How to Identify and Effectively Remove Weeds

In this blog, we’ll explore a variety of common lawn weeds found in South Australia and the best methods to remove them. Get ready to tackle these pesky invaders!

Some weeds, like dandelion and chickweed, are relatively easy to control, while others, such as creeping oxalis, clover, and burr medic, can be more challenging. Today, you’ll discover everything you need to know to keep your lawn looking its best.

 

Clover (Trifolium)

Clover is a familiar sight in many Australian lawns, recognizable by its oval-shaped leaves, often marked with a distinctive white circle. It produces flowers that can be white, pink, red, or yellow.

To remove clover, we recommend using a broadleaf herbicide like Bow and Arrow or Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control.

 

Bindii (Jo-Jo)

Bindii can be one of the more frustrating weeds to deal with. This low-growing weed features a central flower and carrot-like green leaves. Bindii begins to grow in winter, and, as spring and summer temperatures rise, the plant will start to dry out and drop its prickly seeds.

You can manage Bindii with broadleaf herbicides such as Bow and Arrow and Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control. Both herbicides are suitable for Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, Sir Grange Zoysia, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, couch, Kikuyu, fescue, and ryegrass.

 

Creeping Oxalis (Oxalis Corniculata)

Creeping Oxalis is a highly invasive and troublesome weed, so it’s crucial to address it as soon as possible. It spreads quickly along the soil’s surface, rooting from its leaves as it creeps under and through your lawn. Its seed pods explode when mature, allowing the seeds to scatter. The difficulty in removing this weed lies in the fact that the crowns break off, leaving roots that can regrow.

Hand removal of small plants is possible, but for larger infestations, spraying a herbicide is your best bet. We recommend Bow and Arrow, which will effectively eradicate Creeping Oxalis across most cool and warm season grasses, including Buffalo. Do not use on Bentgrass or Wintergrass Golf and Bowling Greens.

Please note, if the infestation of creeping oxalis is large and quite mature, it may take a second application to fully exterminate.

Soursob (Oxalis Pes-caprae)

Soursobs are a bulb weed that spread their leaves close to the ground and produce large yellow flowers with five petals, along with long, white tuberous roots. Their leaves are similar to clover but are also marked with black dots.

Eradicating Soursobs from your lawn will require time and effort. Hand removal is not advisable, as the bulbs will break off and continue growing underground, allowing them to reappear. Currently there are no herbicides available for residential lawns that specifically target Soursobs. Broadleaf herbicides can help weaken soursobs, but due to their bulb structure, these plants have rapid regrowth and won’t remain suppressed for long.

But not to worry! There are some steps you can make to manage them. Regular mowing can weaken the plants, helping your grass to recover from the infestation. The optimal time for mowing and applying a non-selective herbicide is just before flowering, when the plants are most vulnerable. At this stage, physical removal is also an option; you can dig around the plant and remove it along with the bulb and surrounding soil.

Cudweed (Gnaphalium spp.)

Cudweed has glossy, light green rosette-shaped leaves with a furry white underside, and it can flower from mid-spring to early summer or in autumn.

To treat Cudweed, adding a few drops of dish soap to your herbicide can help it adhere better to the leaves. We recommend using a broadleaf herbicide such as Bow and Arrow or Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control.

 

Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus)

Nutgrass, characterized by its triangular stems and nut-like tubers, is a troublesome sedge weed. It has lighter green leaves that grow taller than your lawn. Its three blades will shoot up from the stem.

To control nutgrass, avoid pulling it by hand, as this will leave bulbs in the soil and it can then reappear. Instead, use a selective herbicide like Amgrow Sedgehammer Herbicide.

 

Crowsfoot/Crabgrass (Eleusine Indica or Digitaria)

Crowsfoot is an annual summer weed that typically grows in distinct tufts, remaining relatively low to the ground. It features nearly white, flat sheathed stems and smooth, strap-like leaves. Seed heads generally emerge from late spring to early summer, often bearing up to ten spikelets on each elongated stem. If left unchecked in an unhealthy lawn, these weeds can rapidly spread, taking over the entire area.

For a few isolated tufts, hand pulling is the most effective method for removal.

Monument Liquid Turf Herbicide can help suppress crabgrass, but it’s effective only in Couch or Zoysia lawns. Alternatively, the best strategy is to apply a pre-emergent after hand-pulling to prevent further growth. We recommend using Spartan or Oxafert for this.

Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Chickweed is a low-growing winter annual that can persist into summer. It has paired leaves protruding opposite one another that have minimal fine hairs. White flowers bloom in clusters at the end of a stem, as temperatures rise.

You can hand-pull chickweed, but for widespread growth, applying a broadleaf herbicide like Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control or Bow and Arrow is recommended.

 

Onion Weed (Nothoscordum sp)

Onion weeds is one of the most difficult weeds to remove and, therefore, one of the worst weeds you can have in your lawn. It features thin green leaves growing from a mainly white bulb and gives off an onion smell when crushed. Its white flowers grow at the top of a long stalk.

To successfully eradicate onion weed, start by removing as many plants as possible. Refrain from pulling the plants out or shaking off any excess dirt back into the hole or compost. Pulling them can cause the small bulblets to separate from the main plant, leaving behind more bulbs in the soil that will proliferate quickly. Instead, use a spade or trowel to carefully dig out the entire clump and dispose of it properly. If you’re facing a significant infestation, we recommend you apply a selective herbicide such as Duke Herbicide, or carefully coat the weed with a non-selective herbicide such as Weedpro Bioaqua.

 

Paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum)

Paspalum features broad grass leaves with a purple hue at the base, originating from a central crown and thrives in warmer months, from late spring to early autumn.

The most effective method to keep paspalum at bay is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide before weeds start appearing. We suggest using Spartan Herbicide or Oxafert.

If it becomes unmanageable, apply a selective herbicide with DSMA, but be cautious as it’s not safe for Kikuyu or buffalo lawns.

                                         

 

Burr Medic (Medicago polymorpha)

Burr Medic thrives in phosphorus-rich soil, producing burrs (which contain seeds) that cling to pets and clothing. Its heart-shaped leaves resemble clover, and it produces yellow flowers.

Use a broadleaf herbicide like Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control or Bow and Arrow for removal.

Image source: Turf Finder

Plantain (Lambs Tongue)

Plantain has distinctive rosette-shaped leaves with thin veins and slender flowering stems.

For effective control, apply a broadleaf herbicide such as Bow and Arrow or Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control.

Image source: My Home Turf

Dandelion

Dandelions are easily identified by their toothy leaves, light green milky sap, and yellow daisy like flowers on hollow stems, with a thick taproot.

For removal, a broadleaf herbicide like Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control or Bow and Arrow is effective.

Thistle

Thistles are herbaceous annual weeds with spiky leaves and mostly purple flowers. Their soft green leaves clasp the stem, which exudes a milky sap when broken.

Thistle seeds are formed after flowing, feature fluffy hairs on top that assist in their dispersal.

For effective control, apply Bow and Arrow or Lawn Solutions All Purpose Weed Control.

Image source: My Home Turf

Cat’s Ear

Cat’s Ear has hairy leaves and produces tall stalks which often have multiple small yellow flowers. It features segmented, toothed leaves and a stout taproot.

To manage it, use a selective broadleaf herbicide such as Bow and Arrow.

Image source: Lawn Addicts

 

Ryegrass

Ryegrass is a shiny dark green grass that grows in clusters and tolerates low mowing. It’s a common allergen and can be resistant to herbicides. Ryegrass commonly emerges from late autumn to early spring, and can produce a long spike with a seed cluster during spring/summer.

Consider using a herbicide that targets grasses for effective management. Duke Herbicide, Monument Herbicide or Tribute Herbicide, depending on lawn type, are the most effective.

Image source: Lawn Solutions

 

Wintergrass / Poa

Wintergrass is a fast-spreading cool season weed that starts appearing as early as March and can continue to emerge into spring. It is a low growing weed that presents in bright green clumps. It matures quickly, developing multiple triangular shaped seed heads that easily fall into the soil to grow new weeds. Once it drops its seeds, guaranteed next winter it will be back, twice as bad as it was the previous year.

It is recommended to treat it before it goes to seed.

The most effective method to eradicate wintergrass is to treat it as soon as it appears or even better, apply a pre-emergent during early/mid autumn before the weed has germinated. We recommend using Oxafert or Spartan Herbicide.

If it is too late for a pre-emergent, we suggest you use Amgrow Winter Grass Killer or SureFire Propyzamide.

Image source: Lawn Solutions

By understanding these common lawn weeds and how to manage them, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn.

As always, if you are unsure or have any questions, feel free to reach out – we’ll be happy to help!