Weeds are destructive and can ruin a well-groomed lawn or garden by competing for nutrients from the soil. Weeds can be annoying as they spread so easily and can overtake your garden within a short while.

To fight weed, you need to first identify the type and nature of weeds you want to deal with. As you may know, there are different varieties of weeds; identifying them can be daunting. However, some types of weeds are more common than others.

In today’s post, we’ll identify some of the prevalent types of weeds that you might want to get rid of. Identifying the nature of a weed solves half of the problem; it makes it easier to get rid of them.

Grass-like Weeds

1. Bluegrass

This type of weeds is easy to notice on manicured lawns. They are small winter weeds; the leaves produce hairy, feathery seed sprouts. The sprouts make the grass appears like a tiny tree, especially when viewed from a distance.

Bluegrass is originally found in the southern US, Kentucky in particular, but can be grown in another region of the country as well. The plant is short and usually less than 1ft. (0.30 m). Note that Bluegrass isn’t green as the name suggests. Its color looks almost like other surrounding grass.

2. Wild garlic

Wild garlic is not so difficult to spot; they are tall, thin grass that sprouts straight upward in patches. Wild garlic stands out among other grasses; their sprouts are usually darker and taller than other grasses. The grass is produced from the garlic bulb.

Wild garlic is a perennial plant but usually pops up during spring and winter. It is a native plant of northern Europe and Britain. However, the plant has now spread worldwide.

3. Crabgrass

Crabgrass is a common grass-like weed; its grassy leaves bud from a dominant bulb and grow out like a crab’s leg. It is a perennial plant that grows year-round and very easy to identify, especially in well-trimmed lawns.

Most Crabgrass leaves usually have white-like hair sprouting out, while some are smooth and without hairs. The plant may be difficult to identify on a poor-maintained lawn. In such a situation, you can look for grass that is different from the other grasses. Crabgrass is lighter and has a different shape than other typical grass on your lawn. It is a widespread weed and can be found in different parts of the world.

Flowering Weeds

1. Dandelions

This type of weeds is common on lawns. Dandelion leaves are sharp and pointy at the end and usually have distinct yellow flowers during blooming. Dandelions can be found in different parts of the world and can grow all year round.

2. Clovers

Clovers are weeds that produce small, round flowers surrounded by rounded or oval leaves. Their flowers are commonly white in color, but they are sometimes purple, red, or slightly blue. Clovers are commonly found on lawns but can also thrive in concrete and another harsh environment.

Clovers, though perennial but are dominant during winter and bloom in spring. They are mostly found in parts of North America and Europe. Clovers are somewhat beneficial to your lawn because they supply nitrogen to the soil. So preserving some clovers may help your grass do well.

3. Deadnettle

These weeds grow upward; their leaves are green at the bottom, purple near the top. And they usually have small pink flowers at the top of the leaf’s column. Deadnettle tends to grow close together, so it’s uncommon to see them in large bunches.

Deadnettle was originally found in Asia and Europe but has now spread to North America and the United States. They are winter and spring plants that bloom during the early spring and dries by late spring.

4. Wild violet

Wild violet is a perennial weed that produces purple or blue flowers; they are surrounded by clover-like flowers. They are typically found on short lawns and can also be found in other areas too.

Wild violet stands at less than 1ft (0.30 m) and is mostly found in the northern US and Canada. Some are also found in Europe but not too common though.

5. Bindweed

Bindweed is a tough weed with rounded white flowers. They grow rapidly in hot weather and can potentially spread more than 10 ft. in a short while.

Measures should be taken to curtail their spread as an outbreak of Bindweed can easily overtake your lawn. Bindweed is native to the United States but has spread to Europe and Asia.

Leafy Weeds

1. Ragweed

Ragweed isn’t that common on the lawn; it grows more often in ditches, fields,s, and meadows. It grows from a dominant bulb and produces triangle-like green leaves.

Ragweed is predominant in some parts of the US (along the eastern seaboard) but can also be found in Canada and parts of the Midwest.

2. Bittercress

Bittercress is a weed known for its dark green leaves with a brownish stem that protrudes upward.

This weed is predominantly found in woody environments than gardens or lawns. They are found mostly in the United States and Canada.

3. Groundsel

Groundsel stands out for its pointy leaves, though not too sharp. They are winter and spring plants and are largely seen in the US and some parts of Europe. Groundsel grows in a cluster of shabby-looking leaves with stems that reaches upward.

Creeping Weeds

1. Ground ivy

These weeds are also known as creeping Charlie; they have star-shaped leaves and grow along the ground. Their leaves could be scalloped or with ridged edges.

Ground ivy originates from the UK but can now be found in Europe and the Us. The plant produces a repugnant odor when crushed.

2. Poison ivy

Some do not consider this plant a weed, but it can overtake your gardens or lawns. They creep along the ground, producing multiple leaves which can easily overwhelm your lawn. Poison ivy is common in the US but can also be grown in different parts of the world.

3. Virginia creeper

Virginia creepers creep just like ivy along the ground and on trees. The leaves are typically red when it blooms and turns green when matured.

They are mostly seen in the southern US and are also found in the northern parts. They don’t thrive well in cooler regions.

Conclusion

Most weeds aren’t good for our garden; they compete with the available nutrient in the soil. Such competition affects your lawns and garden negatively. You need to be tactical in dealing with weeds so as not to hamper the growth of your desired plants. Thank you so much for your time reading my post and if you have questions about please kindly leave your comment below and I’ll be happy to write back to you.