Lawn & Turf Tips:  Common/Mouse-Ear Chickweed

Common / Mouse-Ear Chickweed

Common Chickweed

Description

Common Chickweed-has smooth, pointed leaves and likes moist, rich cultivated soil in shaky areas and cool, damp weather. Mouse-Ear Chickweed -has elongated, hairy leaves and thrives in wet, infertile soil and full sunlight.  Both flowers most of the year.  Chickweed grows from seeds that sprout in the fall and live for less than a year.

Conditions

They grow primarily in damp, shady areas under trees and shrubs and on the north side of buildings.  It invades home lawns when the begin to thin out from insects, disease, mechanical damage, or shade.  It forms a dense mat that crowds out grass.  

Mouse-Ear Chickweed

Cultural Control

Hoe, but remove plants after they have been cut or new roots will sprout.  Maintain a well watered, properly fertilized and thick lawn to prevent these weeds from taking a hold in your lawn.  Do not cut your lawn too short.

Chemical Control

During active growth in early spring or late fall, treat the lawn with a weed killer containing    2,4-D and mecoprop.  Repeated applications may be necessary.  Do not water for 2 days after a treatment.