What are the Different Types of Weeds?
There is an old saying seen on many wall posters that reads, “Work is the crabgrass in the lawn of life.” While this sentiment is more about work than weeds, it offers a clear picture of what the general public thinks about weeds. Weeds are the bane of our summertime gardens, the enemy to our lush, green lawns, and no matter what we do, they always seem to come back. There are even Biblical references to weeds that compare them to evil doers and bad people who try to influence the good. Perhaps the best way to combat weeds is to know more about them. There are three different types of weeds: grassy-type weeds, grass-like weeds and broadleaf weeds. Grassy-type weeds are actual grasses that germinate and grow just like the grasses that we want in our lawns. Examples of grassy-type weeds are foxtails, goosegrass, crabgrass and quackgrass, to name just a few. Grass-like weeds look like grass, but upon closer inspection the stems are not round like regular grass, but rather triangular. Gras
Weeds are classified as grasses or broadleaf weeds. There are some plants that closely resemble the grasses, and are often mistakenly called grasses, but are not true grasses. These include the lilies, sedges, and rushes. Many plants, including weeds, are classified according to the lifecycle. So, weeds are either annual, biennial or perennial. Annual weeds complete the life cycle in 1 year. This means plants emerge from seed, grow vegetatively, flower, and produce seed in less than 12 months. This cycle may occur in winter or summer, depending on the plant species. Biennial weeds need 2 years to complete the life cycle. Often the biennial weed spends the first year of its two year cycle as a small cluster of leaves. After exposure to cold winter temperatures, the reproductive mechanism is triggered, flowers and seeds are produced. Perennial weeds persist for more than 2 years. It may be woody tissue that remains above ground or it can be a rootstock that survives in the soil and regro
