What to do about those summer weeds?

By Joanne K., Pitt County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

Summer is here and so are the pesky summer weeds! Where were they hiding? They seem to sprout overnight in your lawn and then grow like weeds! What to do?

Identifying the weeds is the first step in controlling them. The following are some of the common ones seen in eastern NC yards with links to NC State TurfFiles for more information including how to control them.

Common chickweed growth habit, NC State Turffiles

Common lespedeza growth habit, NC State Turffiles

Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is a low-spreading perennial weed that roots at its nodes forming dense patches in the lawn. This growth habit covers the lawn slowing down turf growth. Chickweed has small white flowers with five deeply notched petals at the end of the stems. The light green leaves are opposite.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/common-chickweed/

Lespedeza (Kummerowia striata, syn. Lespedeza striata) is another weed that spreads, doing so through prostrate branches from its taproot. A summer annual with alternate dark green leaves composed of three leaflets, its small single flowers are pink or purple. The flowers grow from the leaf axils.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/common-lespedeza/

Ground ivy flower color, NC State Turffiles

Spotted spurge growth habit, NC State Turffiles

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) is a perennial weed forming thick patches through its creeping square stems, which  root at the nodes. The scalloped leaves have a rough surface. Its blue to violet flowers are spring bloomers appearing in the leaf axils. It grows in sun and shade.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/ground-ivy/

Spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) is a summer annual weed with a taproot from which it spreads out to form a thick mat. The stems are reddish or green as are the leaves, which are opposite. The leaves have a dark red blotch in the middle. Its inconspicuous flowers are pinkish-white. The latex sap from broken leaves is an allergen for people and toxic to pets. Hand pull the spurge with gloves and discard the seeds into the trash.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/spotted-spurge/

Dollarweed-Whole Plant, Doug McGrady, CC BY 2.0

Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle umbellata) is a native perennial weed found in moist, open areas, along roadside ditches, and swamps. It can float in water, and water fowl eat its seeds. Its shiny, round, alternate green leaves have a scalloped edge. It spreads by long, creeping roots forming dense mats. Small white flowers bloom in clusters in late summer.
https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/weeds-in-turf/dollarweed/

For more information on these plants, go to:

NC State Plant Toolbox https://emgintranet.ces.ncsu.edu/