How to Identify and Control Common Garden Weeds

Garden weeds are a nuisance that every gardener has to contend with. They compete with your plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight and can quickly take over your garden if left unchecked. Although identifying weeds is the first step to getting rid of them, the many types of weeds out there make it difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, we have advice on the best ways to identify and control common garden weeds, from ground cover weed control in your polytunnel greenhouse to hand-picking the suckers to ensure they never come back. So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, these methods to identify and control different types of weeds are crucial to maintaining a healthy garden.

Bindweed

• Type of plant: Perennial
• Family: Convolvulaceae
• Average size: Up to 10 feet long 
• Where it grows: Will grow in a wide range of conditions, including gardens, lawns, and agricultural fields. It also often grows along fences, walls, and other vertical surfaces.
• Identifying features: Bindweed has arrow-shaped leaves and white or pink trumpet-shaped flowers. The leaves are usually 1-2 inches long and alternately arranged on the stem. The flowers are about 1 inch wide and can bloom from June to September. Bindweed also has a twining habit, which means it wraps around other plants or objects as it grows.
• Control methods: Hand pulling is an effective option, but getting the entire root system is important to prevent regrowth. Digging up the plant and removing as much of the root system as possible can also be effective. You may also use herbicides. 

Bittercress

• Type of plant: Annual or biennial
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Average size: Up to 20 inches but usually shorter.
• Where it grows: Bittercress can grow in gardens, lawns, and disturbed or shady areas.
• Identifying features: Bittercress has small white flowers and compound leaves arranged in a rosette at the base of the plant. The leaves are usually toothed and can be up to 3 inches long. Bittercress also has seed pods that explode when ripe, scattering seeds several feet away.
• Control methods: Bittercress is relatively easy to control, especially if caught early. Hand pulling can be effective if you remove the entire plant before it goes to seed. Mowing or cutting the plants down before they can set seed will also be effective.

Bugloss

• Type of plant: Annual or biennial
• Family: Boraginaceae
• Average size: Up to 2 feet but usually shorter.
• Where it grows: Bugloss is often found in gardens, waste areas, and roadsides. 
• Identifying features: Bugloss has small blue flowers arranged in a curling pattern. The leaves are hairy and are often green with white spots. Bugloss also has prickly seed pods that are covered in tiny hooks.
• Control methods: Hand pulling or cutting the plants down can be effective for small infestations if you remove the entire root system. However, herbicides, such as 2 4-D based solutions, will be best for larger infestations. 

Couch Grass

• Type of plant: Perennial grass
• Family: Poaceae
• Average size: Up to 2 feet
• Where it grows: Couch Grass is common in lawns, gardens, fields, and waste areas. 
• Identifying features: Couch Grass has long, narrow leaves that are light green. It produces flower spikes with small spikelets arranged in a zigzag pattern. Couch Grass also has extensive rhizomes that are white and have a distinctive purple base.
• Control methods: The extensive rhizome system of Couch Grass makes it difficult to eradicate. Although time-consuming, digging out the entire root system will be most effective. However, using a hoe to sever the rhizomes from the root system will have similar effects. 

Dandelion

• Type of plant: Broadleaf
• Family: Asteraceae
• Average size: Up to 12 inches
• Where it grows: Dandelions can grow in various habitats, including lawns, fields, gardens, and disturbed areas.
• Identifying features: Dandelions have deeply lobed leaves that form a rosette at the base of the plant. The bright yellow flower heads are easy to recognize and are followed by the familiar fluffy, white seed head that is carried by the wind.
• Control methods: You can control dandelions by digging them up by hand, but removing the taproot is important to prevent regrowth. Also, pre-emergent herbicides can effectively prevent dandelion growth, but you must apply them at the right time, during early spring. 

Read More: Common UK Garden Weeds To Consider Keeping In Your Garden

Dock

• Type of plant: Perennial
• Family: Polygonaceae 
• Average size: Up to 3-4 feet
• Where it grows: Dock plants are often found in fields, meadows, and along roadsides. 
• Identifying features: Dock plants have long, slender leaves with a distinctive red or green vein running through the centre. The stem is often reddish or purplish and can be hairy or smooth. The small greenish flowers grow in clusters and are followed by brown, papery seed pods that contain numerous seeds.
• Control methods: You can remove dock plants by hand or with a weed puller. Plus, regular mowing will help ensure that seeds do not spread. 

