Weeds

Common name: Ribwort Plantain

Botanical name: Plantago lanceolata

Main causes: Prefers well-drained moist soils with poor grass growth but will tolerate both dry and moist conditions

Cultural control: Look to address conditions that encourage bare or thinly covered areas

Chemical control: MCPA, 2,4-D, dicamba, clopyralid 
 

Common name: Selfheal

Botanical name: Prunella vulgaris

Main causes: Can be found in all types of turf and will tolerate both dry and moist soils

Timing: Flowers from June to October

Chemical control: MCPA, 2,4-D
 

Common name: Common Ragwort

Botanical name: Senecio jacobaea

Precautions: Ragwort is poisonous to cattle and horses

Timing: Seen from spring to autumn. Flowers are seen from June-November. 

Cultural control: See DEFRA - code of practice on how to prevent the spread of ragwort

Chemical control: Apply selective herbicides (2,4-D, MCPA) when the rosettes start forming 
(see DEFRA code of practice)
 

Common name: Shepherd's purse

Botanical name: Capsella bursa-pastoris

Chemical control: MCPA, 2,4-D, clopyralid, dicamba
 

Common name: Speedwell

Botanical name: Veronica spp.

Main causes: Infrequent mowing and low nitrogen levels

Timing flowers: From early spring onwards

Treat: Spring-autumn when plants are actively growing

Chemical control: 2,4-D, fluroxypyr
 

Common name: Yarrow

Botanical name: Achillea millefolium

Main causes: dry or poor soil conditions and lack of plant nutrients

Timing: July to October

Cultural control: Yarrow is a difficult weed to control once it is established in lawn grasses or turf so good lawn care is an effective preventative measure

Chemical control: 2,4-D, dicamba
 

Common name: Lesser trefoil or Yellow Suckling Clover

Botanical name: Trifolium dubium

Main causes: Prefers well-drained soils

Timing: Flowers from May to October

Chemical control: Florasulam, fluroxypyr, mecoprop-P
 

Common name: Pearlwort

Botanical name: Sagina procumbens

Main causes: Can be found in all types of conditions especially moist, wet lawns and turf where frequent close, mowing is the norm

Timing flowering : April to September

Cultural control: Raise height of cut

Chemical control: Florasulam, fluroxypyr, 2,4-D
 

Common name: Creeping Buttercup

Botanical name: Ranunculus repens

Timing: Treat in spring/autumn

Cultural control: Dense Sward

Chemical control: 2,4-D, clopyralid, dicamba, MCPA
 

Common name: Clover, trefoil, black medick

Botanical name: Trifolium spp.

Medicago lupulina

Lotus corniculatus

Timing: Seen year round, treat when plants are actively growing

Chemical control: Clopyralid, dicamba, mecoprop-P 
 

Common name: Daisy

Botanical name: Bellis perennis

Timing: Blooms throughout the year

Chemical control: 2,4-D, fluroxypyr, florasulam
 

Common name: Dandelion

Botanical name: Taraxacum  officinale

Timing: Flowering March-October

Cultural control: Dense Sward

Chemical control: 2,4-D, MCPA, fluroxypyr, florasulam
 

Common name: Field Woodrush

Botanical name: Luzula campestris

Main cause: Associated with acidic soils

Timing: Brown flower heads seen in spring

Treat: In summer

Cultural control: Increase soil pH

Chemical control: Fluroxypyr
 

Common name: Greater plantain

Botanical name: Plantago major

Main causes: Prefers well-drained moist soils with poor grass growth but will tolerate both dry and moist conditions

Cultural control: Look to address conditions that encourage bare or thinly covered areas

Chemical control: MCPA, 2,4-D, dicamba, clopyralid 
 

Common name: Mouse-ear chickweed

Botanical name: Cerastium fontanum

Chemical control: 2,4-D, clopyralid, mecoprop-P

Common name: Parsley piert

Botanical name: Aphanes arvensis

Main causes: Prefers well drained, nutrient deficient soils and is tolerant of close mowing

Timing: April-October

Cultural control: Increase moisture and fertility of soil, raise height of cut

Chemical control: 2,4-D, clopyralid, dicamba, fluroxypyr, MCPA

Lesson notes

• Weeds - Study each weed type and most importantly how they look at different stages of development
• Main causes - learn the main causes of each type of weed
• Other factors - understand how other factors increase the likelihood of turf weeds
• Control - learn different types of maintenance procedures that help control and reduce the incidence of weeds
• Chemical treatments - Understand what type of chemical control is available for each weed