All landscapers or homeowners with a green thumb know the damage lawn weeds can cause, but many people struggle to spot the signs of a weed invasion before it is too late. Weeds steal valuable nutrients and resources from your lawn and your garden plants, resulting in weaker growth and a generally unhealthy yard.
We want every homeowner in the Champaign area to be able to prevent weeds from taking over their yard, so here is our list of the most common weeds you will face in your Illinois lawn and how to identify them!
Clovers are very common weeds in the United States, and white clovers are particularly popular weeds in Illinois. These broadleaf perennials spread via their stolons, which are stems that grow outward and down to the ground until they find a moist patch of soil in which to take root and sprout new plants. The most recognizable parts of this weed are its soft, white flowers and its grouping of 3 leaves, which often have a white “V” on each individual petal-shaped leaf. White clovers thrive in nitrogen-deficient lawns, so it is important to make sure you are fertilizing properly and taking care of your soil.
Quick Identification:
From vibrant yellow flowers to delicate seed heads, dandelions are one of the easiest types of weeds to identify across lawns in Illinois. You may remember kicking or blowing on the soft seed heads of dandelions as a child to watch the cotton-like tips scatter across the yard; however, what you were actually doing was spreading the seeds of harmful weeds. As a perennial broadleaf weed, dandelions are strong and well-suited to harsh winter weather, and they will go dormant in winter to prepare to emerge in the following spring.
Quick Identification:
This hardy broadleaf plant is an annual weed that starts to sprout in late summer, goes dormant in winter, and sets seed in the following spring, at which point the plant dies, and the cycle starts over. This weed is identifiable by its tiny, white-to-pink flowers and its flat leaves that are often described as egg-shaped leaves that come to a point. Another way to identify chickweed in your yard is by looking for thick matting or mounds of intertwined stems, as is typical when dealing with common chickweed.
Quick Identification:
There are different types of violets, but the common blue violet is likely the type you are used to seeing on your lawn. Flowers of purple or blue sit above the heart-shaped leaves of this weed, and the flowers are often angled slightly downward. Though they are pretty to look at, these perennial weeds have resilient roots that will damage and invade existing root systems in your lawn’s soil. You will see the flowers blooming in spring and wilting when temperatures start to rise, but the strong weeds will continue to grow if they are not treated.
Quick Identification:
This is one of many types of spurges, and it is an especially prevalent weed in Illinois. While you may see this weed on your lawn, you will likely find it in flower beds and near shrubbery. This is a low-growing weed that spreads outward, and you can easily identify it by its heart-shaped leaves that feature reddish spots. Spotted spurge is a fierce weed that will mat together and become difficult to remove, and the plant even produces a milky sap that causes mild rashes and irritations if one comes into contact with it.
Quick Identification:
If you are looking at a tubular, pink or purple flower that has tiny hairs on the top petal and a square stem, you are probably looking at henbit. The stems of henbit can grow up to 16 inches long, can be either a green or purplish color, and have rounded or heart-shaped leaves that are covered in tiny hairs. This winter annual will germinate in fall and start growing during early spring. As part of the mint family, some people choose to let these weeds grow and even harvest them, but their roots are as invasive as other weeds and could lead to a weaker lawn.
Quick Identification:
Purple deadnettle and henbit are two of the most commonly misidentified weeds in lawns. As another part of the same mint family as henbit, purple deadnettle also grows in early spring in areas where turf is struggling. Like henbit, purple deadnettle has a square stem, but the stem may be a darker color and stand more upright than that of henbit. The leaves of purple deadnettle are more triangular, scalloped, and they often have a deep reddish or purple color near the flower. The flowers of deadnettle are purple-to-red and more bulbous than henbit flowers.
Quick Identification:
Annual bluegrass (commonly referred to as Poa Annua), often mistaken for desirable grass species, features narrow, boat-shaped leaves and inconspicuous flowers. This cool-season annual tends to form patches in lawns, especially in compacted soils. The boat-shaped leaves and the distinct growth pattern are key identifiers. Annual bluegrass can be identified by patches that differ in texture and color from the surrounding turf, and be sure to examine the leaves closely. Early detection is essential for effective management, and addressing soil compaction issues can help prevent the proliferation of annual bluegrass in your lawn.
Quick Identification:
Goosegrass is an annual grass weed with flattened stems and distinctive spiky seed heads. Forming rosettes close to the ground, this weed is commonly found in lawns with heavy foot traffic, creating unsightly patches. The spiky seed heads are a key identifier, and goosegrass can thrive in compacted soils. To spot goosegrass, look for its prostrate growth habit and inspect areas where the grass forms dense, low clusters. Implementing measures to alleviate soil compaction is essential for preventing the proliferation of goosegrass in your lawn.
Quick Identification:
Crabgrass is one of the most well-known weeds to all homeowners and landscapers. Crabgrass germinates, lives, and dies all in the same year, but its seeds will allow new crabgrass to emerge in the following summer. A single crabgrass plant can produce 150,000 seeds, which, when combined with its strong and deep roots, makes this weed difficult to control. As a grassy weed, crabgrass is often mistaken for normal turfgrass, but it can be differentiated by its flat, wide leaves and multi-branched stems that are often likened in appearance to crab legs.
Quick Identification:
Whether you are dealing with tricky grassy weeds or unsightly broadleaf weeds, your lawn and plants are suffering if weeds are present. Knowing how to properly identify these common weeds is the best start to combating the damage they can cause in your yard. If you are interested in the best weed control and fertilization service in Champaign, Illinois, be sure to call Merrill Landscape Services today for more information!
