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Weed Identification and Control

Weeds are one of the most common and frustrating lawn care problems. This website has tips and advice on preventing and controlling weeds as well as countless images to help identify the weeds causing you problems.

Lawn and Turf Aeration

Aerating the lawn is one of the most beneficial tasks for the lawn. It helps create a healthy growing environment in the soil and eliminates many lawn care problems. We have information on the different types of aeration and the benefits of each.

Thatch

Thatch is the accumulation of organic matter between the grass plant and the soil. Although a small amount is acceptable and is beneficial to the lawn, too much can cause major problems.

Creating a Problem Free Lawn

Most gardeners desire a thick green carpet of grass, free of weeds, moss and other common lawn problems. This is easier to achieve than most people think.

Feeding the Lawn

All lawns require feeding at various points throughout the year to help maintain good turf vigour. We have tips and advice on what fertiliser to apply for the optimum results.

Showing posts with label starweed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label starweed. Show all posts

Monday, 11 June 2012

Starweed - Buckshorn Plantain

Plantago coronopus
starweed - buckshorn plantain
General - Starweed also widely known as  Buckshorn Plantain  is an annual or perennial weed, it is very common on sandy free draining coastal sites. This weed grows as a flat rosette type plant that can tolerate close mowing.

Leaves - The leaves are long and thin with prominent toothed edges. They are generally hairy but can be occasionally smooth.

Flowers - The small cylindrical flowers are bourn on a long stalk and flower between May and October.

Roots - Starweed produces a strong tap root.

Habitat - This weed can grow in many habitats but prefers sandy free draining soils. It is very common on coastal sites.

Cultural Control - Starweed can be hand weeded, but be sure to remove the whole plant. As weeds are opportunistic and look for bare areas of soil, a good maintenance program that encourages a thick sward will help discourage lawn weeds.

Chemical Control - If the weed is kept in check by the cultural methods, chemicals should rarely be needed to control Starweed. However if the problem is widespread, most selective weed killers will kill this weed. All selective weed killers are more effective during periods of active growth, usually between April and September.