What is this weed and how do I rid my lawn of it? - Ask Extension
What is this weed and how do I rid my lawn of it?
Knowledgebase
What is this weed and how do I rid my lawn of it? #864950
Asked April 17, 2024, 10:36 PM EDT
What is this weed and how do I rid my lawn of it?
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
For your information, I used my weed ID app on each image, and it identified it as Common Chickweed (Stellaria media I) in your lawn.
You can also obtain a confirmed identification by contacting MSU Extension’s Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab. To learn how go to this link:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
More information at these links:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/spring-blooming-lawn-and-garden-weeds
https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/diseases/common-chickweed#gallery
Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is a winter annual broadleaf weed that often infiltrates turfgrass areas. Here are some effective methods for controlling it:
Cultural Control:
Turf Maintenance: Proper lawn care practices, such as adequate mowing height, fertilization, and irrigation, help develop a dense, competitive turf that can outcompete invading weeds.
Address Underlying Issues: Common chickweed thrives in compacted soils, shady conditions, and consistently moist or poorly drained areas. Consider aerating the soil to reduce compaction and adjusting irrigation practices to prevent excess moisture. Pruning tree branches to reduce shade can also help turf compete with chickweed.
Hand-pulling: When populations are small, hand-pulling common chickweed can be effective.
Biological Control:
Unfortunately, there are no specific biological controls known for common chickweed.
Some organic postemergence herbicides are available for turf weed control, such as:
Pelorgonic acid (Scythe)
Acetic acid (5% or greater solutions)
Medium-length fatty acids (Eugenol)
However, these products are non-selective, meaning they don’t differentiate between the target weed and the desired turf. More information at this link:
https://turf.purdue.edu/common-chickweed/
Chemical Control:
Preemergence Herbicides: Consider using preemergence herbicides like Gallery 75 (isoxaben), Pendulum (pendimethalin), Barricade (prodiamine), and Dimension (dithiopyr) in home lawns. Apply these before common chickweed germinates.
Postemergence Herbicides: For postemergence control, herbicides containing dicamba, MCPP, and/or fluroxypyr are effective against common chickweed. More information is at this link:
https://extension.psu.edu/lawn-and-turfgrass-weeds-common-chickweed
REMEMBER! - READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL FOR THE HERBICIDES YOU USE
Remember that early intervention is key, especially before common chickweed flowers and sets seeds. Implementing these strategies will help manage this weed effectively in your lawn.
For your information, I used my weed ID app on each image, and it identified it as Common Chickweed (Stellaria media I) in your lawn.
You can also obtain a confirmed identification by contacting MSU Extension’s Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab. To learn how go to this link:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/
More information at these links:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/spring-blooming-lawn-and-garden-weeds
https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/diseases/common-chickweed#gallery
Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is a winter annual broadleaf weed that often infiltrates turfgrass areas. Here are some effective methods for controlling it:
Cultural Control:
Turf Maintenance: Proper lawn care practices, such as adequate mowing height, fertilization, and irrigation, help develop a dense, competitive turf that can outcompete invading weeds.
Address Underlying Issues: Common chickweed thrives in compacted soils, shady conditions, and consistently moist or poorly drained areas. Consider aerating the soil to reduce compaction and adjusting irrigation practices to prevent excess moisture. Pruning tree branches to reduce shade can also help turf compete with chickweed.
Hand-pulling: When populations are small, hand-pulling common chickweed can be effective.
Biological Control:
Unfortunately, there are no specific biological controls known for common chickweed.
Some organic postemergence herbicides are available for turf weed control, such as:
Pelorgonic acid (Scythe)
Acetic acid (5% or greater solutions)
Medium-length fatty acids (Eugenol)
However, these products are non-selective, meaning they don’t differentiate between the target weed and the desired turf. More information at this link:
https://turf.purdue.edu/common-chickweed/
Chemical Control:
Preemergence Herbicides: Consider using preemergence herbicides like Gallery 75 (isoxaben), Pendulum (pendimethalin), Barricade (prodiamine), and Dimension (dithiopyr) in home lawns. Apply these before common chickweed germinates.
Postemergence Herbicides: For postemergence control, herbicides containing dicamba, MCPP, and/or fluroxypyr are effective against common chickweed. More information is at this link:
https://extension.psu.edu/lawn-and-turfgrass-weeds-common-chickweed
REMEMBER! - READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL FOR THE HERBICIDES YOU USE
Remember that early intervention is key, especially before common chickweed flowers and sets seeds. Implementing these strategies will help manage this weed effectively in your lawn.
