Know Your Weed

Have you ever been in the garden weeding and come across a plant that you weren’t sure about? “Is this a weed?” you may ask yourself. Well, I’ve taken some of the many weeds that we have in our yard and researched them the best I could. It’s difficult to match the weed with the photos or descriptions on the web sometimes. I think I did a pretty good job with these few. I will tell you what the weed is and have a picture for you. Perhaps this may help you in your next garden adventure.

photo credit: CK Worley

Dog Fennel is a short-lived summer perennial. It kind of looks like a fern but it gives a bad odor. It has small white flowers and spreads by seed. It’s easy to pull up but be careful not to spread the seeds. This one was growing in my mint!

photo credit: CK Worley

Dandelion is a winter perennial. Its yellow flower forms into a white fluffy seed ball. It spreads by seed and root. It’s very important to remove the taproot (it grows vertically downward) and use a tool that will allow you to do this. Pulling by hand won’t get the whole root system and they will grow back. We had a whole field of these across the street when I was growing up and my Dad used to make dandelion wine out of them. I suppose if you can’t beat them, drink them!

photo credit: CK Worley

Wild strawberry or Indian mock strawberry is a low trailing winter perennial. They spread by seed and runners. The strawberries are small with no taste. When you pull them up make sure you get the whole plant. It may run several feet.

photo credit: CK Worley

White clover spreads by stolons or runners that take root along the way when it’s put in contact with soil. Small white flowers from May through September. It’s best to use a good liming and a nitrogen fertilization practice to keep them from spreading in your lawn like these did.

photo credit: CK Worley

Violet flowers range form purple to white to pink to yellow. They are perennials and spread by seed and by or long stolons. Control by digging them up making sure you get the whole root. Violets are pretty but not when they invade your yard.

photo credit: CK Worley

Creeping cucumber has light delicate vines that travel and climb. It has tiny watermelon shaped fruit on it and that’s how it spreads, through seed. Some people eat the fruit but I wouldn’t and I don’t recommend it. Creeping cucumber is a perennial and will climb up other plants. Even though it looks like ivy, it will die back during the winter. You can get rid of it easily with a good yank.

photo credit: CK Worley

Crab Grass. Everyone knows this weed. So what is the best way to get it out of your yard? Put out Weed and Seed in the spring before the crab grass germinates. Re-apply because all crab grass seedlings do not germinate at the same time. Follow the directions on the bag carefully and don’t use more than is recommended. You can then dig it up as you see it. It’s easiest to do after a good rain.

Happy weed hunting!