Daisy (Bellis
perennis)
Probably
the most common and recognisable of all lawn weeds and pretty when it's not in
your own lawn! Who hasn’t spent a summer’s afternoon making a daisy chain in
the sunshine? However, the humble daisy can ruin your grass and is able to grow
in a wide range of conditions. Flowers can appear throughout the year but are
more commonly seen between March and October. Their white petals and yellow
centres are a common sight.
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Dandelion
(Taraxcum officinale)
The
dandelion is another common weed which can happily grow in any conditions. A
single yellow flower forms on a smooth stalk and eventually turns into a
dandelion “clock” – thousands of seed heads which are easily air bourne. The
whole root needs to be removed in order to ensure no further growth.
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White Clover
(Trifolium repens)
Another
common sight (unless you are looking for the four leaved variety!), this low
growing weed has runners which stretch across the surface of the lawn and can
quickly choke the grass. Clover prefers damp, nutrient rich soil. Each plant
has the iconic three leaves and white/pink flowers appear throughout the
summer.
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Creeping
Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
As
the name suggests, this weed creeps across grass with its fibrous rooting
system. A common sight, this weed prefers wet heavy soils. The leaves have
three lobes and the golden flower appears between April and August.
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Lesser
Trefoil (Trifolium dubium)
Lesser
trefoil, which is also known as yellow suckling clover, is a common annual
weed. It does not root at intervals, instead each weed has its own stalk with
three leaflets. Flowers are yellow turning brown. Lesser trefoil is common in
dry, nutrient deficient soil.
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Cats Ear
(Hypochaeris radicata)
Cats
Ear is a dandelion type plant which is very common in the UK and particularly
annoying as it tolerates close mowing. Lance shaped leaves which are hairy and
fleshy provide a yellow flower on a single stalk. There is a deep tap root.
Prefers drier, more free draining soil but will tolerate all conditions.
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Greater Plantain
(Plantago major)
Common
in all types of lawn, the greater plantain forms a rosette which kills the
grass underneath. Its fibrous root system makes it drought tolerant. The broad
oval leaves have distinctive ribs and green grey flowers on a spike are carried
on a long stem. Greater plantain is most common on compacted soil.
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Moss
Of
all the lawn related problems, moss is argulably the most common. Every
year moss is treated only for it to return again the following year. It
is possible to change your lawn conditions to help keep moss at bay but
you may still find some will return and ongoing treatment will be
required. Conditions which cause moss include poor surface drainage,
nutrient deficiency, cutting grass too short, too much shade, drought
conditions or acidic soil. By dealing with these issues you can lessen
the likelihood of getting moss in your lawn. Moss killer should be
applied early Spring then scarified and any bald patches which are left
should be treated with grass seed.
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If
only a few weeds are present, before reaching for the chemicals, try hand
weeding by cutting out the offending weeds. If this doesn’t work or if you have too many weeds then using a spot weed
killer may be required. An application around May when the weeds are strong
should be suffice to kill them but may require a further treatment six weeks
later.
For
more information on lawn weeds or to get help tackling issues with your lawn do not hesiate to contact
us. |
