Those with lawns that have received a lot of rain or are positioned in a spot that doesn’t receive much sun may notice chickweed beginning to appear within the grass.
If you see chickweed in lawn you may like to remove it. The good news is that chickweed can easily be removed with a little knowledge, time, and the right tools. Read on to learn a bit about chickweed control.
What is chickweed?
Chickweed is a weed plant that can often be found on lawns. The weed is identifiable by its small, white flowers. It grows low to the ground, sometimes blending in with the grass when viewed at a distance. Chickweed can attract bees to your lawn, which might be unwanted for those with pets or small children. While it generally isn’t a harmful plant, you may wish to remove chickweed grass to improve the aesthetic look of your yard or reduce bee activity within your garden.
Why is my lawn full of chickweed?
Chickweed can appear in lawns of many different conditions. Often, it begins showing up in yards during the winter, when lawns have received a large amount of rain and not much sunshine. This weed thrives in moist environments and can quickly take over an area if left unchecked. If you’re noticing chickweed in your lawn, it’s likely time to take action and remove it.
Types of chickweed
There are several different types of chickweed that can be found within Australian gardens. These include:
- Common Chickweed
- Mouse-ear Chickweed
- Star Chickweed
In this blog, we’ll be focusing on how to remove Common Chickweed from your lawn.
How to get rid of chickweed in lawn
The first step for removing chickweed grass from your lawn is to identify where the chickweed is growing. Common Chickweed typically grows in small patches and has white flowers. Once the chickweed has been identified, you can begin the removal process.
Manual removal
One of the easiest ways to remove chickweed is to manually remove them by hand. This can be done by using a hand weeder – a gardening tool that is used to remove weeds by their roots. If you don’t have a hand weeder, you can also use a sharp spade or shovel to dig out the chickweed. Be sure to remove as much of the weed’s root system as possible, as this will help to prevent it from growing back. If there are large patches of dirt left where the chickweed has been removed, consider filling them in with grass seed. This will help to restore the look of your lawn and prevent the chickweed from growing back. Physical removal of the weed is a more natural option, however, if you have a large amount of chickweed to remove, you may instead wish to go with a weed killer.
Another way to get rid of chickweed in lawn is by using a weed killer. There are many different types of weed killers on the market, so be sure to select one that is suited for chickweed. Most weed killers will need to be applied directly to the weed’s leaves in order to be effective. Be sure to read the product label carefully and follow all instructions for use.
Preventative measures
If you’re having trouble with reoccurring chickweed grass outbreaks, you may want to take some preventative measures to help reduce the chances of it growing on your lawn again.
One way to do this is by increasing the amount of sunlight your lawn receives. Chickweed does not thrive in sunny environments, so providing your lawn with more sun will help to deter its growth. This can be done by trimming back trees that are casting shadows over your lawn, or removing shade sails that are providing coverage. You can also try watering your lawn less often, as this will help to create a drier environment that is less hospitable to chickweed.
Seeing chickweed pop up in your lawn can be a bit of an annoyance, but it doesn’t spell the end of your beautiful lawn! With a little knowledge and the right tools, you can remove the chickweed plant and restore your grass to its former glory.
Be sure to take the time to identify where the weed is growing and remove as much of the weed’s root system as possible. Alternatively, spray the chickweed with a suitable weed killer to remove it from your garden. If chickweed is a recurring problem in your lawn, you may want to take some preventative measures to help reduce its growth.
Need a hand with your chickweed control? Your local Jim’s Mowing would be more than happy to assist with chickweed removal and finding solutions to help prevent future outbreaks.
Keep your lawn in pristine condition with our professional lawn mowing and gardening services. Book now!