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They're the bane of any garden - ugly, aggravating weeds that can not only ruin the aesthetics of your flowerbed, or landscaped garden but in some cases even effect its growth. So what should you do when you notice them creeping into your territory? Here are a few common garden weeds, how to identify them, and most importantly how to eliminate them. NAME: Clovers APPEARANCE: Green leaflets that produce shamrocks and small clusters of red and yellow buds. TREATMENT: Clovers are often an indication of poor soil quality. Treat the outbreaks with a high-quality herbicide, then go over your lawn or garden with a fertilizer. Make sure to follow through with a hydration routine or the clovers will come back! NAME: Japanese Knotweed APPEARANCE: Large green weeds that can grow up to 7ft tall, with cream-colored flowers and hollow stems that can resemble bamboo. TREATMENT: The good news is that Japanese knotweed can be dealt with if treated professionally. The bad news is that if you use a herbicide, you'll have to do it again and again to make sure it doesn't grow back. Japanese knotwood is extremely resilient; it makes reserves in the soil that "hibernate" even after you dig up the flowering plant by the root. Your best bet at total elimination is to use a customized removal system like the Xtract machine from Environet UK. NAME: Witchgrass APPEARANCE: Long, skinny stalks with fine hairs ("witches hair") and seeds. Up close they may resemble a cactus. TREATMENT: Witchgrass has its uses - birds eat and occasionally transport the seeds, bringing insects to the area and diversifying the ecosystem - but in excess it has the tendency to cluster and block new growth from other plants. Cut them down and treat the soil like you would any other weed. NAME: Sandburs APPEARANCE: Small clusters of sharp yellow seeds. Ouch! TREATMENT: Sandburs are an inconvenient - and painful - infestation, especially around front lawns and driveways. The tiny seeds can get caught in everything from socks to puppy paws, and then they detach and spread to other areas. The best treatment is prevention - apply a pre-emergent herbicide well before summertime so sandburs never have a chance to grow. If they're already a problem, however, you're stuck with mowing. NAME: Dandelion APPEARANCE: Small flowers with round, bulbous heads of seeds (white) or petals (yellow). TREATMENT: Kids love them, and they're only slightly less delicious than chocolate, but the sad truth is that even dandelions are a weed. They're resilient, resistant flowers that will consume your entire lawn if you let them. Mowing is a quick fix, but it isn't enough - you'll also need to treat the soil and even root them out by hand. For a particularly rough infestation, try treating them with vinegar or boiling water.
While some weeds can simply be an annoyance, others like Japanese knotweed can be a serious problem, causing damage to buildings and even affecting the value of your property. If you think you have knotweed, don't leave it too late - call in the professionals.
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