No, you’re not imagining it. Lawn weeds in Texas grow faster than lawn grass between cuttings. And unfortunately, weeds not only consume the water, fertilizer and sunlight meant for desirable plants and grasses, they can also spread plant diseases as insects migrate from one plant to the next.
Here are some of the weeds that are most likely to crop up in your lawn:
1. Poison ivy, pigweed, purslane, chickweed
More commonly known as broad-leaf weeds, these pests thrive in disturbed soil. They have adapted to cover bare ground quickly and stabilize soil.
2. Bermuda grass, Johnson grass and grassbur
The weeds in this group resemble grass but with two important differences. They are prolific seed-producers and usually have large seed heads. They also have tough root systems to help them recover from grazing pressure in the wild.
3. Crabgrass, henbit, sandbur, wild oats, wooly cupgrass and barnyard grass
These annuals grow one or two seasons and produce seeds that sprout when weather conditions are favorable. Their seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years.
4. Yellow nutsedge, Bahia grass, dallis grass, white clover and bindweed
These perennials die back to the ground and reappear under the right weather conditions. Not only do they produce seeds, they also spread underground roots and rhizomes.
The way to minimize the presence of these “green parasites” in your lawn is to make sure your turfgrass is healthy. Weeds tend to do best in lawns with low fertility and bare spots where turf grass is sparse or non-existent.
At South Austin Irrigation, we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain more beautiful lawns and gardens. We offer everything for irrigation system inspection and repair. Contact us today!
