In our first episode of Lawnhub Labs, Adam is in the studio to help you identify some of the most common weeds you'll find in your lawn, especially during the cooler winter months in Australia. He's braved the cold to gather a catalog of common broadleaf weeds and others that can be difficult to control.
Learn how to identify them and the best ways to treat them, including professional-grade products. In this video, Adam covers:
Prickly Lettuce: A common broadleaf weed with prickly thorns on its stem, found in turf and open areas. Easily controlled with a common broadleaf herbicide.
Thistle: A common broadleaf weed around Australia, identifiable by its growth pattern from the stem outwards. Also controlled with a broadleaf herbicide. White Clover: A very common weed, which matures to have white rings on its leaves and a white flower. It spreads rapidly but is easily controlled with selective broadleaf herbicides like NSFW.
Ryegrass (Pest Weed): Often confused with perennial ryegrass used as a lawn, this invasive weed can inhibit other grass growth. Key indicator is pink and purple bases. Can be controlled with products like Duke.
Soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae): A nemesis for many, often mistaken for clover. Identifiable by black markings on the leaf and a yellow flower. Very difficult to control in turf as there are no registered products, but painting with products like glyphosate is an option.
Winter Grass (Poa Annua): A super common, widespread nemesis of Australian Lawns. Known for building herbicide resistance. Identified by its seed head and a distinct lighter green colour. Control options vary by lawn type, including Poacheck for Couch and Buffalo, and Nominee for Ryegrass and Fescue. David Grays Winter Grass Killer (Propyzamide) is also an option for Couch. Very difficult to control in Kikuyu lawns.
Mallow: An intrusive and invasive weed that can grow quite tall in ideal conditions, but typically smaller in lawns. Can be pulled by hand, or controlled with a common broadleaf herbicide, possibly requiring multiple applications due to its deep roots.
Burr medic has easily distinguishable characteristics including a small yellow flower, prickles, and lines in the leaf. It grows from a single stem and propagates laterally. Can be hand-pulled or controlled with a general broadleaf herbicide, and Duke can also be effective.
Important Reminders: Always read the product label in full for application timings, rates, and safety information. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): It is crucial to wear correct PPE as instructed on the product label.
Products Mentioned (always read the label for specific use and safety):
