Most Common Weeds - How to Fight Them

Weeds are the bane of all gardening enthusiasts and even those who only maintain a "cultivated lawn". Weeds grow everywhere and constantly, they are not demanding regarding substrate properties, location, watering or fertilising. Where nothing else grows, weeds will grow without problems. However, plants designated as weeds don't always have to be unwanted. Stinging nettle or daisies are considered weeds whilst simultaneously being sought after for their medicinal properties. Therefore, weeds in the negative sense can be considered plants that grow spontaneously in cultivated crops (in beds, in lawns) against the growers' wishes. Which "unwelcome" plants do we encounter most frequently in gardens and lawns?

Field Horsetail

Field horsetail (lat. Equisetum arvense) occurs mainly in cultivated fields among root crops or other vegetables. Field horsetail requires high soil moisture for successful growth, thriving in soils with a high groundwater level. When mechanically eliminating field horsetail, it's essential to bear in mind its strong and relatively long roots. The roots must be dug up in autumn and carefully collected so that as few as possible remain in the soil, ideally none. If some young shoots nevertheless appear in spring, the process can be repeated or a special chemical product for weed control can be used. The active ingredients of herbicides penetrate down to the roots and the horsetails gradually die off.

Common Chickweed

Common chickweed (lat. Stellaria media) belongs to the group of annual winter dicotyledonous weeds and is one of the most widespread in gardens. Although chickweed germinates throughout the year, it thrives best in autumn and spring. During this period, it can grow very quickly and thus create very dense growths – so-called carpets. These carpets most commonly form on uncultivated beds and under trees. A preventive measure against chickweed spreading is regular autumn digging and loosening. Where mechanical elimination no longer helps, herbicides must be employed. It's advisable to use them when the bed is heavily infested with chickweed and other perennial weeds.

Tip for fighting weeds – never leave mechanically removed weeds in piles on beds, they would soon take root again

Weeds in Ornamental Lawns

Enthusiasts who want to create an exemplary English lawn at home often have their plans spoiled by daisies, plantain, and dandelion.

Common Daisy

Common daisy (lat. Bellis perennis) is an "unwelcome ornament" of well-maintained lawns. While some people don't mind its presence, many try to get rid of it from their green pride by all means. Regular mowing doesn't bother daisies too much because the leaf rosettes are out of reach of the mowing blades, so they can regrow without problems after cutting. Daisy belongs to the group of dicotyledonous plants, therefore selective herbicides designed for controlling dicotyledonous plants are suitable for its chemical elimination.

Common Dandelion

Common dandelion (lat. Taraxacum officinale) is known by various folk names. It is a dicotyledonous plant, so for its chemical removal, it is necessary to use a herbicide designed for dicotyledonous weeds. Mechanical removal of dandelions is very demanding because the roots are very strong and deeply rooted. After pulling, at least a small piece of root often remains in the soil, which starts to grow again. Seed dispersal cannot be prevented either, which is very massive in the case of proximity to an unmown meadow with dandelions. The fight against common dandelion is therefore an endless process.

Hoary Plantain and Greater Plantain

Hoary plantain (lat. Plantago media) and greater plantain (lat. Plantago major) are other very resistant and, to the annoyance of gardeners, frequently occurring weeds. Plantain leaf rosettes grow very close to the ground, so the mower blades cannot cut them. Both types of plantain are dicotyledonous, therefore they are chemically controlled with herbicides for dicotyledonous plants.

Moss

Various types of moss occur in all lawns, their growth disrupts the appearance of the lawn and prevents grass from growing naturally. Prevention against moss spreading is regular spring and autumn mulching. If mulching doesn't help, chemical elimination of moss can be used. There are many special products designed for moss control.

Chemical Weed Control

When mechanical methods of weed removal, mulching... don't help, it is often necessary to resort to chemical elimination. There are many chemical products available that, according to their composition, are designed for controlling individual types of weeds.

Most Commonly Used Herbicides

Gladiátor is a total herbicide designed for annual and perennial weeds. Plants absorb this product exclusively through green parts, and thanks to assimilate flow, the chemical substances spread throughout the entire plant, which subsequently leads to the destruction of the whole plant. Gladiátor leaves no residues in the soil. Other representatives of total non-selective herbicides intended for eliminating all green vegetation include, for example, Kaput, Roundup aktiv (randap), Roundup gel.

The product Targa super is designed for controlling monocotyledonous plants. It is a selective spray herbicide developed for eliminating couch grass and other monocotyledonous (grass-like) weeds.

The largest number of chemical products is intended for controlling dicotyledonous weeds. Dicotyledonous weeds in lawns, strawberry beds, and under fruit trees can be controlled with Lontrel, Ranger, Starane, Tomigan, Banvel, Bofix, Dominátor.

There is also a large number of products for eliminating moss, such as Anti-mech, Mech K. O., Mech – stop, Mechožrout, Mogeton. Mechožrout is a product that eliminates moss and lichens on roofs, greenhouses, pavements, or tombstones. Removing moss with Mechožrout is very simple, requiring no mechanical human intervention. A major advantage is the prevention of further moss formation.

Ideal Time for Chemical Weed Control

The ideal time for weed control is when weeds are neither too small nor too large. It is important that they have sufficient leaf surface area to absorb the chemical substances. It is advisable to apply the chemical product before flowering. Application must be carried out in good weather when there is no threat of rain that would wash away the active substances. For the same reason, do not apply in the morning or evening when there is dew, or before planned irrigation. Choose calm conditions for chemical weed spraying so that the herbicide only reaches the intended area and does not eliminate surrounding vegetation.