Black Medic

Medicago lupulina

General Information: Black Medic can be both an annual and perennial weed. It is very similar in appearance to Lesser Trefoil (Yellow Suckling Clover), however Black Medic is less common than Lesser Trefoil, especially on fine turf as it is usually confined to neglected lawns. The main difference and the best way to distinguish between the two weeds, is that the seed pods turn black at the end of the season on Black Medic (see pictures below).

Leaf: Black Medic leaves form as 3 leaflets similar in appearance to White Clover and Lesser Trefoil. The leaflets of Black medic can have a pointed tip (not always the case), which is not seen on the others.

Flower: The small yellow flowers can be seen between the months of April and October. Again similar to Yellow Suckling Clover, but when ripe the pods turn black on Black Medic.

Preferred Habitat: Black Medic prefers nutrient deficient, dry soils, particularly on lawns that have been neglected.

Cultural control: As this weed is an annual hand weeding can prove effective, especially if the plants are few in number. Maintain good turf vigour with a balanced feed program, this will encourage a thick coverage of grass to help discourage weeds invading. Regular light scarification or raking prior to mowing will help remove and weaken Black Medic.

Chemical Control: If however they have spread into larger patches, chemical control will be necessary using a selective weed killer from the list below. In most cases more than one application will be needed for successful control, as Black medic is a stubborn weed to control with chemicals. Once the weed has been removed or controlled the bare area can be filled with a mixture of suitable soil and grass seed to aid recovery.

Read More

Cats Ear

Hypochaeris radicata

General - Cats Ear has a perennial lifecycle and is a problem weed on all types of lawn.

It grows in a prostate rosette type appearance and will quite happily tolerate close mowing.

Cats Ear has some similarities with the Dandelion in its appearance.

However the leaves on Cats Ear are hairy and the lobes are more rounded.

Leaves - The lance shaped leaves are hairy and irregularly lobed. They form in a rosette appearance.

Flowers - Cats Ear flowers are similar to those of the Dandelion but smaller in size. They can be seen between May to September

Roots - Cats Ear has a deep tap root.

Habitat -This weed can grow on a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers sandy free draining soils.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding Cats Ear can be effective, however make sure the whole root is removed or it can regenerate.

Mow the lawn regularly and remove the clippings to prevent flower and seed head formation.

Maintain turf nutrition with a balanced fertiliser program, this will encourage a healthy vigorous sward that will discourage weed invasion.

Chemical Control - Cats Ear can be controlled using a weed killer. Choose a selective weed killer that contains 2,4-D and mecoprop-p or 2,4-D and dicamba or clopyralid and fluroxypyr.

Any of these formulations should be effective against Cats Ear, however a further application maybe needed for satisfactory results.

Read More

Procumbent Pearlwort

Sagina procumbens

General - Procumbent Pearlwort is a perennial weed which forms as a low growing mat. It can be quite troublesome in closely mown turf as it tolerates closely mown lawns.

It can be a difficult weed to identify as it is sometimes confused with moss. Leaves - The leaves of Procumbent Pearlwort are small and narrow.

Flowers - The small flowers have either white or green petals and are bourn on a thin stalk. Pearlwort flowers between May and September.

Roots - Procumbent Pearlwort has a fibrous root system.

Habitat - Procumbent Pearlwort can thrive in all soil types, especially moist conditions where the grass is mown very short.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding may be effective for a few plants. Keeping the grass in a healthy condition via feeding, aeration and regular mowing at a sensible height will help prevent any thin or bare areas in the lawn.
 
Chemical Control - Ideally stay on top of this weed with the cultural methods as it is a difficult weed to control with chemicals.

However if it has become widespread choose a selective weed killer containing mixtures of 2,4-D and mecoprop-p or 2,4-D and dicamba or clopyralid and fluroxypyr.

A further application will be needed to control this weed. For the best results selective weed killers should be applied during periods of active growth usually between April and September.

Read More

Creeping Buttercup

Ranunculus repens

General - Creeping Buttercup is a perennial weed that spreads by seed and overground runners called stolons.

This weed can adapt to mowing heights making it a common weed in mown turf especially in wet poorly drained soil conditions.

Leaves - The leaves have 3 lobes, the upper lobe is stalked. The leaves of Creeping Buttercup are deeply toothed and can either be smooth or hairy.

Flowers - The flowers produce 6 to 9 yellow petals 20mm to 30mm in diameter. Creeping Buttercup flowers between April to August.

Roots - The weed has a fibrous root system which regenerates from the nodes.

Habitat - Creeping Buttercup prefers wet heavy soils. This weed is often an indicator of drainage problems in turf.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding can be effective, taking care to remove the whole plant. Regular mowing will suppress seed head formation. Encouraging a tight, healthy lawn will help prevent weeds invading the lawn.

Chemical Control - Creeping Buttercup can be controlled using a selective weed killers, however this method of control should only be used when necessary.

Choose a weed killer that contains 2,4-D and (mecoprop-p or dicamba). Alternatively a weed killer that contains fluroxypyr should be effective against this weed. For the best results treat weeds when they are actively growing, this is usually between April and September.

Read More