of Mallow, an attractive short-lived perennial.
How to Get Rid of Common Mallow: Use a hoe or remove manually when young.
Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)
Spot It: Across the U.S., particularly east of the Rocky Mountains, and in southern Canada.
ID It: Large clusters of flat, grass-like leaves radiating outward like spiders; tall seed heads emerging from the center of the plants.
What to Know: Often first to colonize sparse lawns; generates seeds throughout summer until dying off in autumn. These seeds germinate the next spring.
Ways to Eliminate Crabgrass : A pre-emergent crabgrass preventer applied in late winter or early spring can eliminate seeds, whereas a post-emergent crabgrass killer targets fully grown plants and might necessitate multiple applications. Manual removal is another option as well.
Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)
Spot It: Throughout the U.S. and Canada.
ID It: Shiny, bright green, lance-shaped leaves with wavy edges, tinged reddish-purple in summer; small greenish flowers on tall stems.
What to Know: Curly dock seed can remain viable in the soil for 80 years. There's plenty to go around, too — each curly dock plant produces hundreds, or even thousands of seeds.
How to Get Rid of Curly Dock: A broadleaf herbicide. If even tiny pieces of its lengthy taproot survive, they can regrow, which means pulling it by hand typically isn’t effective unless done repeatedly over time.
Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.)
Spot It: Dandelions grow across the U.S. and Canada.
ID It: Easily recognizable among weeds, this plant features lance-shaped leaves with jagged edges and vivid yellow blooms that later transform into fluffy, white seed heads resembling powder puffs.
What to Know: Initially brought in as an ornamental plant, its tender new foliage lends nutritional value and a slightly bitter edge to salad mixes. Additionally, the roots are utilized to create a cleansing herbal infusion.
Ways to Eliminate Dandelions Broadleaf weed killer or extraction using a dandelion fork.
Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Spot It: Across much of the United States and southern Canada.
ID It: Elongated, winding stems featuring heart-shaped leaves along with tubular blossoms, typically appearing in shades of white or pink.
What to Know: A relative of the more ornamental morning glory vine, field bindweed It is frequently observed growing in fields and attaching itself to fences, potentially sickening horses that feed on it.
Ways to Eliminate Field Bindweed: A broadleaf herbicide should be used since the roots run deep, and even when pulled by hand, these fragments can regrow.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Spot It: The eastern portion of the U.S. along with sections of Canada.
ID It: Lavender blooms rise above bright green, kidney-shaped foliage during spring and summer.
What to Know: Also known as Creeping Charlie . A robust and versatile perennial groundcover for preventing erosion, but as a member of the aggressive mint family, far too easily infiltrates home landscapes.
How to Get Rid of Ground Ivy: A broadleaf herbicide; pulling by hand may seem effective initially but can backfire as even the tiniest fragment of root stem remaining underground will regenerate.
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica or Polygonum cuspidatum)
Spot It: Originated from Asia; now present throughout most of the U.S. and southern Canada.
ID It: A plant characterized by an erect, bushy form with sleek, hollow stalks and bulbous swellings at the point where leaves join the stem; clusters of tiny greenish-white blooms appear during late summertime.
What to Know: So pervasive it can overshadow native plants And push its way through concrete. Its extract serves as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Ways to Eliminate Japanese Knotweed Glyphosate; multiple treatments might be required.
Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album)
Spot It: Across most of the United States and a significant part of Canada.
ID It: The leaves have a diamond shape and are light green on the upper side, with a white underside.
What to Know: Even though it is regarded as a weed, lamb's quarters can be eaten and is occasionally prepared or included uncooked in salads.
How to Eliminate Lambsquarters Can be easily removed manually when still immature.
Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)
Spot It: Nutsedge grows across the contiguous United States and southern Canada.
ID It: Grasslike stems either triangular or V-shaped, creating a creased appearance; yellow nutsedge has light green leaves and yellowish brown seedheads; purple nutsedge has darker green leaves and purple to reddish brown seedheads.
