We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Weeds?

Paulla Estes
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 31,567
Share

There is an old saying seen on many wall posters that reads, "Work is the crabgrass in the lawn of life." While this sentiment is more about work than weeds, it offers a clear picture of what the general public thinks about them. Weeds are the bane of our summertime gardens, the enemy to our lush, green lawns, and no matter what we do, they always seem to come back. There are even Biblical references to weeds that compare them to evil doers and bad people who try to influence the good. Perhaps the best way to combat them is to know more about them.

There are three different types: grassy-type, grass-like, and broadleaf. Grassy-type weeds are actual grasses that germinate and grow just like the grasses that we want in our lawns. Examples of this type are foxtails, goosegrass, crabgrass and quackgrass, to name just a few. Grass-like weeds look like grass, but upon closer inspection the stems are not round like regular grass, but rather triangular. Some examples include wild garlic, nutsedge and star of Bethlehem.

Broadleaf weeds are some of the most common and those with which we are most familiar. As their name suggests, they have broad leaves that are wide and flat, and set up on a stem much like a flower. Veins in the leaves are often net-like. Some examples are dandelions, ground ivy, white clover, chick weed, carpet weed and violets.

Weeds can grow all year round, not just during the summer months, though that is usually when they are most abundant. Most can be kept under control in gardens by tilling the soil before the crops are planted. Many gardeners use herbicides to kill them, but many of these must be used before tilling and planting, as they will often kill any existing plants in the area. Other gentler herbicides can be used on some vegetables and plants, but not on others. Always check labels to be sure.

The most assured way to eliminate weeds is to dig up the offending plant, as well as any of its surrounding roots. Some gardeners also use plastic to cover the soil around their garden plants, as this kills the unwanted plants while warming up the soil for those that are desired. In the end, weeds will always be with us, but we do not have to let them control our gardens.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Paulla Estes
By Paulla Estes
Based in Maine, Paulla Estes is a freelance writer and website editor with a B.A. in English Literature from George Mason University. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Paulla appreciates the flexibility and consistency that comes with contributing to HomeQuestionsAnswered. She relishes the opportunity to continuously learn new things while crafting informative and engaging articles for readers.
Discussion Comments
By anon111739 — On Sep 17, 2010

what are the weeds that have pocky things all over them called?

By anon93090 — On Jul 01, 2010

my friend, who is a landscape designer,w hen asked if what i pointed out what i thought might be a weed said "If you like it, it's a flower. If you don't it's a weed." I never forgot that. It's in eye of the beholder.

By bathguru — On Oct 01, 2008

About 80% of the weeds that I pulled out have very small snail shells at the base. What are their significant purposes? Are they possibly the cause of weed growth?

By dfrum32 — On Apr 04, 2008

The interesting thing is that weeds are really only plants that are growing where they aren't wanted. Many weeds are beautiful and if they were planted, would be coveted and a lot of time and money spent on them. Instead, people have their own idea of what constitutes a weed and what is a garden plant, and often choose the non-native plants which are much harder to grow and get rid of the weeds.

Does anyone ever look at wildflowers on a hill and say, "oh, look at those horrible weeds?" No!

Paulla Estes
Paulla Estes
Based in Maine, Paulla Estes is a freelance writer and website editor with a B.A. in English Literature from George...
Learn more
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-weeds.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.