Common Weeds in North Carolina

Now that spring is in full swing and summer will soon arrive, most people's vegetable and flower gardens are growing and blooming quite nicely. In order to keep your garden looking great and producing adequate amounts of flowers or vegetables, you must keep annoying weeds at bay. If you don't properly rid your garden of pesky weeds, they can sometimes take over your entire garden, but what works for one weed may not work for others. If you live in the state of North Carolina, this guide gives you information about weeds common to this particular state as well as how to get rid of them.

Buckhorn Plantain - this fibrous-root perennial has long, narrow leaves. This weed grows in poorly managed turf grasses and can be eradicated before the plant matures by pulling it by hand. Keeping your lawn aerated is another way to successfully manage this particular weed.

Curly Dock - another broadleaf perennial, this weed has long curly leaves that often grow horizontally. Trimec Bentgrass, which can be purchased at just about any home and garden store, is a great herbicide that can be used to eradicate large amounts of Curly Dock, although this weed is relatively easy to control in regularly tilled areas without herbicides.

Dandelion - Although certain parts of this particular weed has some medicinal properties, no one wants this bright yellow flower-looking weed taking over their garden or lawn. Since dandelion is very resistant to eradication and is spread by root as well as seeds, pulling this weed is not always the best way to rid your lawn and garden of it. If you do choose to pull the weed instead of using an herbicide, you'll need to be sure to pull its entire root. If you do choose to use an herbicide, a good choice is Speed Zone Southern, and can be found at your local lawn and garden store.

Wild Garlic - this weed is a winter perennial that grows to be about 8 - 12 inches tall. The weed is very aromatic, which makes it easily detectable. Q4 Turf Herbicide for Grassy and Broadleaf Weeds is a good choice for eradication, and can be found wherever you purchase garden and lawn products.

White Clover - this weed looks like tiny white flowers and can cover your entire lawn if not properly controlled. The weed is a winter perennial that spreads when its stem comes into contact with the soil. Since this weed's active growth starts in cooler weather, the best time to apply herbicide is during cool weather, such as in late fall and even early winter. A good herbicide is Speed Zone Southern.

Mosses - Most mosses are perennial and grow from spores instead of seeds. They grow in a mat-like manner and can be eradicated by the use of lime, iron or copper, which alters the PH unfavorably. Blade Selective Herbicide for Turf grass is great for ridding your yard or garden of this weed.

References

Urban Integrated Pest Management - cipm.ncsu.edu/ent/southern_region/ripm/chap5/pereweed.htm

All About Lawns - Getting Rid of Common Weeds -

　http://www.allaboutlawns.com/lawn-weeds-pests/broadleaf-weeds.php