Hard to Control Weeds?

If you’re seeing weeds that just don’t want to go away, they are typically growing on a vine that runs on the soil surface. Often, you will notice that the initial starting point for growth is in your garden or flower bed, or may even be coming under the fence from a neighbor’s yard. Let’s take a look at some of the most common offenders.

Ground Ivy

Ground Ivy (also known as Creeping Charley) has rounded, scalloped leaves about the size of a quarter. Light blue to purple flowers bloom April to July.

Creeping Veronica

Also known as Speedwell, this plant loves moist soils where its oval, bright green leaves with scalloped edges do well. It also has tiny white flowers with lavender edges.

Wild Violets

Wild Violet leaves are dark green with a rounded, heart shaped look. Flowers bloom from April to June and can be white, purple, yellow or a combination of all.

Clover

The popular Clover favors many shapes and sizes, but perhaps most common is the White Clover. Its 3 leaflets and globe-like white flowers grow from May to September.

Why are these weeds so persistent?

The growth habit of these plants make them less susceptible to common weed control products. This ‘viney’ growth habit coupled with their small leaves do not permit very much herbicide to come in contact with the plant initially. A thick waxy cuticle then repels any herbicide that may come in contact with it. Combined, these growth habits allow these plants to withstand normal applications of weed control products and thrive.

The best ways to counteract weed problems

The best defense against any kind of weed invasion is to grow and maintain a strong, healthy lawn. At Contender’s we have chosen to use the best weed control products available that unlike simply using 2,4-D we rely on a newer class of weed control that attacks the top growth, its crown or epicenter and then goes after the roots and stolons in such an effective way that no weed has a chance to persist. We also apply our weed control products in the safest manner, which means we aren’t blanket spraying year-round unnecessarily. We combat weeds via careful spot treating and it works great!