Has your lawn been hit with pesky invading weeds this spring and summer, leaving you unsure what they are or how to get rid of them? We’re already seeing several common culprits popping up, including Creeping Oxalis, Summer Grass, Paspalum, Bindii and Plantain. In this blog, we break down the best ways to identify and remove these weeds to help keep your lawn looking its best.
Skip to: How Can I Remove Creeping Oxalis from My Lawn? What Is the Best Way to Remove Summer Grass from My Lawn? What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Paspalum from My Lawn? How Can I Remove Bindii from My Lawn? What is Plantain and How Can I Remove It?
How Can I Remove Creeping Oxalis from My Lawn?
Creeping Oxalis is one of those common lawn weeds that can quickly creep its way throughout a lawn. Key identifying features of Creeping Oxalis include:
- Small heart-shaped leaves (similar to Clover)
- Light green to purple coloured leaves
- Small yellow flowers
To remove Creeping Oxalis, we recommend using a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control or Estate Herbicide. All Purpose Weed Control comes in an easy-to-use hose-on bottle. To spray, simply clip onto the hose and turn on water to spray the product. Estate Herbicide comes in a concentrate, which needs to be mixed up in a knapsack or a pressure sprayer to apply.
What Is the Best Way to Remove Summer Grass from My Lawn?
Summer Grass is another common weed that you may have started to notice over recent weeks. Key identifying features of Summer Grass include:
- Green-yellow leaves
- Light purple or white sheaths
- Grows from a stem and can grow roots at nodes
To remove Summer Grass, it is recommended to use an herbicide with the active ingredient DSMA, like David Grays Crabgrass and Clover Killer. However, it is important to note that DSMA-based herbicides are not safe for use on Buffalo or Kikuyu lawns.
If you do happen to have a Buffalo or Kikuyu lawn, we recommend either carefully removing it by hand, or selectively applying a non-selective herbicide like Roundup or Zero. When using a non-selective herbicide, it is best to only apply it to the weed and not the lawn as it will harm it also. We recommend using a weed wand, a small paint brush or the Yates Zero Gel to help with an accurate application.
If Summer Grass has been a persistent issue, or the weed has already gone to seed in your lawn, we recommend using a pre-emergent herbicide like Oxafert or Barricade. These herbicides are designed to help stop weed seedlings during germination, before they appear on the lawn.
What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Paspalum from My Lawn?
Paspalum is another similar weed to Summer Grass that will start to grow as the temperatures warm back up. Key identifying features of Paspalum are:
- Grows in clumps
- Purple tinge at the base of broad leaves
- Spreads by its sticky seeds
The removal of Paspalum will be the same as Summer Grass. Use a DSMA-based herbicide, like the David Grays Crabgrass and Clover Killer.
As this active ingredient is not safe for use on Buffalo or Kikuyu, for removal, either remove it by hand or carefully selectively apply a non-selective herbicide like Roundup or Zero to the weed. Avoid applying it to the lawn as it will harm it also.
How Can I Effectively Remove Bindii from My Lawn?
Bindii is one of the more painful weeds to have growing in your lawn, especially for your feet if the plant has gone to seed. Key identifying features of Bindii are:
- Low-growing weed with a flower at its centre
- Will produce prickly seeds once temperatures have warmed up in spring or summer
- Fern-like green leaves
To remove Bindii from your lawn, we recommend using a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control (hose-on), or Estate Herbicide (concentrate).
What is Plantain and How Can I Remove It?
Plantain, also known as Lambs Tongue, is another weed that you may have started to pop up this summer. Key identifying features include:
- Long, narrow, ribbed leaves
- Leafless stalk, with dense, cylinder-shaped seedhead/flower.
- Has a tap root
Like other broadleaf weeds, Plantain can be removed with a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control (hose-on), or Estate Herbicide (concentrate).
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
