Weeds are the black sheep of your lawn and garden. The battle to control them seems never-ending. The good news is the weeds can be controlled through a variety of methods such as proper mowing techniques, hand removal, and selective herbicide applications.
Preemergence herbicides need to be applied before the seeds germinate. Postemergence herbicides are applied after the weeds grow. The most effective weed management plan usually relies on both types of herbicide applications. There are several weeds common to our Florida lawns you should be on the lookout for.
Common Florida Weeds
Chamberbitter. Chamberbitter, a warm-season, broadleaf weed, is also known as gripe weed. It grows early in the summer. The growth pattern is upright, and it has a well-developed taproot.
Crabgrass. This annual warm-season weed flourishes in heat and sprawls wherever it has sun, water, and a bare or thin patch of soil. Crabgrass can spread quickly and leave behind thousands of seeds for the next season when it dies.
Dollarweed. Also referred to as pennywort, dollarweed is a warm-season perennial weed with silver dollar—shaped leaves. The round green leaves look like a lily pad with a scalloped edge.
Kyllinga. The kyllinga grows year-round and has a more delicate leaf texture. It thrives in lawns mowed short (1 inch or less). It invades areas where the soil remains wet for extended periods.
Doveweed. The Doveweed is a summer weed that germinates in late spring and is often mistaken for St. Augustine grass and centipede grass leaves because of its shiny, rubbery texture. Doveweed grows aggressively in wet areas, so avoid overwatering and drainage issues.
Spurge. The spurge is an annual summer weed that grows low to the ground and spreads quickly. Broken spurge leaves release a milky sap that irritates eyes and skin upon contact.
As you prepare for the Florida weeds, don’t forget about your irrigation system. Challenger Irrigation is here to assist you with all the needs for your system. Call our office to schedule an appointment with an irrigation specialist.
