Left alone, weeds will thrive even better than your lawn, stealing water and nutrients from the grass. That’s why you need more than just a lawn mowing service; you need a lawn maintenance company that understands weeds from the root to the bloom, one that can offer the best in organic weed control. We’re called WeedPro for a reason, because we know exactly what types of weed control service will do best in your yard. We offer a variety of pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides that will be better for you, your family, and the environment.
Click on the pictures below to find out what each weed is, and then give WeedPro Lawn Care a call for the best weed control service in the Atlanta area.
Sometimes called Poa Annua, is evolving and becoming immune to certain chemical pre-emergents. If you’ve used the same lawn care company for one to two years and you still have this weed, a new pre-emergent must be introduced to the lawn for better results. Timing is critical; if the product is applied late, germination will occur. On golf courses, most Annual Bluegrass on greens is of the perennial species, while the annual species develops in fairways and home lawn settings. This weed has a small panicle seed-head and a boat-shaped top with white tips.A winter annual, depending on its geographical location, bittercress initially forms a unique basal rosette appearance that is easy to identify among other weeds. The initial true leaves are heart shaped, containing two to four alternating leaflets. The surface leaves are often simple with a club shape or a hairy surface. Two to ten white flowers are born from each stem along with seed capsules that spread throughout the lawn when disturbed by mowing or walking.This spreading perennial weed has opposite leaves that often have a yellowish mottling due to the presence of a virus that grows in close association with this weed. The leaves are elongated, lance-shaped, and grow opposite one another on the stems, joined by a membrane. Flowers occur in the position between the leaf and the stem. Individual flowers are star-shaped with four white petals. The weed spreads by seed and plant segments.Also called little mimosa, this is a warm-season, annual broadleaf weed that emerges from warm soils beginning in early summer. It reproduces by seeds, which are found in the green, warty-like fruit attached to the underside of the branch. The leaves are arranged in two rows on the branchlets and are thin and oblong, with smooth margins, resembling a mimosa seedling. The weed grows upright and creates a strong and well developed root system and should be removed immediately to avoid unwanted transfer to other landscape areas.Common chickweed, a winter annual broadleaf, is a low-growing, succulent weed that often spreads out in extensive mats. It may survive the summer months in shady, cool areas that offer sufficient moisture. Seed leaves have prominent midveins and are about four-times as long as broad, tapering to a point at the tip. True leaves are broader, opposite, and yellow green. Chickweed mats may cover a large area. Stems are trailing, weak, and slender, with a line of hairs down the side. Mature leaves are egg-shaped and opposite on the stem. Small white flowers are borne in clusters at the end of the stems. The flowers have five deeply notched petals and, though small, are quite noticeable.A shallow rooted winter weed that spreads by stolon or above ground runners. The weed has compound leaves that divide into three leaflets which are all joined at a central point. Each individual flower head is round or globular and consists of 20 to 40 little flowers. The White or (sometimes) Pink colors occur on flower stalks that arise from the leaf axils. This plant was once considered a very beneficial weed and was added to most Fescue seed mixes.The most famous weed of them all, crabgrass is a summer annual that germinates when the soil temperature reaches a consistent 55 degrees outside. The leaves are rolled in the bud and the first leaf emerges short, wide and blunt-tipped. Crabgrass has a light green color and a single plant can produce over 150,000 seeds. It’s very important to lower your mowing height and collect the clipping to prevent seed establishment, especially if your lawn has an existing problem. If you need help, let Weed Pro® provide a mowing quote.A warm season perennial weed which is light green in color and is often confused with Crabgrass. Its leaves are also rolled in a bud that is flat and wide. Dallis grass has hairs on the lower portion of the leaf. Its seed head contains 3-6 spikes with seeds on both sides. This invasive weed is found throughout the Southern United States and its seeds germinate in temperatures above 60˚F. To help prevent seed establishment, the plant should be treated in its early life stage either through hand removal or professional treatment by Weed Pro®. Call one of our Specialists for help!This perennial grows best in