Why You Need to Know Your Weeds

Why is it important for you to know what type of weeds you have in your lawn?

Well let's explain what typically happens to your lawn when you DON'T know what type of weeds you have:

• One: you pick an herbicide that isn't directed for that particular weed, so the weed doesn't die and continues to spread (Not recommended)
• Two: you pick an herbicide that kills both the weed, and your lawn. (Also not recommended)

Instead, learn how to identify some common types of weeds by reading below and start effectively addressing your weed problem.

Once you know what type of weed you're fighting, you can read about the best way kill them.

Main Broadleaf Weed Types in the Northwest

Broadleaf weeds are the easiest to identify in the scheme of weeds. They look much like they sound and are very different from the lawn grasses we'd like to keep around. They usually have much bigger, or "broader," leaves than that of your lawn (think big and flat vs thin and fine).  Here are the top three we see here in the Northwest.

1. Clover this little weed should be easy to identify. Each stem has three small leaves (or leaflets) that are petal shaped and have a white "v" or crescent on each leaf, and are about a half inch long

2. Plantain broadleaf plantain has green, oval to egg-shaped leaves that grow in a rosette. These leaves have thick stems that meet at a base.

3. Dandelions these have a rosette base producing several flowering stems and multiple leaves.

Looking for lawn care products? We've got a wide selection online here. 

Main Grassy Weed Types in the Northwest 

These grassy weeds are the sneakier of the two common lawn turf looters. These resemble grass in appearance, and usually grow faster than normal turf grass- which makes for an uneven lawn, and add to that the fact they are usually a different green than the type you are trying to cultivate- and you've got a problem. Here are some tips to help you find the culprits:

1. Annual bluegrass this is one of the most pervasive grassy weeds in the US, identified by its boat-shaped leaf tip with a wrinkle portion mid-blade.

2. Crab grass both leaf surfaces and sheath are densely hairy. Leaves are rolled in the bud and more numerous at the base

3. Quack grass leaves are rolled in the bud, hairless to sparsely hairy above and up to 8 inches long. Leaf sheaths are hairless except those near the base, which may be sparsely hairy.

If you're interested in learning more about keeping your lawn in top shape, check this out: 5 Tips for a Better Lawn.

So now you know how to properly identify the weeds in your lawn, which is great. But you still have weeds, which is not so great.

Now it's time to check out our blog on the best practices for applying weed killer. Still have questions? Use the form below to reach out and ask us--we will work to get back to you within 24-hours.