Tired of constantly battling with weeds that seem to be taking over your yard? It’s time to reclaim your lawn and enjoy your outdoor space without the intrusion of pesky broadleaf weeds. But before you dive into combat mode, let’s arm you with the knowledge you need to identify and tackle these intruders effectively.

What are broadleaf weeds?

Broadleaf weeds, as the name suggests, have leaves that are broader than grassy weeds, making them stand out in your lawn.  Unlike grassy weeds, which blend in with the grass, broadleaf weeds are easily noticeable, disrupting the uniformity of your lawn.

Broadleaf weeds have no one distinct style

There are many different styles of broadleaf weeds. They can look as well as act much differently from each other. According to the University of California’s Guide to Healthy Lawns, broadleaf weeds in turf are “plants with wide leaves,” with “veins branching out in different directions.” They may have one, two or more leaves per the plant’s node. According to the guide, the lower leaves can be opposite, wrorled, alternating, or in a basal rosette.

Some broadleaf weeds can be a real nuisance, like poison ivy, which can cause an itching reaction. Ragweed can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, with those who are sensitive to it. Getting either of these weeds removed can be problematic because of those issues.

Other broadleaf weeds, like wild sunflowers, might not be a nuisance at all. In fact, wild sunflowers might be something that people might want to keep in their yard. As NPR says, “the line that separates a despised weed from a valuable crop is sometimes a very fuzzy one.”

In addition, some of the weeds may be annual, while others are perennial. Plus, the growing season for the weeds depends on your climate, and on the type of weed. There is no one particular time of year that weeds grow in.

What are some of the types of broadleaf weeds?

In addition to the above referenced broadleaf weeds, some of the other weeds you might see in your yard can include dandelions, violets, thistle, chickweed, clover, and chicory. As you may know from those types of weeds, they can look very different from one another. Penn State offers a look at common broadleaf weeds, with photos for each one that can help you identify them.

How to get rid of broadleaf weeds?

You may not have a problem with having some of these weeds in your yard, like the wild violet or the chicory. But in many cases, you may not want to have weeds on of your lawn. Many professional lawn care companies can help with that. Lawn Doctor’s broadleaf weed control services for example include a treatment process that incorporates:

• Identifying what types of weeds you have
• Applying treatments to remove them
• Use post-emergent weed control to keep the broadleaf weeds from coming back

How to prevent broadleaf weeds in your grass?