Aggressive plants that spread horizontally across the ground are known as creeping lawn weeds. They can be any plant or shrubs that you don't want growing around in your lawn, as they can make your yard messy. Creeping weeds usually grow across a lawn or surface and compete fiercely with grass for essential resources, such as nutrients, water, sunlight, and space.
Although it may seem like creeping lawn weeds are impossible to manage due to their deep root systems and rapid growth, they can be controlled. In this blog, we've discussed 15 creeping lawn weeds that are harmful to your yard and should be removed immediately.
15 Creeping Lawn Weeds You Must Be Aware of!
Henbit
Henbit is a common winter annual or biennial weed that often invades lawns during the late fall and winter months. They can be spotted in the spring with purple flowers that bloom in clusters around the upper leaves. The best way to defend against henbit is to grow thicker grasses and keep the lawn healthy.
Choose a turfgrass variety that thrives in your region and ensure proper fertilization, mowing, and watering to promote denser growth. Water your lawn deeply in late summer and fall, but make sure you are not overwatering it as henbits thrive in moist areas. If you want to get rid of henbits, consider using iron-based herbicides. Apply them for 3-4 weeks when these weeds are young and actively growing.
Poison Sumac
Poison sumac, often classified as a small tree, is a shrubby plant that thrives in wet, swampy areas. They often grow alongside cinnamon ferns and cattails. Unlike poison ivy, it doesn't creep along the ground or climb up trees. It has an appealing look owing to the cluster of white berries and vibrant fall colors, which make it a beautiful yet risky addition to the landscape.
You may have to dig them up by hand, smother the plant, or apply herbicides. Regardless of the method, it is advisable always to wear long sleeves, sturdy boots, and protective eyewear when working with poison sumac.
Capeweed
Capeweed usually germinates in the fall, produces seedlings between February and April, and flowers at the end of the spring or early summer. It can be easily confused with stork bill, bitter case, and crow's foot, as they all have similar rosette leaves that form a swirling design low to the ground. However, if you look closer, capeweed can be identified by its whitish undersides.
They must be removed immediately, as they seed very quickly and make the removal task challenging for you. You can use herbicides during the fall, between September and November, and reseed any patches on bare soil to prevent them from growing.
Creeping Jenny
Creepy Jenny, also known as bindweed, may look like a useful addition to your garden. But once it grows all over, you may want to get rid of it. There are two varieties of bindweed - field bindweed and hedge bindweed, which belong to the same family as morning glory. The vines spread all over the lawn to find something to climb on, including fences.
It is advisable to act quickly to remove them by pulling them out manually. However, if you miss a few, they will grow back again, so be mindful when removing the leaves and roots. You can also smother the weed by covering it with some landscape fabric and then placing a layer of mulch over it. This will block the sunlight and stop any seeds from germinating.
Black Medic
Black medic is a broadleaf annual or short-lived perennial that grows about 1-2 feet tall and 1 foot wide in dry sun. They are small and yellow in color, have clover-type leaves, and grow as a dense mat due to their creeping stems. They can be dug or pulled out by hand, or you can use herbicides to get rid of them. Also, keep the soil watered and keep feeding it with organic matter, such as compost.
Dandelions
Dandelions are adored by children but are considered a menace for adults who want to keep their lawns tidy. As a broadleaf weed, dandelions are easy to spot because of their pretty yellow flowers and jagged leaves. They grow with bright yellow flowers that bloom in early spring but quickly become a problem as their fluffy, parachute-like seeds float easily across the yard. This leads to rapid and new growth. They are broadleaf perennial herbs and mostly thrive in moist soil.
The roots of dandelions often reach 6-18 inches below the ground surface and sometimes even deeper. Hence, eliminating them can be tough. You can pull them out, but that does not always help. In addition to pulling them, consider applying broadleaf herbicides to eliminate the problem from its root.
Lambsquarters
Lambsquarters cause several diseases in crops, which makes them a huge concern for your garden beds and vegetables. They have diamond-shaped leaves and have a white and mealy coating underneath. This weed proliferates from black seeds from late spring to early summer. They can grow several feet tall and are commonly found in gardens cultivated fields and produce small, greenish flowers in dense clusters.
Though it is usually considered nutritious, it can become invasive as it grows rapidly and also holds the soil for a very long time. It also contains oxalic acid, which is considered harmful to certain animals. It can easily be removed manually, but it is better to use a shovel if it is mature. Also, using post-emergent herbicides is considered a great option.
