Weed problems – ID please

jjm2958 – posted 17 September 2007 19:09

Hello everyone,I am a recent first-time homeowner and am hoping to get a handle on our yard. It is St. Augustine (although which variety – I have no idea unfortunately). We live in Cedar Park (Austin), TX. I’ve been trying to find out what these two weeds are that are in our yard. The broadleaf weed is here and there – not a big deal. The other one, which is very very invasive and is taking over the yard, is viney and apparently has stumped several of the garden/nursery workers here.

Any ideas?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredmartin/1398819655/http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredmartin/1398819391/

Thanks,Jared

TexanOne – posted 18 September 2007 01:44

The unidentified weed is Convolvulus Arvesis / Common name: Bindweed. It is a very invasive weed but control is fairly straightforward. Take a look at this information:

Texas A&M’s weed website:

http://aggie-turf.tamu.edu/answers4you/grasswee/broadlf/bindweed.html

Urban Detective’s website (click on “Bindweed”):

http://www.grreatideas.com/weed-id.html

Here is probably the most effective herbicide you can safely use on St Augustine:

http://www.pbigordon.com/professional/page.php?id=301

You may have to search around for Trimec Southern herbicide because it is generally not sold in the large chain garden stores (Lowe’s, Home Depot), but it can usually be found in businesses that are exclusively garden centers or nurseries. If you cannot find it locally, you can always order it online.

Trimec Southern is an excellent all around herbicide to have for St Augustine because it will control numerous weeds. By the way, Bindweed is a pest in West Texas too…

Trimec Southern will effectively control bindweed. I am not sure about the first picture, but it too is a broadleaf weed. However, I would bet a buck Trimec Southern will wipe out the weed in the first photo too.

[This message has been edited by TexanOne (edited 18 September 2007).]

jjm2958 – posted 18 September 2007 08:02

Great – thanks very much for the info! I just put some SA sod down in a few areas last weekend. When I spray, should I skip putting it on the sod until it is better rooted? I’ll probably put this down asap so it can start working.

TexanOne – posted 18 September 2007 13:11

I think it would be alright if you used the Trimec on the new sod, but I am not 100% sure.

Normally, herbicides tend to damage emerging turfgrass planted from seed because the plants are very young and tender. In the case of sod, the turfgrass is already mature and should be ok if herbicides are applied. There is also a high likelihood any sod you buy has already been exposed to all kinds of herbicides and pesticides at the production farm.

If I were you in this case, I would probably attempt to avoid spraying the new sod for a few weeks, but I wouldn’t panic if I did accidentally did get a little Trimec on the new sod – I think it will ok.

Hope this helps!

jjm2958 – posted 26 September 2007 11:33

Well, I’m happy to report that a product called “Weed Free Zone” wiped out the bindweed. I had a hard time finding Trimec Southern but apparently this is Trimec plus another chemical.

Hopefully it’ll be easier to prevent now that 99% of it is dead (that I can see anyway).

Thanks again for advice…