What Are the Most Common Lawn Weeds in Northern Virginia and How Do I Control Them?

A lush, green lawn is the pride of many Northern Virginia homeowners. However, weeds can quickly turn that dream into a frustrating battle. Understanding the common culprits and the best strategies to control them is key to maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and the surrounding areas.

Common Lawn Weeds in Northern Virginia

Several types of weeds frequently plague lawns in our area. Here are some of the most common ones you might encounter:

• Crabgrass: This aggressive grassy weed thrives in sunny spots and often appears in thinner areas of your lawn. It grows in unsightly clumps and can quickly spread, as a single plant can produce up to 75,000 seeds in one season! Crabgrass typically shows up later in the spring and sticks around until the first hard frost in late fall.
• Dandelions: Easily recognized by their bright yellow flowers, dandelions are hardy, fast-growing perennial weeds. This means they can come back year after year if not properly managed. While most common in spring, they can persist for much of the year, and their seeds can remain viable in the soil, waiting for the right conditions to sprout.
• White Clover: This low-growing perennial weed features distinctive white flowers and can spread rapidly, especially in sparse lawns where it doesn’t have to compete with healthy grass. It often indicates that the soil has a low pH, which is less favorable for grass growth. You’ll most often spot white clover in late spring and early summer.
• Common Chickweed: Identified by its small white flowers and small, egg-shaped leaves, chickweed grows densely and close to the ground, often forming thick mats. It thrives in thinner lawn areas and shade, typically appearing in late winter and early spring.
• Henbit: A member of the mint family, henbit has green or purplish square stems and is sparsely hairy. This winter weed can grow up to 12-16 inches tall in early spring and quickly invade thinning turf.
• Hairy Bittercress: This annual weed from the mustard family can spread quickly. It forms a basal rosette and grows stems 3 to 9 inches long with slightly scalloped leaves and tiny white flowers at the stem ends. It’s often found from late winter through spring.
• Wild Violet: A spring broadleaf weed with a resilient root system, wild violet can be tough to control. Its leaves have a waxy coating that can make it difficult for some weed control products to be effective. Violets can persist in a lawn throughout the year.
• Spotted Spurge: Easily identified by its red spots and the milky sap it releases when broken, spotted spurge grows in large, thick mats and spreads easily. This broadleaf weed appears in summer and lasts until the colder fall temperatures.

Other common weeds in Northern Virginia include broadleaf plantain, buttonweed, annual bluegrass, ground ivy (creeping Charlie), and nutsedge.

Controlling Weeds in Your Northern Virginia Lawn

While hand-pulling might be an option for a few isolated weeds like dandelions, a widespread infestation requires a more strategic approach. Effective weed control is about more than just spot treatments; it involves creating a healthy, dense lawn that can naturally resist weed invasion.

Here are key strategies for controlling lawn weeds:

1. Promote a Healthy, Thick Lawn: This is your best defense.
• Proper Mowing: Mow at the correct height for your grass type (typically 3-4 inches for Tall Fescue, the recommended grass for Northern Virginia). Mowing too short weakens the turf and allows weeds to take hold.
• Adequate Watering: Water deeply and infrequently (about 1-2 inches per week, including rainfall) rather than light, daily sprinklings. Early morning is the best time to water.
• Appropriate Fertilization: Fertilize primarily in the fall to encourage root development. Avoid heavy spring fertilization, which can promote weak top growth.
• Soil Health: Maintain proper soil pH (6.0-6.8 for optimal turf growth) by applying lime according to soil test results. Aerate compacted soil, especially common clay soils in Northern Virginia, to improve drainage and root growth.
• Overseeding: Fall aeration and overseeding can help thicken the lawn, making it harder for weeds to establish.
2. Targeted Weed Control Products:
• Pre-emergent herbicides: Applied in early spring before weed seeds germinate, these are effective against annual grassy weeds like crabgrass. Be aware that most pre-emergents will also prevent grass seed from germinating if you plan on spring seeding.
• Post-emergent herbicides: Used to control existing weeds. Different products target different types of weeds (grassy vs. broadleaf). Some weeds, like wild violet with its waxy leaves, may require specialized products or repeated treatments.
3. Professional Lawn Care Services: For persistent or widespread weed problems, partnering with a professional lawn care company is often the most effective solution. Our professionals can:
• Properly Identify Weeds: Different weeds require different control methods.
• Develop a Customized Approach: Our team will assess your specific lawn and its needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all treatment.
• Apply Professional-Grade Products Safely and Effectively: We have the expertise and equipment to handle these products correctly.
• Implement an Integrated Program: This includes ongoing treatments, fertilization, aeration, and overseeding to build a resilient, weed-resistant lawn over time.

Expert Weed Control for Your Northern Virginia Lawn

By understanding the common weeds in Northern Virginia and adopting a comprehensive control strategy, you can win the battle against these unwelcome weeds and enjoy a healthier, more beautiful lawn. Elmer’s Lawn & Garden offers comprehensive lawn care services, including weed control, to keep your lawn looking its best. Contact us today for a free quote!