Summer is supposed to be fun! What’s fun about pulling weeds? Not much – but you need them out of your yard to keep your homestead looking sharp.
Who’s your opponent in this quest? Five common Massachusetts weeds thrive during the summer months. They’re all fast growing, rapidly spreading, and hard to kill. Armed with the right tools and techniques, you can eliminate them from your landscape. But first, you need to know what you’re up against.
Here are the Top 5 Massachusetts Summer Weeds:
Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)
This annual weed is the biggest landscape problem in the summer, spreading rapidly and outcompeting desired grasses. Crabgrass chokes out healthy grass and takes advantage of any bare or compacted areas in the lawn to establish new growth. Warm temperatures encourage crabgrass growth, so if you’re having a crabgrass problem in your lawn, it’s most likely at its peak now.
Nutsedge (Cyperus spp.)
Also known as nutgrass, this perennial weed prefers warm, moist conditions and can quickly take over lawns and gardens. It has been called the world’s worst weed because it significantly diminishes agricultural harvests all around the planet. It’s equally distressing to homeowners, who see the tough, unsightly grass overrun the landscape seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
This perennial weed, also known as wild morning glory, has a vining habit and can smother other plants. It’s a shame, because bindweed produces beautiful pink and white flowers. However, this beauty doesn’t counter the potentially devastating impact bindweed can have on your lawn. It monopolizes the water and nutrients in the landscape, making it very difficult for your grass to grow.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
This annual weed has succulent leaves and can thrive in hot, dry conditions, making it a persistent summer weed. A beloved edible in many cultures, purslane shows up on trendy restaurant menus and in health food stores. Unfortunately, its aesthetic appeal is just not there. Purslane will take advantage of every opportunity to grow, choking out your healthy grass with an unsightly low tangle.
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
Known for causing hay fever, ragweed is a summer annual that produces large amounts of pollen and can grow in various soil conditions. Seventy-five percent of people who have allergies are allergic to ragweed. That’s a great reason to keep it out of your lawn and neighborhood. Ragweed is native to the Americas and was cultivated as a food crop prior to the introduction of maize. Left unchecked, ragweed can grow to be as tall as an adult!
These weeds are common in Massachusetts during the summer and can pose significant challenges for gardeners and homeowners trying to maintain healthy lawns and gardens. We encourage you to reach out to your local lawn service for help with pre and post-emergent weed control treatments. That way, you can have a great looking yard without having to do a ton of work!
