When you discover your once-lush lawn is overrun with irksome weeds, you might not care what type of weeds they are — but you should! Identifying different types of weeds is critical to successful weed control. Different lawn weeds require different strategies because what destroys one weed type allows another to flourish.
Let’s explore the different types of weeds that invade your lawn so you can be forewarned and equipped to beat them back effectively.
Categorizing Different Types of Weeds
Understanding different types of weeds is crucial to controlling them, but there are a lot of weeds out there. Some are considered garden weeds; others are lawn weeds. Some types of weeds emerge at different times of the year. Some are annuals, growing in winter or summer, while others are perennials, meaning they come back and grow year after year. Some plague-specific climates, while others are found in nearly every garden nationwide (looking at you, dandelions!). Some lawn weeds are highly damaging, while others simply interrupt the visual appeal of a uniform lawn. In fact, some desirable turfgrasses, such as tall fescue or lawn alternatives like clover, are considered weeds when they mix with other lawn grasses.
The only thing all types of weeds have in common is that they are growing where they are not wanted — the very definition of a weed.
All types of weeds can be categorized into three groups:
- Broadleaf Weeds: Broadleaf weeds have wide leaves with a distinct central vein that branches into smaller veins. Easily distinguished from turfgrass, many have showy flowers. Many have a deep taproot that helps weeds outcompete turf for water and nutrients. Common broadleaf lawn weeds include ground ivy, oxalis, and purslane.
- Grassy Weeds: Grassy weeds have long, narrow, blade-like leaves, similar to turfgrass. This makes them harder to spot on the lawn until they are more well-established. A network of fibrous roots lets grassy weeds quickly form dense mats that crowd our turfgrass. Common varieties include crabgrass, goosegrass, and annual bluegrass.
- Sedge: Sedge weeds can be mistaken for grassy weeds in their appearance, but they thrive in wet, boggy conditions with poor drainage. Rhizomatic or tuberous roots spread out, re-spouting from any root section left behind in the soil. Persistent and difficult to control, common varieties include nutsedge, water sedge, and globe sedge.
Recognizing whether you’re dealing with a broadleaf, grassy, or sedge weed is the first step in crafting an effective weed control strategy.
What Damage Do Lawn Weeds Cause?
It’s not just that weeds are unsightly; many types of weeds can damage your lawn’s health in various ways:
- Competition for Resources: All types of weeds compete with turfgrass for vital resources such as water, nutrients, air, soil, and space. Some even root into the rhizomes of the turfgrass, directly stealing the nutrients stored in the lawn’s root system. This competition can weaken your lawn, leaving it more susceptible to other stresses.
- Harboring Pests and Diseases: Different types of weeds attract a variety of pests and diseases that can infect your lawn. For example, broadleaf weeds often host fungal spores that can spread to nearby plants.
- Impeding Growth: Dense clumps of weeds like dandelions or clover can impede the lawn’s growth by crowding out the turfgrass roots, shading the grass blades, and interfering with grass seed germination.
- Encouraging More Weeds: Once lawn weeds are established, they can spread quickly, reproducing through roots, stolons, or seeds. Some types of weeds spread both ways, including regenerating from broken root pieces left behind when the weed is pulled by hand. Some weed seeds spread far and wide, carried by the wind or wildlife.
Common Lawn Weeds to Watch Out For
Let’s take a closer look at some common garden weeds that may show up in your lawn.
Common Weed Name: Dandelion
Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale
Weed Type: Broadleaf perennial
Size: 12-24 inches tall, 6-16 inches wide
Where it Grows: In lawns and gardens throughout the U.S. in full sun to partial shade
Appearance: This common lawn weed produces a long, fleshy tap root that branches and fluffy yellow flowers that mature to form globes of parachute seeds. The leaves, stems, and tap roots exude a milky white sap when broken.
Weed Control Tips: Mulch bare soil to prevent growth. To hand-pull dandelions, wet the soil well first, then use a trowel or dandelion fork. Try to get the entire tap root. Apply selective broadleaf herbicide.
Common Weed Name: Crabgrass
Scientific Name: Digitaria spp
Weed Type: Grassy annual
Size: Up to 6 inches tall, spreading several feet wide
Where it Grows: In full sun areas anywhere in the country, especially where the soil is bare or the lawn is thin
Appearance: This type of weed has flat, light green, grass-like leaves that radiate from a central point at the ground level, resembling the legs of a crab. It forms dense mats that choke out surrounding turfgrass.
Weed Control Tips: Apply pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before the seeds germinate.
Common Weed Name: Nutsedge
Scientific Name: Cyperus spp
Weed Type: Sedge, perennial
Size: Stems can grow up to 30 inches tall
Where it Grows: Prefers moist, fertile soil but is adaptable, and grows in full sun to partial shade throughout the country, especially in warmer climates.
Appearance: Nutsedge has shiny, grass-like foliage with a distinct mid-rib that forms a “V” down the length of the leaf. Triangular or three-sided stems support several leaves coming from the center, topped by clusters of tiny flowers. Looks a bit like papyrus.
Weed Control Tips: Improve drainage to prevent boggy conditions. Apply a post-emergent herbicide designed for sedge weeds.
Common Weed Name: Thymeleaf Speedwell
Scientific Name: Veronica serpyllifolia
Weed Type: Broadleaf perennial
Size: Typically grows 2-6 inches tall
Where it Grows: Throughout the U.S. in partial shade to full sun in moist to wet soils rich in organic matter
Appearance: Forms mats of low, horizontal stems holding small, oval-shaped leaves with slightly scalloped margins
Weed Control Tips: Regular mowing prevents flowering and seed formation. For chemical control, choose a selective, post-emergent broadleaf herbicide.
How To Prevent and Control Lawn Weeds
A healthy, dense lawn is the first line of defense against all types of weeds. Tightly packed grass blades prevent weed seeds from reaching bare soil and compete with weeds for essential resources, often shading and choking out weed seedlings.
Key Lawn Maintenance Practices for Weed Prevention and Control
- Proper Mowing: Mowing “high” and following the one-third rule of mowing encourages healthy grass that reduces seed germination.
- Water Wisely: How you water your lawn is vital to its health. Provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week when there is no rainfall. Water in the early mornings, one to two times a week. Less frequent watering in greater amounts causes the water to sink in, encouraging deeper, healthier root development, making your turfgrass healthier and more robust.
- Choose the Right Fertilizer: To avoid just feeding the weeds, carefully choose the right lawn fertilizer for your turfgrass and apply it at the appropriate rate and time. A soil test can help determine what nutrients your soil needs.
- Aerate Compacted Soils: Lawn aeration breaks up compacted soils, promoting healthy root development. It improves the circulation of oxygen, water, and nutrients essential for robust roots.
- Strategic Herbicides: Integrate the use of pre-emergent and selective post-emergent herbicides throughout the growing season, following the label instructions.
- Professional Weed Control: Contact Lawn Pride® for professional weed control service to rid your lawn of all types of weeds.
Why Choose Lawn Pride for Lawn Weed Control?
At Lawn Pride, we help homeowners get the most out of their lawns. Whether it’s helping identify different types of weeds or digging in and doing the lawn care for you — we’re happy to help! Our comprehensive lawn care services ensure your lawn remains healthy and beautiful. We know you’ll love our service because the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ backs everything we do.
Are you ready to relax and enjoy a lush, healthy lawn? Request a free estimate, and let Lawn Pride do the rest.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not apply to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.