The Most Common Types of Lawn Weeds in Alabama & How to Control Them

With its short, mild winters and hot, breezy summers, Alabama enjoys a long growing season. This is great when it comes to crops––but not so great when it comes to weeds. If you’re trying to battle pesky weeds and cultivate a lush, beautiful lawn in Alabama, knowledge is power. Use this comprehensive guide to identify and eliminate the most common weeds found in Alabama lawns.

The Most Common Types of Lawn Weeds in Alabama

What constitutes a “weed” is open to interpretation. However, weeds are generally defined as plants that grow where they are not desired. In Alabama, several types of weeds can be identified:

• General Weeds: These weeds aren’t necessarily harmful, but they grow in places you don’t want them to and spread aggressively. General weeds are often unattractive and can damage the visual appeal of your lawn.
• Noxious Weeds: Noxious weeds are toxic or harmful to people, animals, or other plants. They can do serious damage and should be removed immediately when spotted.
• Invasive Weeds: These weeds are often non-native plants that have been introduced to an area (often unintentionally) and find the conditions right to take over. Invasive weeds aren’t harmful to people or animals but can cause major issues for plants, flowers, and turfgrass.

Weeds thrive year-round in Alabama’s favorable climate. The key is knowing when and how to spot them so you can address the problem before it turns into a catastrophe.

Spring Weeds

As temperatures rise, spring weeds germinate rapidly, requiring immediate attention.

Nutsedge

Nutgrasses are a type of sedge that grows in spiky branches and can be found across Alabama in yellow or purple varieties. They grow from tubers underground that resemble nuts, and they can be extremely difficult to remove. Manual removal is the best way to handle nutgrass, but if the infestation is too severe, you may need professional help to eliminate all the tubers.

Dandelions

People tend to either love or hate dandelions. While they do have some benefits, dandelions are fast and aggressive growers, and they can take over a lawn in the blink of an eye. Blowing a dandelion seedhead may seem whimsical and lovely, but it only continues the cycle of growth. To get rid of dandelions, you often need a one-two approach: first, manually remove the taproot, then spray the spot with a chemical herbicide.

Dallisgrass

Dallisgrass is an invasive, non-native weed that grows from nearly impossible-to-destroy rhizomes. It appears in unsightly clumps with stalks of sticky, bug-like blades. It’s easy to identify but not so easy to remove. You’ll likely need a pre- and post-emergent to effectively deal with dallisgrass.

Summer Weeds

Summer weeds thrive in Alabama’s heat and require early identification for successful control.

Crabgrass

Crabgrass explodes in the heat of summer, and once it takes hold, it doesn’t release its grip. Crabgrass seeds continue to grow for up to three years! They prefer dense, compacted soil found in many Alabama lawns. However, crabgrass can be taken head-on with regular mowing and lawn aeration.

White Clover

White clover is a fast grower that comes back year after year. It can be beneficial in pastures, but in lawns, it’s considered invasive and harmful to turfgrass. You’ll know white clover by its distinctive white flowers, though ideally, you’ll treat these weeds well before they flower. White clover is best pulled by hand but can be treated with chemicals as well, including 2,4-D and MCPP. However, these chemicals can harm other plants and some types of grass, so do your research—or consult a professional—before you put anything down. 

Bindweed

Bindweed is a flowering vine that, at first glance, looks like it’s meant to be in your garden beds. In reality, this weed will choke out your other plants and blooms. Unfortunately, manually pulling bindweed is a difficult task that isn’t always worth the effort. Instead, an herbicide containing glyphosate is your best bet. If you don’t spot the bindweed until it’s flowering, you’ll want to opt for a post-emergent herbicide. 

Purslane

Common purslane is a succulent that is sometimes sold annually to unsuspecting gardeners. The problem is that, once purslane gets started, it’s nearly impossible to control. It also thrives among other weeds, so if, for instance, you have crabgrass in your yard, the purslane will also flourish. You can pull it manually as long as you remove the entire root, but it also responds well to both pre- and post-emergent herbicides. 

Lambsquarter

Lambsquarter is a member of the amaranth family and, in some places, is a cultivated crop. In the U.S., however, it’s considered an invasive weed that can cause seasonal allergies. You can identify lambsquarter by the fine white powder or dust on the underside of its leaves. While lambsquarter does have some benefits (like being an edible comparable to spinach), it’s highly invasive, as each plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds. A thick and healthy lawn is the key to keeping them at bay. Pull them as you see them, so they can’t go to seed.