Fat Hen

• Type of plant: Annual
• Family: Amaranthaceae 
• Average size: Up to 3-4 feet
• Where it grows: Fat Hen weeds can tolerate many conditions and often grow in gardens, fields, and waste areas.
• Identifying features: Fat Hen weeds have oval-shaped, slightly toothed leaves that are a dull green and can grow up to 4 inches long. The small greenish flowers grow in dense clusters and precede small, black seeds shaped like tiny footballs.
• Control methods: The best control method for fat hen is to remove seedlings by regularly hoeing your beds. However, for larger plants, it is best to pull them out by hand or use a contact weedkiller. 

Giant Hogweed

• Type of plant: Monocarpic perennial
• Family: Apiaceae
• Average size: Up to 15-20 feet
• Where it grows: Giant Hogweed is often found in damp, shaded areas along riverbanks, roadsides, and wooded areas.
• Identifying features: Giant Hogweed is easily identifiable by its size and distinctive features. It also has a thick, hairy stem with purple blotches and produces large, umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers.
• Control methods: The most effective way to control Giant Hogweed is to remove it by hand. However, the sap of these common garden weeds is highly toxic, so you must wear protective clothing. Herbicides can also be effective but only licensed professional should apply it.

Goosegrass

• Type of plant: Annual
• Family: Rubiaceae
• Average size: Up to 20-60 cm
• Where it grows: Goosegrass is a common weed found in gardens, lawns, and waste areas.
• Identifying features: Goosegrass is easily identifiable by its small, white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. It also has narrow leaves covered in small hooked hairs, making them feel rough. The plant stems are also covered in hooked hairs, allowing the plant to climb and spread outwards.
• Control methods: Physically removing by hand or with a digging tool is best for goosegrass. Keep garden areas debris-free, and regularly mow your lawn to prevent goosegrass from spreading. However, you can use herbicides as a last resort while following label instructions carefully.

Groundsel

• Type of plant: Annual
• Family: Asteraceae
• Average size: Up to 60cm
• Where it grows: Groundsel typically grows in damp or disturbed soil, such as in waste areas or on the edges of cultivated fields.
• Identifying features: One of the identifying features of groundsel is its flowers, which are small and yellow and are arranged in clusters at the end of the branches. The leaves of groundsel are also distinctive, with a saw-toothed edge and a pinnate shape.
• Control methods: The best way to control groundsel is to manually remove the plant and pull it out by the roots. On the other hand, chemical herbicides can be effective in large areas or difficult plants. However, herbicides should be applied in early spring before the plant can flower.

Himalayan Balsam

• Type of plant: Annual
• Family: Balsaminaceae
• Average size: Up to 2 metres
• Where it grows: It grows in damp areas, such as riverbanks, ditches, and waste ground.
• Identifying features: The Himalayan Balsam has distinctive, helmet-shaped flowers that can be pink, purple or white, contrasted by soft green leaves. The plant’s stem is hollow, and the seeds are contained in elongated, green pods that explode when touched, flinging the seeds several metres away.
• Control methods: The best way to control Himalayan Balsam is to prevent it from establishing itself in the first place by removing any plants as soon as they are spotted. Pulling the plant out by the roots before it has a chance to flower is effective, but you must not spread the seeds. It is also possible to control Himalayan Balsam with herbicides, but this should only be done by a professional because of the risk of harming other plants and wildlife in the area.

Japanese Knotweed

• Type of plant: Perennial
• Family: Polygonaceae
• Average size: Up to 10 feet
• Where it grows: Japanese Knotweed is one of the most invasive plant species in the world, as it can grow anywhere, including through concrete and asphalt.
• Identifying features: Japanese Knotweed has hollow, bamboo-like stems that are green with purple speckles. These stems support heart-shaped leaves and small, creamy-white flowers that grow in clusters at the top of the plant.
• Control methods: Herbicide treatment would be best to control these invasive garden weeds. However, you could also excavate this weed by digging up the plant and removing all rhizomes.

Milk Thistle

• Type of plant: Annual or biennial
• Family: Asteraceae
• Average size: Up to 6 ft
• Where it grows: Milk thistle thrives in disturbed soils, such as pastures, fields, and along roadsides. 
• Identifying features: The most notable elements of the appearance of milk thistle are its large, spiny leaves and purple flowers, which bloom in the summer. The plant also produces a milky sap when cut or broken, hence its name.
• Control methods: Milk thistle has a deep root system, but regular mowing and cutting can help prevent seed production. Also, herbicides can be effective, but you must avoid damage to non-target plants. Preventing the spread of milk thistle is key, so it is essential to properly dispose of any plant material or seeds to prevent further infestations.

