A common backyard weed in Virginia Beach, VA - Ask Extension
My backyard is now invaded by a common weed but I don't know its name. I'll appreciate your help in
identifying and killing it. I am attaching a few ...
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A common backyard weed in Virginia Beach, VA #317446
Asked April 29, 2016, 3:11 PM EDT
My backyard is now invaded by a common weed but I don't know its name. I'll appreciate your help in
identifying and killing it. I am attaching a few pictures of it and a picture of a tall dandelion-like weed.
Thanks very much.
Virginia Beach County Virginia
Expert Response
The lower growing plant is a type of cranesbill/geranium, probably Carolina geranium.
The taller, prickly weed is either a type of Sowthistle, or Prickly lettuce. If it is Prickly lettuce, there would be spines on the underside of the leaf surface as well.
Depending on how large your lawn is, hand weeding (with good gloves for the thistle) is easiest and least toxic. Other options are spot treatments with an herbicide labelled for broad-leaved weeds in lawn.
It appears that part of your problem is that your grass is not thick enough to deny weeds area to grow freely. You may consider overseeding in late summer into fall with a turf-type tall fescue if the area is in full sun and a shade seed mixture if it's more shaded.
The following publication should be helpful to you:
http://www.extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG101%20Guide%20...
cm
The taller, prickly weed is either a type of Sowthistle, or Prickly lettuce. If it is Prickly lettuce, there would be spines on the underside of the leaf surface as well.
Depending on how large your lawn is, hand weeding (with good gloves for the thistle) is easiest and least toxic. Other options are spot treatments with an herbicide labelled for broad-leaved weeds in lawn.
It appears that part of your problem is that your grass is not thick enough to deny weeds area to grow freely. You may consider overseeding in late summer into fall with a turf-type tall fescue if the area is in full sun and a shade seed mixture if it's more shaded.
The following publication should be helpful to you:
http://www.extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/HG101%20Guide%20...
cm