What to Know: A plant commonly seen in wetter environments, indicating poor drainage It is also known as nutgrass due to its grass-like appearance.
Ways to Eliminate Nutsedge: A herbicide for nutsedge; small areas can be manually extracted along with all tubers.
Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)
Spot It: Across North America, especially in the Southwest region.
ID It: Leafy greens attached to a rigid, usually branchless stem two to five feet tall; small green flowers in spikes.
What to Know: Usually grows in disturbed soil, but it can also be a sign of high fertility. Each plant can produce up to 100,000 seeds. High in protein, according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Leaves are highly nutritious, too.
How to Get Rid of Pigweed: Hand-pull or hoe when young, before it flowers or sets seed.
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
Spot It: East of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S., this plant has a close relative known as poison oak, which is more prevalent in western regions.
ID It: Vines with a rope-like appearance and their accompanying leaves develop in groups of three, gradually becoming darker and larger as the season progresses.
What to Know: The entire plant contains urushiol, which triggers an irritating skin reaction in many individuals but not everyone. The roots extend widely, with new plants potentially forming up to 10 feet away from the original one.
Ways to Eliminate Poison Ivy A systemic herbicide or manual removal (while safeguarding against the rash-inducing oil) might be necessary, though it could necessitate multiple attempts.
Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia maculata)
Spot It: Along the Pacific Coast and across the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., as well as portions of Canada.
ID It: Rosettes of small, oblong leaves, green with a purple tint, radiate from the center.
What to Know: Prostrate spurge is a mat-forming annual often winding through poorly maintained lawns or arising from in the cracks of sidewalks and pavement. Close relative to Spotted Spurge; both broadleaf annuals are treated the same.
How to Eliminate Prostate Spurge: In spring, apply crabgrass preventer, then spot-treat with a broadleaf herbicide as needed. Pull them out manually using a dandelion fork or eliminate them by hoeing. Alternatively, pour boiling water over them if they appear along sidewalks and driveways.
Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)
Spot It: Across much of the United States and portions of Canada.
ID It: Spreading growth characterized by fuzzy, light-green foliage split into five or seven leaflets per side; bright yellow blooms appear in the latter part of summer, succeeded by spiky seed pods.
What to Know: Sharp burrs latch onto footwear, clothing, and animals, potentially lacerating paws and piercing bicycle tires, which is why it's commonly known as such. It also goes by the name Devil’s Vine. Some parts of this plant have served medicinal purposes or been transformed into athletic enhancers.
How to Eliminate Puncturevine: Broadleaf herbicide or pull it up by the roots.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
Spot It: Throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada.
ID It: Small rubbery leaves on low-growing, sprawling stems; tiny yellow flowers and cup-shaped seedpods.
What to Know: A weed of summer, appears in hot, dry weather and spreads wherever stems touch bare soil. It can even root from plants you've pulled out of the ground and thrown on the compost pile .
Ways to Eliminate Purslane Broadleaf herbicide or hand-pull.
Quackgrass (Elymus repens)
Spot It: Across the U.S., excluding the Deep South.
ID It: Rough-textured grass leaves on top; slim flowering clusters resemble those of wheat.
What to Know: Commonly referred to as witch grass, couch grass, and quick grass due to its rapid spread, quackgrass proliferates through both seeds and underground stems. If left uncontrolled, it can create thick clusters.
How to Get Rid of Quackgrass: To kill quackgrass , spot treat with grass killer or smother with dark plastic. Roots can grow up to five feet, so hand-pulling is difficult.
Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.)
Spot It: Throughout the U.S. and Canada.
ID It: Common Ragweed (A. artemisiifolia) grows one to three feet and has fernlike leaves; Giant Ragweed (A. trifida) can grow up to 12 feet and features big leaves with three to five sections.
What to Know: A single ragweed plant has the ability to release up to a billion pollen grains. This makes it a primary cause of discomfort during allergy season, leading to symptoms like stuffiness, sneezes, and irritated eyes.
