Learning how to deal with weeds is important for maintaining the health and appearance of your garden – if you don’t take steps to control weeds, they will take over. Technically, any type of plant can be considered a weed. The definition of a weed is simply an ‘unwanted plant’. Such plants are often fast-growing and are able to thrive in almost any conditions. Weeds can come in many different forms and may not all respond to the same weed control methods. To help you identify how to deal with different weeds, here is a guide to 10 of the most common weed varieties in gardens and how to get rid of each of them.
Dandelions
While some gardeners find dandelions to be charming, others find them to be a nuisance. Dandelions can quickly take over a lawn due to their simple and effective method of dispersing seeds. They are also hard to remove because of their deep taproots – leave some of the stem and they will simply grow back. They are best dealt with by hand-pulling them out of the ground individually or by using a dandelion removal tool. Make sure to get the whole roots. Pre-emergent herbicides can also be applied in late winter.
Creeping buttercup
Creeping buttercup is another plant that likes to invade lawns. As with dandelions, some gardeners don’t mind these plants. However, for those that want a perfectly green lawn, they can be a blight. There are herbicides you can buy to get rid of and prevent buttercup growth. Mowing your lawn regularly and hand-pulling the first few flowers you see in early Spring could help to stop them from spreading.
Bindweed
Bindweed (also known as morning glory) produces attractive white and pink funnel-shaped flowers, which can make it a desirable plant in some gardens. However, most gardeners do not want bindweed anywhere near their flower beds – bindweed is known for its extensive root system that smothers any other plants growing in its immediate area. Adding thick layers of mulch to plant beds can help form a barrier against bindweed seeds to stop them germinating. If you already have bindweed growing in your garden, consider investing in a glyphosate-based herbicide.
Chickweed
Chickweed is known for producing many seeds and can rapidly form into huge clusters. These chickweed clusters can compete with other plants for water and nutrients, and can also carry viruses and aphids that are spread to other plants. Therefore, it’s good to keep chickweed under control. Mulching can prevent chickweed from taking over flower beds, while existing plants are best dealt with by hand pulling them when the soil is moist.
Poa annua
Also known as annual bluegrass, poa annua is an invasive grass that grows in light green clumps. It can take over lawns where it competes with other grasses, leading to an uneven appearance. Although aggressive and fast-growing, poa annua is easily killed off by hot weather, leading to bare patches in lawns. It is best to tackle poa annua before it spreads too far by mowing regularly and using a selective herbicide. This guide explains more on how to get rid of poa annua.
Couch grass
Couch grass is another invasive grass known for its coarse and rugged appearance. It can similarly take over lawns, outcompeting other grasses for water and nutrients. Because it is not seen as attractive grass, most gardeners are eager to remove it, however it can be difficult to stop it from spreading once it enters a lawn. A glyphosate-based herbicide may help to get rid of it, but you need to be careful not to accidentally touch other plants. Frequent mowing can also counter couch grass.
Plantain
Not to be confused with the tropical fruit, broadleaf plantain is a leafy plant that is also known as ‘English man’s foot’. Although sometimes cultivated for its medicinal qualities, plantain is often considered a weed by gardeners. It can often grow out of lawns where it is able to thrive despite being regularly trod on. Plantain competes with other plants for water and nutrients. Pre-emergent herbicides can be used to stop plantains growing, while existing plantains often need to be removed by hand-pulling them.
Nettles
Growing nettles can have benefits – these plants are known to attract butterflies, plus some people like to cook nettles (they have a spinach-like taste and are full of nutrients). However, most gardeners dislike nettles because they spread quickly and because they sting (we’ve all been stung by nettles before!). To get rid of nettles, cut them back and then pour concentrated vinegar onto them each day to kill them off. You can hand-pull nettles, but you’ll likely want to wear gloves and a long-sleeved top or coat so that you don’t get stung.
Thistles
Thistles are some of the worst garden weeds. They spread fast and have deep root systems which make them hard to remove (lopping off the top of them won’t kill them – they’ll just grow back). Their prickly leaves also aren’t fun to step on barefoot and could prevent pets and kids from wanting to play on your lawn. Once they start to become larger, thistle can become resistant to many herbicides – it is best to apply herbicides when they are still quite young. Hand-pulling thistles is one of the most effective ways to individually remove them. Make sure to wear gloves!
Nightshade
Nightshade may be the worst weed of them all. This plant produces toxic berries which can be deadly if accidentally eaten by a pet or a child. Nightshade is known for being highly invasive – it produces lots of seeds, is fast-growing and has a deep root system, which allows it to quickly take over plant beds. Removing nightshades often requires hand-pulling them out of the ground. This is best done when the soil is moist – make sure not to break the roots while pulling, as these plants will regrow. You can buy herbicides that can kill off nightshade, but you need to be careful that you don’t damage other plants.