May 18th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

If you are an avid gardener then you will likely know that with the warmer weather of spring and summer comes the growth of stubborn and sometimes unsightly weeds. Some of these can be extremely difficult to get rid of even with the help of weed killers. In this blog, we will discuss some of the most common weeds you will find in your yard and how best to deal with them.

Why Are Weeds a Problem?

If you are new to gardening then you might be wondering why weeds can pose such an issue. Well, the most common reason weeds are the bane of most gardeners is that not they look unsightly, but when you spend months caring for and cultivating your yard having the appearance ruined by an invasion of weeds can be frustrating, however, it goes beyond appearance. Weeds are direct competition for the more desirable plants and since they often outgrow them that means your own plants can quickly become nutrient deficient stunting their growth and sometimes preventing them from flowering what’s more they offer a great home for pests that will cause further damage to your plants.

So now we know why we need to get rid of weeds, let’s take a look at some common and stubborn weeds:

Knotweed

Knotweed is a perennial weed that grows in wet areas and can invade your garden. It has heart-shaped leaves, clusters of white flowers and thick stems that grow up to three feet tall. Knotweed spreads quickly by seed, rhizomes (underground stems) and tubers. If you have it in your yard, you'll want to remove it before it takes over. In order for knotweed plants to grow successfully, they need at least six hours of sunlight each day as well as moist soil with high fertility levels or plenty of water from rainfall.

The best way to get rid of Knotweed, particularly its most stubborn type Japanese Knotweeds, a chemical weed killer usually containing Glyphosate would need to be used – this needs to be applied at the right time in the right way in order to be effective. This is usually best applied to new growth and placed directly on foliage. However, there is no quick treatment for this type of weed and multiple retreatments will be needed before the weed finally leaves for good.

Mares Tail

"Mare's tail" is a common name for a weed known as horseweed or Conyza Canadensis. Mare's tail will quickly spread and become invasive if left untreated. This weed is notoriously difficult to handle because one or two unsuspecting mares’ tails can soon spread to a full invasion, they also have a waxy layer that protects them which makes it difficult for weed killers to be absorbed and take effect.

The best way to treat mare’s tail is to manually remove the mare's tail by pulling it out by hand or using a weeding tool. Ensure that you remove the entire root system to prevent regrowth. For more established or larger areas then it is recommended to use a chemical Glyphosate weed killer, before applying this you should crush the weeds the best you can in order to break up the waxy layer, this will make it much easier for the weed killer to be absorbed and to do its job. You can also prevent them from growing by applying a thick layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw, around desirable plants to smother and suppress the mare's tail growth. This method helps prevent sunlight from reaching the weed and inhibits its germination.

Creeping thistle

Creeping thistle is a perennial weed that has spiny leaves and pink or purple flowers. It grows in all climate zones but thrives mostly in sandy soils with low fertility. Creeping thistles can be identified by their long taproot and creeping stems that root at the nodes, forming dense mats around plants or along the ground.

It's important to get rid of creeping thistle because it spreads quickly, preventing other plants from growing nearby. Once established, this weed will take over your lawn! If you want your grassy areas free of creeping thistles once and for all--and who doesn’t --you'll need some help getting rid of them. Glyphosate weed killers can be used or if you want a non-chemical solution you can regularly cut or mow the thistle plants before they produce seeds. This method helps weaken the plants over time however, it may take multiple mowing over several seasons to effectively control creeping thistle using this method.

Dandelion

Dandelions are a common weed that can be hard to get rid of. They're perennial plants, which means they grow all year long, but they thrive in the spring and summer months. Dandelions have yellow flowers with white centres that turn into seeds when they bloom. Their leaves have jagged edges and grow in groups of three (the scientific name for dandelion is "Taraxacum officinale")

Dandelions are incredibly difficult to get rid of by hand since they have long roots which makes it difficult to remove them effectively this way. Chemical weed killers are usually the best option although since these often grow in lawns you may need to consider a selective weed killer to avoid causing damage to surrounding grass and plants.

We hope you have found this post informative and helpful. We know that weeds can be a pain to deal with, but they don't have to be! The most important thing is to know which ones are common in your area and how best to get rid of them before they get out of hand. If you really struggle to keep weeds under control then you can contact a professional to seek advice. Likewise, it is also worth noting not all weeds are bad so if you would lie to achieve a biodiverse garden you can do some research on the