Ways to Eliminate Ragweed A broadleaf herbicide treatment or manually removing them by digging before they produce seeds.
Rough Cinquefoil (Potentilla norvegica)
Spot It: A significant portion of the area east of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S., along with southern Canada.
ID It: Serrated five-lobe leaves on wiry stems; small yellow flowers in late spring and early summer.
What to Know: The weedy cousin to the cultivated potentilla, this sprawling perennial thrives in thin, nutrient-deficient soils. It often grows as a shorter understory plant among taller companions in a prairie setting.
How to Get Rid of Rough Cinquefoil: Use a broadleaf herbicide for spot treatment or remove them manually when they are young.
Sandbur (Cenchrus spp.)
Spot It: Various species common across distinct regions of the U.S.
ID It: Pale green, grass-like vegetation featuring prickly burrs that change to brown when the seeds mature.
What to Know: The spiky burrs of this yearly plant can cause discomfort if stepped upon—and become quite difficult to remove once they latch onto fabric. While these plants typically thrive in bright, sandy locations, they also manage to grow in various environments. Therefore, the most effective protection is a lush lawn .
Ways to Eliminate Sandburs Cut grass frequently to prevent seed formation; apply pre-emergent herbicides to stop seeds from germinating; use specific crabgrass treatment for mature plants.
Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
Spot It: Across the United States and into southern Canada.
ID It: A cluster of leaves forming a rosette, featuring arrowshaft leaves measuring one to three inches long; adorned with flower spikes in shades of red or yellow.
What to Know: Also known as Red Sorrel or Field Sorrel, it's a perennial with edible foliage sometimes added to salads. However, the greens have a high amount of oxalic acid, which can be toxic to kidneys if consumed in large quantities.
Ways to Eliminate Sheep Sorrel Manually remove using your hand or apply a broadleaf herbicide directly onto the plants.
Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
Spot It: Throughout North America.
ID It: The plant features arrowhead-shaped, serrated foliage along with small clusters of white flowers rising on 18-inch stalks, eventually producing seeds contained within triangular seedpods.
What to Know: Known for the shape of its seedpods, which supposedly resembles the leather pouches that shepherds used during medieval times. Various parts of this plant have been utilized to create medications aimed at treating nosebleeds and excessively heavy menstruation.
Ways to Eliminate Shepherd's Purse Broadleaf herbicide or hand-pull.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Spot It: Throughout the continental U.S. and southern Canada.
ID It: Serrated green leaves on erect green stems that grow up to four feet tall.
What to Know: Named for the tiny daggers felt if you try to grasp the leaves. Said to have many medicinal uses dating to ancient Greece, when it was used as a diuretic and laxative.
How to Get Rid of Stinging Nettle: A systemic herbicide should be used since hand-pulling isn't feasible due to the plant's stinging spines.
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
Spot It: Native to Europe; now widespread across North America.
ID It: Emerald green leaves with three petals each and tiny white flower clusters.
What to Know: Initially embraced in American gardens, it later became less popular for some time, but clover lawns Are experiencing a resurgence today as an eco-friendly option that is both sustainable and low-maintenance. It produces its own nutrients by transforming atmospheric nitrogen and serves as a crucial nectar supplier for honeybees. Additionally, white clover can divert rabbits away from your garden, since they favor eating this plant over others.
Ways to Eliminate White Clover Broadleaf herbicide.
Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta)
Spot It: Across the U.S., particularly near the coastlines and in southern Canada.
ID It: Three light green, heart-like leaves akin to clovers; tiny golden-yellow blooms, succeeded by long seed pods.
What to Know: Invades thin patches of lawn , maintain a dense and vibrant lawn. This condition typically occurs in arid, exposed areas. Its leafy relative with burgundy hues, Oxalis triangularis, is a popular houseplant .
How to Eliminate Yellow Wood Sorrell: A weed killer for broad-leaved plants; might necessitate multiple applications.
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