Springtime in Massachusetts brings forth a bounty of weeds that have the ability to defeat even the most dedicated homeowner’s quest for the perfect lawn. Fast growing, rapidly spreading, and hard to kill, weeds can choke out the grass and flowers you want around your home. Weeds rob your soil of vital nutrients. They also seriously damage your home’s curb appeal. You can win the war against weeds, but first you need to know what you’re up against.
Here are the Top Five Massachusetts Spring Weeds:
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Known for its bright yellow flowers, dandelions are pervasive and can quickly take over lawns and gardens. The early Colonists are responsible for the dandelion’s presence in America – they brought the plant over because it was valuable to them as food and medicine. Today, however, the dandelion is the classic landscaping nightmare – as soon as you mow them down, they pop right back up!
Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)
This annual weed germinates in the spring and can spread rapidly, often outcompeting desired grasses and plants. Crabgrass was introduced to America shortly before the Civil War by farmers who hoped to use it as a forage crop. Crabgrass was an ideal solution – but today’s homeowners don’t want a yard full of the ugly, sprawling weed. One single crabgrass plant sets enough seed to grow thousands of new crabgrass plants. That’s why it’s such a challenge to get rid of.
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
A cool-season annual weed that thrives in the spring, chickweed has small white flowers and can form dense mats. Originally from Eurasia and North Africa, chickweed is incredibly nutritious. It shows up in expensive trendy restaurant menus and health food stores, and it tastes great, but aesthetically, it’s a nightmare for your lawn. If you can manage to pull chickweed out when it’s very young, you might be able to keep your yard free of it – but once the plant gets established and those heavy mats form, the job gets a lot tougher.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Also known as Creeping Charlie, this perennial weed spreads quickly through its creeping stems and can be challenging to control. It’s important to know that ground ivy can be toxic to horses and other livestock, especially when eaten in quantity. Ground Ivy was introduced to the Americas in the 1800s as an ornamental ground cover, as well as for medicinal uses. It’s difficult to get rid of ground ivy because new growth will emerge from the tiniest fragment of root or plant that remains after weeding.
Clover (Trifolium spp.)
While often considered beneficial for its nitrogen-fixing properties, clover can become invasive in lawns and gardens. Bees love clover, and you might not want to have a yard full of bees. Clover often thrives in poor soil conditions, such as compacted soil, insufficient nitrogen, or poor drainage. That being said, four-leaf clovers are traditionally considered lucky, so pick those first before eliminating the rest.
These weeds are common in many parts of Massachusetts and can pose challenges for gardeners and homeowners during the spring growing season. We encourage you to reach out to your local lawn service for advice on pre and post-emergent weed control treatments – the family and pet-safe way to keep your yard weed-free!
