How to Identify Common Lawn Weeds For a Healthy Yard

Seeing greenery grow in your yard can bring so much joy, until it’s suddenly a species growing where you don’t want it to. Numerous lawn weeds would compete with your usual plants and ruin the aesthetics of your space. Learn how you can identify these invasive plants and take them out of the equation. 

Spotting Your Common Lawn Weeds

One of the most common ways to separate a lawn weed from your usual plant is by leaf shape and structure. Certain types, such as grassy weeds, will usually have tall and narrow leaves that overtake your plant beds. Meanwhile, broadleaf weeds will have some clusters of flowers. These will typically have a color that may stand out from what you have. 

Another telltale sign of common lawn weeds is their growth patterns and needs. This persistent vegetation will grow and spread in the most unlikely places. It will fight your plants for nutrients, leaving what you actually wanted to grow and thrive dead. 

You can also tell that you’re dealing with common lawn weeds by their root systems. These types of plants are significantly more stubborn, spreading through the underground to steal as many nutrients as possible. 

Most Common Lawn Weeds

Unwanted vegetation can come in all shapes and sizes. Here are photos and information on some of the most common lawn weeds that you might find in your backyard. 

1. Dandelion

Source: University of Nevada, Reno Extension

• Key facts: Whether dandelions are bad weeds or not is a point of contention. However, one key fact about them is that they contribute to a variety of medicinal products. Dandelion greens, in particular, are quite rich in Vitamin A, B6, and more. 

• How to control: The flowers themselves can create puffballs that would continue to spread the seeds. Practice cutting off the head early on to prevent further weeds from growing. 

2. White Clover

Source: Unsplash

• Key facts: The white clover is known as a symbol of luck. It has one of the longest stems among different lawn weeds, which can help it stand out. And while it is a weed, some prefer to keep it since it can attract pollinators and improve soil health. 

• How to control: Clover can throw off the look of your yard, which can prompt some garden owners to remove it. Natural herbicides and weed killers typically do the trick. 

3. Crabgrass

Source: Real Simple

• Key facts: Crabgrass got its name for its hairy stem that tends to mimic the look of a crab. The leaves tend to get quite long, which creates a tripping hazard. It also sucks away nutrients from healthy grass. 

• How to control: Dealing with crabgrass is one of the rare situations where it’s encouraged to overseed your garden. Plant fresh grass to create less room for crabgrass to grow.

4. Quackgrass

Source: Purdue Turf – Purdue University

• Key facts: Quackgrass thrives the most in cool seasons. It can be a pretty problematic weed to deal with since it releases chemicals geared to inhibit your garden plants’ growth. They also spread rather early. 

• How to control: Quackgrass tends to grow in clusters, so you can practice spot-treating with a natural herbicide. It’s best to tackle these weeds while they’re still young, so try to spot them early. 

5. Nutsedge

Source: K-State Research and Extension News

• Key facts: Nutsedge is a weed with triangular stems. While small, it tends to reproduce and spread rapidly. It can also tolerate rain or shine relatively well. 

• How to control: Due to its fast growth rate, it can take longer periods of handpulling to completely remove nutsedge. You can use pests that feed on organic material to help take care of the job. 

6. Bindweed

Source: South Dakota State University Extension

• Key facts: Bindweed is a prominent weed problem, best recognized by its corolla flowers and leaf shape. 

• How to control: Organic weed killers are recommended to remove this greenery. Just be careful with the application, as it can kill other parts of your vegetation as long as it comes into contact with them. 

7. Black Medic

Source: Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences

• Key facts: Black medic is a flower and fruit-bearing weed that can grow in clusters within your yard. These have a coarse branching taproot that can make it quite rooted to the ground, making it hard to pull out. 

• How to control: Hand-pulling the black medic is the most straightforward way to remove this, but only if you have softer soil. It’s also recommended to utilize natural herbicides that would keep the weeds from growing further. 

8. Chickweed

Source: Cornell CALS – Cornell University

• Key facts: Chickweed is one of those plants that can grow during any season of the year. They’re relatively easy to identify thanks to their longer stalks and tapering leaves that overshadow your plants. 

• How to control: The caveat with chickweed is that they are growing. Controlling this species will typically require shallow weeding. Organic mulch can also suppress the seed reserves from sprouting. 

9. Prostrate Spurge

Source: Purdue Landscape Report

• Key facts: Prostrate spurge thrives best in nutrient-poor soils and weak turfgrass. It can also grow in the brick walls and cement cracks, showcasing its ability to thrive in the poorest of places. 

• How to control: The best way to keep these common lawn weeds out is by practicing irrigation and fertilization techniques for better quality soil. Mowing is also ideal, whether they’re big or small due to their lower height. 

10. Creeping Charlie

Source: Martha Stewart

• Key facts: The creeping Charlie weed goes by many names, from ground ivy to coltsfoot. Either way, these smaller weeds love to linger in moist and shaded areas. Compared to other types of plants, they can spread relatively fast. 

• How to control: Consider smothering creeping Charlie in a layer of newspaper and mulch. The weight, along with the lack of moisture and sunlight, can gradually kill this weed and its roots. 

Recap— How to Keep the Yard Healthy

Lawn weeds can be frustrating to deal with. That said, their presence in your garden is rarely your fault. Their seeds can be transmitted by natural forces such as the wind and rain. Birds are also guilty of dispersing these wherever we go, which can be quite a pain. The best thing you can do is to maintain your yard to keep this unwanted greenery out. 

1. Have Proper Mowing Techniques

Most weeds grow at the ground level. One of the best ways you can remove them while minimizing the likelihood of a weed invasion is to have a regular mowing schedule. Make sure you’re still leaving some of your usual garden grass to protect the soil from exposure to transmissible seedlings.

2. Water Your Grounds

Don’t let weeds stop you from watering your plants. If anything, they need that extra boost of hydration to survive the competition from the invasive greenery. Ensure you’re not watering the weeds to avoid helping their growth and movement through your garden. The only time you should be getting them wet is if you’re pulling them out of the soil. 

3. Prioritize Soil Health

Make sure your soil is in good condition to accommodate the greenery you’re planting. Fertilizers are a great way to ensure it’s still loam no matter the time of year. Mulch is also ideal, as it releases further nutrients while retaining moisture. It can even stop weed seeds from sprouting by strategically blocking sunlight.

4. Avoid Overseeding

Lawn weeds can be difficult to get that all under control when there’s too much vegetation involved. In most cases, you want to keep a healthy yard by ensuring that your plants are all spaced out and have enough space to breathe. Aside from encouraging growth, it’ll be easier to maintain the garden and remove weeds. 

5. Have Regular Weed Control

Have a schedule to manually remove the weeds from time to time to keep your garden tidy and safe. Mowing and mulching are already good methods, but you can also practice preventive maintenance like using natural herbicides and weedkillers. Some also like to have insects and organisms that can prey on the weeds that frequent your garden the most. 

Get the Lawn Weeds Out

Lawn weeds can be quite a pain for gardeners and their plants, especially when they’re left to steal all the nutrients and space. Identify these kinds of plants immediately so you can take care of the problem and let your actual vegetation thrive.