Purslane
Purslane can be pretty annoying to deal with, as they spread out across the yard and generate as many as 50,000 seeds. Also, if a tiny bit of leaf or stem is left behind, they'll grow back rapidly. It is often harmful to the grass and plants growing around, as it draws all the major nutrients and moisture from the ground. It has teardrop-shaped leaves, yellow flowers, and red or purple stems, and they usually stay low to the ground.
It is important to take care of them at the earliest to limit the weeds from growing back. When pulling the weed, pull it straight up, holding the center of each rosette. This makes sure that no seed, leaf, or stem is left behind. You can also apply broadleaf herbicide if you have severe infestation.
Quackgrass
Quackgrass has a strong root and is challenging to remove. This weed is also known as quick grass, dog grass, twitch, or couch grass and is easy to spot. It grows quickly and is taller than the rest of the grass. They spread aggressively through underground rhizomes, disrupting, overpowering, and killing the healthy plants in their way.
If you're dealing with a quackgrass infestation, consider using herbicides containing glyphosate. This is because using any other herbicide may not work, as quackgrass shares too many chemical similarities with other grasses, meaning you'd kill everything you spray. If the infestation is too much, it might be necessary to remove the quackgrass along with the surrounding grass and reseed the area.
Common Ragweed
Common ragweed can easily be spotted because of its distinctive fern-like leaves, elongated yellow flowers, and straight stem. They can cause seasonal allergies such as itchy eyes, sneezing, hay fever episodes, etc. Hence, it is advisable to mow the lawn regularly to ensure they don't grow back and wreak havoc.
However, people with allergies should take precautions by wearing dust masks while managing these weeds. You can also increase the nutrients of the soil, as common ragweeds don't thrive in nutrient-rich soil.
Black Nightshade
Black nightshade is a broadleaf annual that can grow up to 2 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. It often appears in garden beds or landscaped areas with rich soil. They thrive in both sunny and shady spots. This plant can take on a bushy or climbing form, showcasing small white or purple flowers followed by purple or red berries.
To control black nightshade, it's best to mulch your garden areas to block its growth. You can hand-pull them, but this only works for small infestations. In case of persistent problems, use a targeted herbicide. It's important to remember that every part of black nightshade, including its fruit, is toxic to both humans and pets if ingested.
Wild Violets
Wild violets grow in shady regions of your lawn and garden. They grow very easily and pretty fast, which means they may overgrow if not taken care of at the earliest. They grow through rhizomes, so they start growing underground. Hence, it can be challenging to dig them up. Alternatively, you can use chemicals that have 2,4-D and dicamba, as they are deemed effective in getting rid of wild violets. Ensure to use them continuously to ensure optimal efficacy.
Japanese Knotweed
Polygonum cuspidatum is known by several names, including Japanese Knotweed and fleece flower. Some other names, like Mexican bamboo or American bamboo, also reference its bamboo-like appearance. Although it blooms in fall and has a soft, fleecy look - hence, the name fleecy flower. It only looks attractive when flowering, and once the season ends, it leaves behind a mass of dead, cane-like stems - which often reach six feet in length.
When it comes to managing Japanese Knotweed it requires a combination of a few strategies. Regular mowing, along with herbicide treatments in spring or early summer, followed by additional applications in early fall, offers the best chance at keeping this persistent weed under control.
Crabgrass
Crabgrass gets the name because the tough creeping lawn weeds grow along the ground, much like a crab. You'll often find it blending into your lawn or sprouting up through cracks and crevices in the sidewalks, walkways, and driveways. You'll spot them mostly when the weather turns hot. Crabgrass spreads through the millions of seeds it produces, usually during spring. So, that's the best time to control them, as they are young and can be easily managed.
It is advisable to use a pre-emergent herbicide early to prevent seeds from germinating. However, if the crabgrass has already emerged, pull it out by hand and use post-emergent herbicides if there are stubborn patches. Also, consider using organic fertilizer, which promotes thicker grass growth that will naturally choke out crabgrass.
Ground Ivy
Ground ivy has several names, such as gill, gill-over-the-ground, and creeping Charlie. Though it is considered a weed, it bears pretty flowers and gives off a pleasant aroma when mowed. It is also widely used as a medicinal herb. If they grow in a smaller area, it's easy to remove them. You can dig and pull the weeds, but it is said to be ineffective, as pulling leaves a few roots behind causes them to grow again.
However, being consistent in pulling out the ground ivy can lead to successful eradication. You can also rely on herbicides, as they are effective too.
