7 Common Ohio Weeds That Frustrate Cincinnati Homeowners!
You might not agree that Ohio weeds are simply plants in the wrong place, but everyone agrees that some plants seem to always appear where we least want them. The following plants (okay, okay, weeds!) deserve their status as some of the most common lawn weeds creating havoc in our Cincinnati yards.
Table of Contents
- 2 Ways to Classify Ohio Weeds
- 7 Common (and Frustrating) Ohio Weeds
- Final Thoughts on Ohio Weeds
- Related Resources
- Need More Help?
2 Ways to Classify Ohio Weeds
It’s pretty simple. Weeds are classified by their life cycle:
- Annual Weeds grow and set seed in a single growing season. To complicate your life further, there are summer annuals (which start growing in the spring and complete it in the fall), and winter annuals (which start in the fall and finish growing in the spring and early summer.
- Biennial Weeds are classified as having completed their growth over the course of two years.
- Perennial Weeds live for two or more years and do not need to reseed themselves every year.
In addition, Ohio weeds are also categorized by how they look:
- Broadleaf Weeds have wide leaves with netlike veins and varied root systems, like tap roots or fibrous roots.
- Grass Weeds grow in clumps, have coarse spreading leaves, or produce flowers. They can be difficult to spot which makes them challenging to prevent.
7 Common (and Frustrating) Ohio Weeds
Wherever plants grow, weeds follow. Because they’re plants too. But Cincinnati homeowners are familiar with an abundance of unwanted Ohio weeds. They include:
1. White Clover
This familiar low-growing perennial is characterized by three-leaflet leaves and numerous white flowers resembling pompoms. It spreads using its creeping stems that root where nodes touch the soil. Often included in grass mixtures in the past, white clover is still added to some of the cheaper mixtures.
Although it looks pleasant initially, white clover (and other types of clover) soon suffocates desirable lawn grasses. It then fades in hot weather and leaves behind large dead patches.
2. Buckhorn Plantains
The species of Plantago called Buckorn (P. lanceolata) is a common Ohio perennial weed that’s often found in Cincinnati. It has thick fleshy roots with multiple smaller roots, making it a tough plant to remove by hand. Every chunk of root left in the soil will product a new plant.
Plantains in general are are one of the heaviest seed producers in the lawn. The seedheads occur in late spring and early summer and are low enough that the mower passes them by.
3. Chickweed
Annual chickweed is a talented little lawn weeed. It is properly classified as an annual, most a winter annual. However, it also roots at the notes of stems, so it can spread quickly. Chickweed thrives in cool weather.
You’ll normally see it growing quickly in the spring and fall. It does not grow during the head of summer, except in shade or damp conditions. If you see it, your lawn is probably not thick enough or is not thriving due to poor management.One type of chickweed can form a dense mat that can easily smother weak grass.
4. Nut Sedge
Nut Sedge (also spelled nutsedge by some) can drive a person nuts. Sorry, had to do it. Moving on… This weed usually establishes itself in waterlogged soils, and its presence often indicates that drainage is poor or there is too much irrigation. Once established, nutsedge tolerates drought or normal watering conditions.
A normal grass plant sets its leaves in opposite sets of two.. But the nutsedge sets its leaves in sets of three. Nutsedge stems are triangular and it produces “nuts” on the end of its tubers underground to sprout and form new plants. They can continue spreading until they easily occupy 10 to 15 feet across. They are difficult to dig out because the tubers are eight to 14 inches deep.
5. Spurges
Spurges love well-fed lawns. The easiest way to identify a spurge weed is to rip off a leaf or stem. The plant will bleed a milky (and toxic) white juice. It is a hardy plant with dark green leaves and reddish-purple stems. This low-maintenance plant grows well in even bad soil and spreads outward from its base. Most spurges are heavy-seeding annual weeds.
6. Crabgrass
Crabgrass — often confused with grassy lawn weeds like Dallisgrass, Nutsedge, or Nimblewill — is a common nuisance. It thrives in warm months, often appearing in thin spots or along walkways. It has smooth blades (or tiny hairs in its larger variety). As temperatures rise in late spring, its seeds begin germinating, forming small clusters that quickly spread.
Pre-emergent weed treatments are your best defense, but once it becomes visible, it is really tough to get rid of. However, there’s a silver lining. Being an annual weed, crabgrass naturally dies off with frost. The catch? It leaves behind seeds for next year’s invasion. For a beautiful lawn, tackling crabgrass early and consistently is key.
7. Dandelions
If you can’t identify a dandelion, you’ve never been outside in the spring and summer. Dandelions are everywhere! Dandelions have an iconic appearance. Before they turn into those familiar fluffy white puffball seed heads, they appear as a single yellow flower on a hollow stem with jagged basal leaves. And they are incredibly tough to get rid of.
They spread through their fluffy white seed heads (kids, you have to stop blowing them into the wind!), and can also regrow from root fragments left in the soil. And they thrive in moist soil and sunny areas, making well-watered lawns an ideal habitat. This makes complete removal challenging. Dandelions will return year after year if not properly managed.
Final Thoughts on Ohio Weeds
Ohio weeds pose a constant challenge for Cincinnati homeowners. From dandelions to nutsedge, these invasive plants can quickly overtake lawns. But before you can begin to prevent them, you have to identify them.
While controlling lawn weeds can seem daunting, proper lawn care and targeted treatments can keep them in check. Bottom line? Stay vigilant. Know what to look for. Address any issues early and consistently. And don’t be afraid to call in the professionals if you’re having trouble managing these common lawn weeds in Ohio.
Related Resources
- Dallisgrass, the pesky weed that looks like crabgrass.
- Custom lawn care plans…what do you get?
- How long does it take for weed killers to work?
- Lawn diseases!
- Lawn fungus identification and treatments.
- Lesser Celandine: the monster weed killing your lawn.
Need More Help?
If your yard is in trouble with common or uncommon Ohio weeds or lawn diseases, we can help? Just contact American Landscapes here for a free, no-obligation estimate. Or call us at (513) 947-8727.
You can also learn more about our lawn care applications and treatments, landscaping, and outdoor lighting services by reading our blog. In addition to fertilizer and weed control, we provide mosquito control, lawn aeration, lawn seeding, and much more.
