Five Common Lawn Weeds And How To Control Them

Knowing how to identify and control common lawn weeds can elude even the savviest of gardeners – but the good news is that it’s actually easier than you think.

The thing about lawn weeds is that when you find one, more often than not there’s sure to be others. This is commonly why most people get overwhelmed at the task at hand, and allow the invaders to get comfortable in their garden or their lawn. Another reason why lawn weeds can easily get away on you is that people simply don’t realise that they are in fact a weed, as the plants can easily blend in with other components of the turf – so how do you spot them?

Five Common Lawn Weeds Found In Australia

While many of us are just happy to even have a lush, green lawn in the height of the Australian summer, the ideal lawn should have at most one or two species of grass in order to achieve a consistent and aesthetic greenspace. If you’re noticing some inconspicuous residents in your turf, then there’s a high chance that you’ve already got some foreign lawn weeds making themselves at home. 

Nut Grass – Nut grass is a perennial grass-like sedge with flat, tapered and corrugated foliage. The stem is triangular in cross-section, a feature which is unique to sedges. While the name comes from the nut-like tubers found on rhizomes under the surface, these “nuts” serve as energy storage for the weed – making the weed  difficult to control.

Crowsfoot Grass – Otherwise known as crabgrass, crowsfoot grass is both a prolific seeder and spreader, overtaking lawns as it continues to establish a foothold. It suffocates the lawn before dying off in winter, leaving bare patches. The following spring, the bare patch becomes a stronger weed from the previous season’s seeding, thus starting the cycle all over again. 

Mullumbimby Couch – This perennial grass-like sedge grows up to 15cm high, with dark green, glossy strap-like leaves. It’s easily recognised by it’s long rhizomes that are red and purple in colour, along with it’s triangular stems in the cross section. The sedge is usually in flower through spring and summer, with three short, curved leaves from the base of the seed. 

Paspalum – Somewhat harder to spot in a lawn, paspalum is a grassy weed with larger, broader and relatively long leaves. It grows in a cluster, and removal involves physically digging the plant out of the ground to ensure all roots are removed. If left unchecked, it can spread quickly, so it’s important to get a paspalum infestation under control early.

Oxalis – Although it can appear similar in appearance to clover, the tiny yellow flowers make this lawn weed relatively easy to identify. As a perennial weed, it spreads through interlocking rhizomes that are easy to break apart. These rhizomes eventually produce tiny bulbils, so anywhere the stem touches the ground, it can take root and produce more plants. 

How To Safely Control Lawn Weeds At Home 

It’s important not to undo all of your hard work that’s been put into getting your lawn fluffy and green. While it can be hard to know which chemical-based weed killers may also damage your turf, your pets or even your family, the good news is that there is a safer alternative now on the market. 

While hand plucking weeds is the easiest, cost-free and efficient method used to prevent a weed infestation – it’s certainly not the most convenient. In comparison, a glyphosate-free weed killer like Bioweed is a safe way to keep them under control. As a non-residual solution, it will break down into the soil in as little as 72 hours and can combat over 200 invasive weed species. The best part? It’s not just exclusive to lawns, and can be used to defend your garden or even pastures against a large variety of foreign invaders.

After all, what’s the point of a well-manicured lawn if you can’t stop and feel the grass between your toes from time to time? Now that you have all of the insights required in order to keep the local turf weeds under control, there’s no reason why you can’t.

With a team of highly experienced plant and gardening enthusiasts, the team at Bioweed are armed with a wealth of knowledge, tips and tricks that can help you to get your lawn and garden looking their very best. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’re looking for further organic gardening solutions.