moist areas in full sun; however, it can survive some shade and dry conditions once established. It produces a strong taproot that is capable of penetrating the soil to a depth of 10 to 15 feet. The long jagged leaves rise directly, radiating to form a rosette lying close upon the ground. The shiny, purplish flower-stalks rise straight from the root, and are leafless, smooth and hollow with single heads of flowers. Flower stalks are 6 to 24 inches in length with a white puff ball seed head. When disturbed by mowing or walking or strong winds, seed capsules spread throughout landscape areas.A short-lived summer perennial with finely dissected leaves that may reach 6 feet in height. The leaves divide into thread-like segments, producing a fern-like appearance. Disturbed leaves will omit a foul odor when mowed or string trimmed. The stems are reddish in color, hairy, and arise from a woody base. The flowers of dog fennel are small and white in color with numerous branched panicles.A summer annual that grows as a compressed clump in turf, its leaves are distinctly folded and may be smooth or have a few hairs. Goose grass is highly competitive during hot summers, and out-competes desirable grass types where soil is compacted and dry. It appears as a whitish silvery mat, forming a pale green clump with flattened stems in a low rosette. Flower stalks are short, stout, and compressed. The weed has a very strong root system and readily invades any area. Seed heads are somewhat similar to those of Dallis Grass, but short and stiff. It adapts very well to close, frequent mowing and produces seed even when closely mowed.A creeping winter perennial, its leaves are round- to kidney-shaped with round toothed edges. The leaves are opposite on long petiole attached to square stems that root at the nodes. It is usually found in moist shaded areas, but also tolerates sun very well. The weed will form dense mats which can take over areas of turf grass. The flowers of ground ivy are blue to lavender and grow in clusters. It usually flowers in the spring. The flowers are funnel shaped and are located at the leaf axis or near the tip of the stem.A member of the mint family. Interestingly, when you mow over the plant, you can actually smell mint! Henbit is a winter annual weed with a square stem and when it blooms has beautiful pink or purple flowers. The leaves are rounded on the end with toothededges and the plant can grow anywhere from 4 to 12 inches in height. The weed is often confused with the purple deadnettle weed that has a slightly more pointed scallop.Commonly found in lawns with low soil fertility, lespedeza is a prostrate-growing summer annual with freely-branched pink to purple flowers found on the leaf axils. Pods contain single seeds that are blue-black in color and may or may not be mottled. The weed is drought-resistant and responds well to favorable dry soil conditions. Its leaves consist of three oblong leaflets ½ to ¾ inches long and ⅓ to ½ as wide. If left unattended during the growing season, plants grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet.If this weed is left untreated it can become a serious problem and reoccur in your lawn each year. There are several different types of nutsedge grasses with the most common being the yellow and purple varieties. Nutsedge has triangular waxy grass-like leaves and is sometimes mistaken for Bermuda or Zoysia grasses. Both sedge varieties have an underground root system (like a pearl necklace) that contains tubers which allow for most of this weed’s reproduction. Each weed can produce thousands of new plants and underground tubers in a single growing season. The flowers of yellow sedge are light yellow and the seed head from purple sedge is reddish brown. Sedges do very well in areas that have poor drainage. Call Weed Pro® today for a special treatment!Also called cock’s foot, this is a perennial bunchgrass which sprouts from underground stems. Mature plants range from 1 to 3 ½ feet tall and have leaves arising from the plant base and the stem. Leaf blades are broadly linear, roughened, and wide. The roots are very fibrous and dense and the plant remains green throughout the year. Seed-heads occur from late spring throughout midsummer. Flower branches are erect or spreading, and the lowermost stands separate like the spur on a cock’s foot, hence the common name.This summer annual is also known as Yellow Woodsorrel. The weed has weak stems that branch at the base and may root at the nodes. Although sometimes mistaken for clover when not in flower, its leaves are arranged alternately along the stem, and divided into three heart-shaped leaflets. Oxalis produces a yellow flower with five petals and mostly occurs in clusters. The seed pods range from ½ -1 inch in length, with five ridges and are pointed. Oxalis spreads by seeds which burst from the pods at maturity and may be scattered several feet.Also known as dollar-weed, the leaves of this summer perennial are