Nettle

• Type of plant: Herbaceous perennial
• Family: Urticaceae
• Average size: Up to 1-2 metres
• Where it grows: Nettles are often found in damp areas such as meadows, hedgerows, and woodland edges.
• Identifying features: One of the most recognizable features of nettles is their leaves, which are pointed and serrated. They are typically a bright green and have a rough, hairy texture. Also, nettles produce clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers that are greenish-white.
• Control methods: It is best to wear protective clothing and use a safe weed killer for the surrounding plants and wildlife to control these weeds. Alternatively, you can cut them back regularly to prevent them from growing too tall and spreading too much.

Ragweed

• Type of plant: Annual
• Family: Asteraceae
• Average size: Up to 1-2 metres
• Where it grows: Ragweed can be found in fields, gardens, and waste areas.
• Identifying features: Ragweed grows small, greenish-yellow flowers that cluster at the top of the stem. These flowers can produce a significant amount of pollen, making them a common cause of allergies. Additionally, ragweed produces feathery green leaves that are finely divided.
• Control methods: Hand-pulling can be effective when ragweed is young, but wearing gloves and long sleeves is crucial to avoid contact with the leaves. On the other hand, mowing can prevent ragweed from going to seed, but you must do this before the flowers have developed. Although you may use herbicides, following the instructions carefully and applying them appropriately to avoid damage to other plants is essential.

Making Getting Rid of Weeds Less of A Chore

Identifying and controlling garden weeds is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and persistence. By learning how to identify weeds and understanding the best ways to eliminate them, you can keep your garden healthy and beautiful year-round. So, remember to take preventative measures, such as regular weeding and using mulch, to help reduce weed growth in the first place. You can read our guide on making weeding less of a chore to help ease the pain of this job! And if weeds start to take over, don’t panic – with some knowledge and some elbow grease, you can get your garden back under control. If you can stay vigilant and keep on top of weed identification and control, your garden (and your back) will thank you!

Garden Weeds Identification FAQs

What Are The 4 Methods Of Controlling Weeds?

Although there are several methods you can use to control weeds, the four most common approaches are: 

• Mechanical Control – Physically removing weeds from the soil using tools like hoes, weed pullers, and tillage equipment.
• Chemical Control – Using selective or non-selective herbicides to kill weeds. Selective herbicides kill only specific types of weeds, while non-selective herbicides kill all plants they come into contact with.
• Biological Control – Using living organisms, such as insects or fungi, to control weed growth. This method is often used in agricultural settings where it is difficult to control weeds using other methods.
• Cultural Control – Modifying the environment to make it less favourable for weed growth. This can include crop rotation, mulching, and proper irrigation.

How Do You Stop Weeds From Growing Permanently?

Stopping weeds from growing permanently is difficult since weed seeds can persist in soil for years and may sprout at any time. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce weed growth in the long term:

• Remove existing weeds
• Mulch
• Plant dense ground cover
• Use landscape fabric
• Maintain a healthy lawn or garden
• Hand pull weeds as they appear:

When Do Garden Weeds Start Growing In The UK?

The timing of weed growth can vary depending on various factors such as climate, soil conditions, and location. However, weeds generally start growing in the UK during the early spring months of March and April, when temperatures begin to warm up and daylight hours increase. As the weather gets warmer, weed growth typically accelerates throughout the summer, reaching its peak in July and August.

When Do Garden Weeds Stop Growing In The UK?

The growth of weeds in the UK typically slows down and eventually stops during the winter months of December through February as the temperatures drop and daylight hours decrease. However, this can vary depending on the type of weed and the local weather conditions. Some types of weeds, such as perennial weeds, may grow slowly even in colder weather, and some annual weeds can germinate and grow during milder winters. Therefore, it is important to continue monitoring your lawn or garden for weeds throughout the year and take appropriate measures to control them, regardless of the season.

Sources

BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. (n.d.). Field Bindweed. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/solve-problems/field-bindweed/ 

Wild Food UK. (n.d.). Hairy Bittercress. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.wildfooduk.com/edible-wild-plants/hairy-bittercress/ 

Wikipedia. (2022, August 27). Bugloss. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugloss 

Woodland Trust. (2022, June 28). Giant Hogweed: Identification and Control. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2022/06/giant-hogweed-facts/ 

Wikipedia. (2023, August 22). Goosegrass. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goosegrass 

The Wildlife Trusts. (n.d.). Groundsel. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/groundsel 

Scottish Natural Heritage. (n.d.). Himalayan Balsam. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.invasivespecies.scot/himalayan-balsam 

Love The Garden. (n.d.). How to Get Rid of Couch Grass. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en/garden-problem/couch-grass 

UC IPM. (2021, January 19). Dandelion. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/dandelion.html 

The Wildlife Trusts. (n.d.). Dock. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/dock 
The Wildlife Trusts. (n.d.). Fat Hen. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/fat-hen