Weeders Digest Spotlight: Chickweed

Chickweed is a difficult weed to get rid of because it is a prolific seeder and it can tolerate a wide range of conditions.

While hopefully your lawn isn't totally overtaken like the photo above, chickweed grows in dense and full, which makes it difficult to get rid of. It's tough to reach the root system through the dense thatch it creates! Also, it grows close to the ground in a prostrate position, meaning it grows out rather than up. Because of this, dense clusters that can form and take over sections of your lawn.

If you're having trouble identifying if the weed problem in your lawn is chickweed, here are some helpful things to look for–

• The leaves are small, smooth, and have a pointed tip
• They produce small white flowers with 5 petals
• Each flower petal looks like a double petal, with a double rounded edge, seen in the photo below

How does chickweed grow so quickly?

Chickweed can produce up to 15,000 seeds per plant, and the seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years. This means that even a small patch of chickweed can quickly spread to form a larger problem.

Chickweed can also tolerate a wide range of conditions, including poor soil, drought, and shade.

In addition, chickweed has a shallow root system, which makes it difficult to remove by hand without disturbing the surrounding soil, or spreading new seeds. This can lead to the chickweed regrowing again.

So, what can you do about it?

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for controlling chickweed. The best approach will vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the conditions in your yard.

If you are having trouble controlling chickweed, you can always count on Top Turf's Fertilization & Weed Control Program to help you out! We're just a call away to get started on a lawn not just free of chickweed, but all weeds.