Weeds are plants that grow well in disturbed habitats, plants that are not wanted, or that interfere with human activities or natural systems. Traditionally, undesirable plants are controlled using preemergence herbicides, postemergence herbicides, biocontrol, and cultural management which is the use of primary cultural practices mowing, fertilization, and irrigation, and other methods to adjust environmental conditions to make them more suitable for desirable turfgrasses. Prevention, quarantine, and control of satellite populations are very helpful.
In turfgrasses, weeds are classified into broad botanical groups (broadleaf, grassy, and sedge), life cycle groups (perennials, biennials, and annuals), and functional groups (noxious weeds, exotic invasive plants, and ruderal plants). Ideally plants of all kinds should be identified by scientific name which is a latinized two-part name, but sometimes these broad groups make it easier to generalize and communicate. Accurate identification of unknown plants is necessary to prevent new weeds from getting established.
Weeds occur in lawns, golf courses, sports fields, and other areas because the environment makes it possible for them to compete with the planted turfgrass species. Natural grasslands normally support species diversity including broadleaf plants which in that situation are called forbs. An urban example of a diverse grass ecosystem has been called, “mixed urban meadow,” and this can provide many of the conservation benefits of turfgrass.
The opposite of a weedy turf is a monoculture, a turfgrass area composed of a single species. This kind of landscape, while requiring more attention to chemicals to perpetuate a monoculture, can often perform best for high intensity use such as golf courses and sports fields.
michaeldeep – posted 22 March 2011 19:34 i have 3 weeds that i need help identifying. i have a fescue lawn in north carolina. i have had it with these weeds and i need some help please!! http://s1040.photobucket.com/albums/b402/michaeldeep/weeds/
nlandman – posted 24 March 2011 19:56 Hello I live in Orlando, FL and have St. Augustine in my yard. We had several areas around our yard that were full of weeds after chinch bugs and sod webworms got into…
pyro – posted 31 May 2011 15:46 it seems to be more prominent in flower beds, however it does pop up every now and again on the edge of the lawn. http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/pyromaniac6565/homes/House/Outside/DSC00154.jpghttp://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/pyromaniac6565/homes/House/Outside/DSC00155.jpg turfgrass – posted 21 July 2011 19:05 chamber…
AustinAl – posted 02 August 2011 16:27 Can anyone identify this weed, growing in my emerald zoyzia lawn? It is a wiry, tough weed which appears to propagate with rhizomes. Stem and roots very tough. Spreads through the turf and…
dammit123 – posted 30 August 2011 22:10 Working to save my infield from a large amount of crabgrass. Let me know your thoughts: Hit it with Q4 on 8/23 which has turned a lot of it brown, though can’t tell…
pyro – posted 04 September 2011 13:04 What is this? I thought it was some form of crabgrass, however the baking soda trick seems to only yellow it (after 2 days) and it seems to have done more harm to…
hmaz – posted 01 October 2011 11:29 I live in L.A county and have St Augustine grass, for the last few years I have planted rye grass in late OCT., so when the SA goes dormant in winter I have…
rfhjr – posted 22 February 2012 19:24 Planted some Compadre Zoysia seed last summer and had some crabgrass problems. What is a good pre emergence herbicide for crab grass. I have heard some things about Treflan, Surflan, and even Corn…
breakpoint – posted 22 March 2011 00:00 I have St. Augustine grass and so are my neighbors. It all started with a small area. After mowing the lawn, it took over in the past few weeks. All my neighbors have…
SandiR – posted 16 August 2010 12:57 I recently sprayed MSMA on my Empire Zoysia at a rate of 8 tsp per 2-1/2 gallons of water. I’m wondering approximately how long it should take before I see any results? Thanks!…