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 Dandelion |
Problem: Yellow flowers bloom from midspring until frost. In warm weather areas they bloom year round. As the flower matures they form white "puffballs" containing seeds. The wind carries the seeds for miles to other lawns. The seeds sprout the following spring. The tops of the plants are killed by frost, but the tap root survives the winter to resprout in the spring. |
 Crabgrass |
Problem: Crabgrass is one of the most troublesome weeds in yards throughout the United States. It is frequently found in flower and vegetable gardens, as well as cracks in sidewalks and driveways. Crabgrass is most troublesome in hot dry weather. The pale, bluish green blades are 2 to 5 inches long and a third of an inch wide. Blades may also be slightly hairy. Stems root at the lower joints. Seed heads grow from the center of the plant from July to October. The seeds remain dormant over the winter, then sprout in the spring. |
 Wild Violets |
Problem: Wild violet, also called violet, field pansy, or hearts-ease, is an annual or short-lived perenial with dense, fibrous roots. The flowers may be pale yellow. purple, white, or a combination of these colors. The plants bloom from April to June and produce seeds from May to July. wild violets thrive in moist shaded or semi-shaded conditions. They are a persistant weed in partially-shaded lawns and planting beds. |
 Ground Ivy |
Problem: Ground Ivy, is a perennial, it is also called creeping ivy, and creeping charlie. It was originally planted in many areas as a shade-tolerant ground cover, but has since become a nuisance, invading lawns and landscaped areas. Rounded , scalloped leaves, about the size of a nickle or quarter, grow opposite each otheron creeping stems. Light blue to purple flowers bloom and produce seeds from April to July. It also reproduces by the creeping stems that root wherever they touch the soil. Ground ivy prefers damp, shady areas with rich soil, but may also grow in the sun. |
 Poison Ivy |
Problem: This woody perennial may grow as a small shrub in full sunlight. The leaves have 3 leaflets, 2 to 4 inches long, with margins that may be toothed, smooth, or lobed. Poison Ivy reproduces by seeds, distributed by birds, and underground creeping stems and roots. An oil present in all parts of the poison ivy plant may cause skin irritations. Poisoning can occur throughout the year, from live or dead plants. These irritations develop after contact with the plant, contaminated clothing, tools, pets hair, or smoke from burning plants. |
 Foxtail |
Problem: Foxtail, sometimes called bristlegrass or pigeongrass, are summer annual grasses that grow 1 to 2 feet tall. In a mowed lawn, they will form low mats. The leaves are flat, sometimes twisted 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, and 2 to 6 inches long. Spikelets consisting of 5 to 20 bristles, 2 to 4 inches long, appear from July to September. Tne bristles contain seed that sprout from midspring to early summer. Foxtail grows in clumps and are afton mistaken for crabgrass. Foxtail are commonly found in lawns with rich soil bordering fields, roadways, and other unmaintained areas. |
 Chickweed |
Problem: This weed is also called starwort, satin flower, or starweed. It prefers damp, shady areas with rich cultivated soil. Common Chickweed is a winter annual that grows from seeds that sprout in fall. It grows vigorously in cool wet weather, forming a dense mat that crowds out desirable plants. The 1/2 to 2 inch heart-shaped leaves are attached to the stems by a slightly hairy stalk. The creeping stems root at their joints wherever they touch the soil. Small, white, starlike flowers bloom in clusters on the ends of the stems from March to December. |
 Nutsedge |
Problem: These perennials are also called nutgrass, cocosedge, or cocograss. Nutsedges prefer poorly drained, rich soil, they thrive in frequently watered garden areas. Nutsedges are particularly noticeable in lawns in the summer, when they grow more quickly then mowed grass and stand above it. The grasslike, yellow-green leaves grow on erect triangular stems. Seed heads are purple or yellow, appearing from July to October. Nutsedges reproduce by seed, underground stems, and nutlike tubers. |