It only takes one weed to ruin a beautiful lawn—but when is there ever just one? Green Drop lawn programs are designed to create happy, health turf. Simply put, a healthy lawn makes it difficult for weeds to compete.
Sometimes a little extra control is needed along the way. Get a handle on some of the most common weeds by learning how to identify them and leave it to us to eliminate them!
Dandelion
Characteristics
Serrated, comb- and tooth-like leaves
Hollow, leafless stalk
Yellow, petal-like flowers mature to white puffballs
Weed Type
Broadleaf perennial with a long, deep taproot
How it Spreads
By seeds that germinate year-round in accommodating climates
Control Method
Any Beautiful Program
Clover
Characteristics
Clover shaped, green leaves with circular markings, on thin stems
Alternate compound leaves, usually with three toothed leaflets
Ball shaped flowers can be white, pink, yellow
Weed Type
Perennial, broad leaf
How it Spreads
Spreads by tap-root, off runners, can spread quickly
Control Method
Any Beautiful Program
Creeping Charlie
Characteristics
Creeping stems and very fine hairs all over the plant
Dark green, kidney shaped leaves with scalloped edges
Leaves are small – about the size of a thumbnail
Prefers moist, shady areas, but can tolerate sun
Weed Type
Perennial, evergreen weed in the mint family
How it Spreads
It spreads by rhizomes and seeds, and forms thick mats in the lawn
Control Method
Any Beautiful Program
Plantain
Characteristics
Broad leaves with five prominent veins running from the base
Short, winged leaf stalk
Dense, erect flower spikes
Weed Type
Broadleaf perennial with shallow, fibrous roots
How it Spreads
By small, angular seeds. The mature seeds in one spike will range in color from orange all the way to black. Spikes will include seeds in shades of brown between the two extremes.
Control Method
Any Beautiful Program
Thistle
Characteristics
Prickly, deeply-lobed leaves
Slender, hairless stems
White, purple or pink flowers
Weed Type
Broadleaf with many annual and perennial species and seeds that remain viable for many years
How it Spreads
By seeds and root fragments
Control Method
Any Beautiful Program
Crabgrass
Characteristics
Flat, pointed, narrow leaves, rolled at the base with a prominent midvein
Short, flat, purplish-green stems
Fringy, spike-like flower heads
Weed Type
Annual summer grass that germinates throughout the season, capable of producing 150,000 seeds per plant, per season
How it Spreads
By seeds and lower stem pieces that root
Control Method
Any Beautiful Program
Problems with any of these pesky weeds? Our GreenKeepers can help!