Fall Weeds

While fall often signals the end of the growing season in many places, things are just gearing up for the following Alabama weeds:

Annual Bluegrass

This is a confusing one, as you may have been told to use bluegrass seed in your turf lawn. The difference lies in the word “annual.” Annual bluegrass is not the same as the grass you find in well-maintained lawns. Instead, it’s a hardy and quick-spreading weed that smothers healthy, desirable turf while causing thatch buildup that damages soil and roots. You’ll need a shovel to dig it up manually, but fortunately, it’s more easily manageable with pre- and post-emergents.

Buckhorn/English Plantain

Buckhorn plantain is a striking weed that grows up to 24 inches in height and has an unusual flower/seed pod. Though interesting to look at, it can quickly take over a lawn or flower bed and is best removed before going to seed. Buckhorn is difficult to pull out manually but responds well to spot treatment with an herbicide containing 2,4-D.

Winter Weeds

Surely there’s a reprieve from weeds in the cooler winter weather, right? Not so in Alabama, where many weeds can thrive in all conditions. Be wary of winter weeds, including:

Chickweed

Chickweed is an attractive plant with delicate leaves and small white flowers, but its aggressive growth can cause it to choke out other desirable plants and grass. Luckily, chickweed is an easy one to manage by pulling it up manually. It typically comes out easily at the root, though you may need to pull several times through the season to eliminate chickweed growth. You may also decide to apply pre-emergent herbicide in the fall. Follow up with reapplications, and you’ll get rid of your chickweed problem for good.

Musk Thistle

You won’t mistake a musk thistle if it’s growing in your yard. These weeds can grow to be 3 feet tall and feature purple flowers and vicious thorns. They are aggressive growers and can overtake a flowerbed in no time, blocking your wanted plants from much-needed sunlight. They are extremely difficult to pull, so be sure to wear gloves if you decide to try to avoid damaging your hands. If you spot them in your yard, wait until late winter or early spring to apply an herbicide.

The Benefits of Professional Weed Control Services

Feel exhausted simply by reading about all the possible weeds in your yard? Battling weeds is a big job, and you don’t need to handle it on your own. For the best, long-lasting results, ask for help from a professional weed control provider. They often have the people, power, equipment, and products needed to launch a full-scale attack on any yard invaders. Here are some of the best reasons to consult the pros:

• Save yourself time and hassle
• Save money long-term as the pros use the right products and equipment off the bat
• Protect your yard from the overuse of chemicals or improper use of chemicals
• Provide long-term solutions that maintain a beautiful and healthy lawn instead of dealing with maintenance only when problems arise
• Ensure pet and child safety with safe chemical use

A professional lawn service team will apply the right chemicals at the right time and can perform other valuable services, such as lawn aeration, pest control, and more.

Ways to Prevent Weed Infestations in Your Yard

We’ve mostly talked about what to do once you notice these weeds in your yard, but there’s a better way to battle the weeds, and that’s with prevention. Here are our top tips for preventing Alabama weeds before they have a chance to start:

Work With the Seasons

As noted above, weeds emerge in different seasons and can behave in numerous ways. For instance, cool-season weeds must be treated differently—and at a different time—than warm-season weeds. Always know what’s coming up in the season ahead and start planning.

Learn to Read Labels 

Not all herbicides are created equally, and not all weeds will respond to them in the same way. We’ve mentioned some of the chemicals that are most appropriate for certain weeds in the info above, but be sure to do your research before purchasing a pre- or post-emergent to ensure it’s the best choice for the job.

Put a Routine in Place

A healthy lawn is your best defense against weeds, and a healthy lawn is also a well-maintained lawn. Build a routine that feels doable for you so you know you can stick to it. That doesn’t always mean being out in the heat mowing and weeding every day—in fact, longer grass is often better at fending off weeds and contributing to healthy soil and strong roots. Water, mow, and fertilize on a regular schedule to keep your lawn lush and thriving.

Call in the Pros

There comes a point when you know you’ve lost the battle, but you can still win the war. That’s when you need the experts, who are trained in weed control and know how to handle everything that grows in Alabama’s climate. You may ultimately save money and time, and you’ll certainly have a healthier and more attractive lawn to show for it.

How Mighty Green Can Help With Weed Control

Don’t hesitate if you’re constantly losing the battle to seasonal weeds. Mighty Green’s team of experts knows how to eliminate every type of Alabama weed, and we’ll tackle your weeds no matter the season. Learn more about our weed control services and how we can help keep your lawn happy, healthy, and weed-free.