Spring weeds

Good practice is usually to try and remove all weeds from planting beds and tree rings in late autumn or early winter before the ground freezes and they have time to set a new round of seed.  However, many of us don’t have the time or inclination to get outside on those damp dark days before the end of the year and so weeds will overwinter and start germinating seed as soon as things start to warm up.  This can soon become overwhelming if early removal is not kept up with.  Shown below are some of the most common weeds for spring in flower beds (turf has a whole slew of other weeds and problems that appear in spring) and these apply not only to the Winchester, Virginia region but most of the areas where spring starts in March.

  • Dandelion
  • Shepherds purse
  • Chick weed
  • Groundsel
  • Speedwell
  • Ground ivy
  • Dock
  • Thistle
  • Henbit
  • Spurge
  • Yellow wood sorrel or Oxalis
  • Wild onion or garlic
  • Purslane
  • Plantain
  • Clover

Thankfully most of these can be removed very quickly and easily when the ground is moist but not frozen.  Some of the tap-rooted weeds such as dock or dandelion require more effort and it is very important to remove the entire root to prevent regrowth.  Starting this week one weed from the list above will discussed in greater detail each week.

The dandelion or Taraxacum officinale as it is officially known is part of the Asteracea family and is very common both as a weed of turf and beds.  The flowers are usually yellow to orange in colour and the seed head turns grey-white when the seeds are ready to disperse, and the wind is one of the most common dispersal tools used by the plant.  The root of the plant is known as a tap root due to the way it grows down deeply into the soil and is rather difficult to remove unless soil conditions are favorable.  dandelion-root

Depending how you like to enjoy your garden, the dandelion can be a useful companion plant as it brings in pollinators (especially important for an early pollen source for bees coming out of hibernation), is an early food source for some of the earliest butterflies and moth larvae  as well as emitting ethylene which can promote fruit ripening. One final benefit is that the young leaves can be used in salads or lightly blanched if you find the taste too bitter.

 

 

 

Ground Ivy

Ground Ivy

spurge

Spurge

Thistle

Thistle

Groundsel

Groundsel

Chickweed

Chickweed

Shepherds Purse

Shepherds Purse