Weeds
Quality Results For HomeownersWho Appreciate The Difference!
Weeds
Broadleaf and nutsedge
weed control
is vital in maintaining a lush, beautiful south Florida
lawn. Controlling these pesky weeds
takes knowledge and precision. Let our professionals do the job the right way! Below are some of the most common weeds in our area. Click on the link to University of Florida for a more extensive list of weeds common to south Florida on the "News You Can Use" page of our website.
Dollarweed
The presence of dollarweed indicates that there is excessive moisture in the area. Monitoring moisture levels and evaluating irrigation frequency are the first steps to controlling dollarweed. A properly maintained landscape that is not stressed by insects, diseases, drought or nutrient imbalance is the best defense against weeds. Dollarweed thrives in weak, thin turf with excessive moisture. After taking steps to modify the lawn care techniques, a chemical control may still be necessary to further reduce the dollarweed population. Herbicides should be chosen according to turf species and applied at certain times during the year.
Nutsedge
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) grows upright to form dense clumps. Its habit resembles that of many grasses, but nutsedge is not a grass and is not in the grass family (Poaceae). Many herbicides are available that provide excellent postemergence grass control (Envoy, Fusilade, Vantage, et al.), however, these products will not control nutsedge (that is, 0% control!). There are different varieties of nutsedge - yellow nutsedge is just one example.
Spotted Spurge
A summer annual that often forms dense mats that may reach 16 inches in diameter. All parts of the plant emit a milky sap when broken. Spotted spurge if found throughout the eastern half of the United States and also in California and Oregon. This plant primarily occurs as a weed of landscapes, nurseries, turf grass, lawns, and some agronomic crops. Other varieties of spurge are found in southern Florida and can also be eliminated from lawn.
Crabgrass
The lawn weed, crabgrass is a warm-season annual weed, which means it reproduces by seed. The most effective preventative for crabgrass is preemergent herbicides at the right time of year. Preemergent herbicides (also spelled "pre-emergent") come in either granular or liquid form and kill crabgrass seedlings as they germinate. Think of preemergent herbicides as forming an invisible shield across the soil surface that stops emerging crabgrass dead in its tracks. This shield image will serve as a reminder not to practice core aeration on lawns after applying preemergent herbicides, since doing so would only "puncture" the shield. It is best controlled by applying preemergent herbicides every four months.