Spring Weeds to Be on the Look Out for

As May arrives, the days become noticeably warmer and longer. It’s a refreshing change from the long, frigid winter months. Your lawn regains much of its lush green appearance during this time. However, the spring season also brings with it weeds that were dormant during the winter months. If not checked in time, these weeds can invade your lawn and compete for essential nutrients, hindering its growth. Below are some useful tips on how to contain them.

Common Spring Weeds and How to Treat Them

Before deciding on the best steps to control weeds in your lawn, you need to identify them first. Some of the most common weeds found in Pennsylvania include: 

• Dandelions: Dandelions need moist soil and sunshine to thrive. These yellow-flowered plants are extremely hardy. Being perennial, they can grow back in the fall if not pulled out from the roots. If you want to get rid of them, you can:

• Pull them manually with your hands. Ensure that you don’t leave any roots behind or they will sprout right back. You can also use a dandelion puller to help you in this process.
• Use a post-emergent herbicide to control the weed. Always read the product label before buying it to ensure it will not damage your lawn.

• White Clover: This broadleaf weed comes in clusters of three leaves on each stem and white or purple flowers. You will see this weed thriving in soil with a low pH balance. To counter it, ensure that you get a soil test done once every 3 years and fertilize the lawn when needed. If it still appears on your lawn, pull it with all its roots or get your lawn care professional to tackle it. 

• Ground Ivy (a.k.a. Creeping Charlie): It is a low growing weed that spreads on the ground and has purple clusters of flowers. It grows roots at every stem node that touches the soil. A broadleaf weed application can help keep it under control. 

• Henbit and Deadnettle: Both these weeds are members of the mint family. They are commonly found in thinning lawn areas and can be removed with liquid broadleaf weed control. 

• Chickweed: This is a broadleaf weed and can be identified by its elongated petals and large oval leaves with pointy tips. It has shallow roots and needs continuous weeding by hand to be pulled out from its roots.  Non-selective herbicides can be used to eradicate it. However, this may cause damage to your lawn and should be done sparingly and with the help of experts only.

• Nutsedge and Crabgrass: Our experts at Greenskeeper also deal with eradicating hardy weeds like nutsedge and crabgrass. These weeds prefer a warmer climate and should be controlled as soon as possible. 

Weed Out the Weeds – the Right Way

Weeds, generally speaking, are extremely hardy and difficult to control. They spread easily and compete with your lawn for nutrients and space. They come in various forms and require different treatments to manage them.  

Greenskeeper has over 50 years of experience in lawn care management and has built a reputation for using only safe, organic, and non-restricted materials for all lawn care needs, including weed control, seeding, and core aeration. Rely on our professionals to take a closer look at your lawn and deliver the best treatment to address any issues, including weeds.

Check out our service programs or call GREENSKEEPER at 215-938-8440. You can also contact us using our online form for a free quote.