Eliminating Lawn Burweed: 5 Strategies for Success
Ditching those pesky lawn burweeds might seem like an impossible task, what with their inconspicuous presence and those annoying tiny burs. But fret not, for Clint Waltz, PhD, a turfgrass specialist from the University of Georgia, has some helpful tips to keep your lawn bursting with joy, not prickles.
Lawn burweeds (Soliva sessilis) are detection-challenging bad boys that show up uninvited in your yard around fall, specifically from late September. They thrive throughout the winter, and when the weather warms up, they disappear, leaving a trail of seeds behind. So, better keep an eye for these crafty enemies every year.
To bid farewell to these lawn intruders, follow these tried-and-tested tactics:
- Identify your lawn's DNA: You gotta know your grass type to rain destruction upon your enemies. Not all herbicides are made for all grass types, so reach out to your local university coop extension service to ensure you're in the know.
- Select the proper weapon: As a turfgrass soldier, you'll need a 3-way herbicide containing 2, 4-D. These come in both granular and liquid forms. For centipede and St. Augustine, you're good to go with 2, 4-D in early seasons, but if your grasses are mostly green, use atrazine instead.
- Time is of the essence: Gain the upper hand by striking before the plant has an opportunity to take flight with its spiny seeds. This is when herbicides work their magic best.
- Wait, but not for long: If you missed your chance and the plant has already bloomed, your only option is to buy time. The tiny seeds will persist until they break down on their own, which could take weeks.
- Offense is your best defense: Equip yourself for next year's battle by employing a preemptive strike. In November and December, when the weed is in its infancy, double down on your pre-emergent herbicides to knock it out before it even has a chance to take root.
[Lawn Burweed Herbicide Suggestions:]
Dimension 2EW Herbicide: This herbicide supersedes most grass types, including zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and centipedegrass. It enjoys taking out annual weed seeds like lawn burweed, but it will not actually kill the mature seedlings; instead, it leaves the field open for the new troops to march in.
Gemini Granular: Deploy this herbicide in late winter if you want to kick lawn burweed's butt after it's already called up its troops. However, be wary about using it on newly laid sod or grass under stressed conditions.
Now, suit up for a war, and give those lawn burweeds a taste of their own medicine! But remember, act swiftly before the seedlings germinate and claim victory.
Caring for your garden and maintaining a beautiful lawn involves more than just mowing regularly. Southern Living magazine suggests considering Caring For Your Garden tips, including Lawn Care techniques, to keep your yard looking its best. In fact, to effectively combat lawn burweeds, you might want to explore Gardening Ideas suggested by turfgrass specialists like Clint Waltz, such as identifying your lawn's DNA, selecting the proper herbicide, and timing your application correctly.