round in shape, and approximately 1 inch in diameter. The dark green leaves are glossy with scalloped edges, and are on long slender petioles. The petiole of pennywort is attached to the center of the leaf. The flower from the weed is small with five white petals and forms in clusters on the end of long stems. The weed spreads by seed and rhizomes.A very common annual weed that grows during the spring growing season. The roots of the plant are very shallow and it prefers both dry and moist soil conditions so it can establish itself almost anywhere if allowed to reproduce. One can remove this weed very easily by hand and its growth can be prevented by proper treatment.Broadleaf plantain is a common broadleaf weed in lawns. It is a cool-season perennial weed found in nearly every habitat. The leaves are arranged in a rosette and have prominent veins. Depending on the species, leaves and stems may range from purplish to dark green in color and may be smooth or densely covered with short hairs. As the name suggests, the leaves of plantain weed are broad and egg-shaped—1 ½ to 7 inches long—with several main veins running parallel to the leaf margins. The Weed Pro®duces a cone-like spike of white flowers perched at the top of the leafless flower stalk that may be 2 to 18 inches long. Seeds germinate in late spring through midsummer.Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are plants that contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol. Urushiol triggers an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with the skin, resulting in an itchy rash that can appear within hours of exposure, or up to several days later. A person can be exposed to urushiol directly or by touching objects, such as gardening tools, camping equipment, and even a pet’s fur, that have come into contact with the sap of one of the poison plants. Urushiol is found in all parts of these plants, including the leaves, stems, and roots, and is even present after the plant has died. Urushiol is absorbed quickly into the skin and also can be inhaled if the poison plants are burned. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poisonous sumac can be found in many areas in Georgia. Poison ivy has compound leaves that occur in threes, with the edges being smooth, lobed, or toothed. Poison oak closely resembles poison ivy, although it is usually more shrub-like, and its leaves are shaped somewhat like oak leaves. Symptoms of a poison plant reaction are redness and itching of the skin followed by a rash. The rash often develops in a pattern of streaks or patches which indicate where the plant has come into contact with the skin. If this happens, seek medical consultation immediately.A summer annual that can tolerate compact soil conditions and is often found invading high traffic areas. This weed loves to grow in between side walk cracks, paver stones, driveways and pool areas. The leaves are small and are distinguishable based on their oblong shape and irregular red and purple spots. People sometimes confuse Spotted Spurge with its cousin Prostate Spurge which has a quite similar leaf appearance. The weed contains a milky white sap in the stem and it is very hard to control by hand.Also called wild geranium, this is a semi-erect freely branching winter annual. Seed leaves have slightly truncated tips that are indented with long petioles that divide into segmented leaflets. Hairy stems, which can be over 2 ½ feet tall, are rough to the touch. The flowers have five white, pink, or purple petals and appear in many clusters. The seed pod forms a thin fruit capsule which is two inches in length.Both winter perennials that produce a very strong odor when disturbed or pulled and are very difficult to control. Each plant grows from underground bulbs and can be 8 to 12 inches long. The membrane-coated bulbs of the wild garlic are flat on one side and have bulblets, while the wild onion bulbs are white inside. The leaves of wild garlic are hollow and round whereas the leaves of the Wild Onion are solid and flat. Both plants are very aggressive and cannot be prevented by lawn pre-emergent’s. They will need special attention and care to be removed. Ask a Weed Pro® Certified Technician why?Please don’t be confused or mislead about this weed! The wild violet is a winter perennial that can grow 2-5 inches tall and has a very fibrous root system. While the leaves of this weed can vary, they usually are heart shaped with shallow rounded margins. Wild violets are very attractive and produce white, blue or purple pansy-like flowers. Do not use this weed in your landscape as an ornamental ground cover, it will invade all turf grass areas and becomes very difficult to control after it establishes roots in the grass. The weed should be physically dug up in its early growth stage or treated by a Weed Pro® professional. If left unattended, removal will require many special lawn treatments plus soil PH changes. Ask a Weed Pro® specialist for help.
