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Yard Maintenance
Fuzzy Top Weeds in the Lawn
Fuzzy Top Weeds in the Lawn. Lush green lawns are a source of pride for many homeowners, but the threat of invasion by weeds is constant. Seeds spread by animals or the wind from neighboring lawns into your own. If your grass is suffering from drought conditions or a lack of nutrients, weeds with fuzzy tops will gladly make your yard their home....
Lush green lawns are a source of pride for many homeowners, but the threat of invasion by weeds is constant. Seeds spread by animals or the wind from neighboring lawns into your own. If your grass is suffering from drought conditions or a lack of nutrients, weeds with fuzzy tops will gladly make your yard their home. Fortunately, a dense and healthy lawn will out-compete the weeds for soil nutrients.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelions invade lawns with sunny, well-drained soil. The leaves range from two to 12 inches long. In late summer or fall, the yellow flowers give way to white puffs of seeds. Children often blow on dandelions to make a wish, sending seeds floating away. When removing dandelions, it is important to remove the entire plant; dandelions can grow from pieces left in the soil. Tools made just for dandelion removal can be found at garden and hardware stores. Maintaining a healthy lawn is the easiest way to avoid dandelion infestation. Dandelions grow slower than healthy turf grass, giving the lawn a chance to compete for nutrients and force the weeds out. Herbicide solutions can also be used to eradicate dandelions, but be careful not to use herbicide near other flowering plants. Always follow the directions on the product label.
Pussy Toes (Antennaria plantaginifolia)
This perennial weed has white, wooly foliage and long leafless stems topped with fuzzy white flower heads that resemble the toes of a cat. Pussy toes propagate by seed and by creeping stems. This weed grows in areas with dry, unfertile soil. If you find this weed in your lawn, take steps to improve your soil. A healthy lawn is able to compete for nutrients against weeds. Aerating and fertilizing may be all that is needed to improve your soil, but it is a good idea to obtain a soil pH test to determine which fertilizer will work best for your situation. If soil amendments fail to eradicate pussy toes, herbicides designed for broad-leaf plants can be used in the fall.
Foxtails (Setaria)
Commonly referred to as foxtails, this annual grows in moist or dry soil and a broad range of environmental conditions. Foxtails can grow to three feet tall with 15-inch leaf blades. Densely packed flower heads are spike-shaped and bristly and range in length from 7/10 of an inch to seven inches. Seeds germinate in the spring. The most effective control method for this weed is maintaining a dense, healthy lawn. Consistent mowing will inhibit foxtail seed production.
