NORTH CAROLINA weeds can easily ruin your beautiful, well-maintained lawn. Homeowners and gardeners spend thousands of dollars annually to control these weeds, but the war never ends. Let’s discuss some of these stubborn lawn weeds in NC and how to identify them.
The most common weeds in NC lawns include Nutsedge, Creeping Charlie, crabgrass, clover, Goosegrass, Foxtail, and Spurge. Whether you’re growing St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda, Fescue, or Centipede, your North Carolina property is vulnerable to these persistent weeds. Before you start eliminating them, identify the weeds so you can take corrective measures and change your lawn care habits.
The 7 Common North Carolina Lawn Weeds
Although there may be many lawn weeds in NC, these seven lawn weeds in NC are the most common. Identifying them is one thing and quite another to eliminate them.
In this part, you will learn the most common weeds North Carolina homeowners and gardeners struggle with daily.
1. Nutsedge
Nutsedge is among the most common North Carolina weeds, which spreads quickly in the lawn, overtaking the grass. It is a menace to most NC homeowners as it develops tubers as roots, making removing them difficult.
Although synonymous with waterlogged areas, nutsedge gives many North Carolina gardeners a headache. In most cases, the weed appears in areas with poor draining soil, or when you overwater your lawn.
2. Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie may look beautiful but it is actually a weed. This NC lawn weed is a herbaceous perennial and thrives in moist, shady areas. It does well in spots like under shrubs, trees, and on the north side of structures.
The plant propagates by stolons or seeds, and you can control it by trimming shrubs and trees to abolish the shade.
3. Crabgrass
Crabgrass is a renowned stubborn lawn weed not just in NC but in most parts of the United States. The weed will mostly appear in your lawn if you apply too much fertilizer, as it loves nitrogen.
In North Carolina, crabgrass sprouts between March and May and shows up in summer. It remains low to the ground spreading out horizontally instead of growing tall. Therefore, it can be tricky to prevent crabgrass because of its growing style.
4. Clover
Clover is a drought-tolerant, late-spring weed that quickly takes over stressed lawns. It is very attractive, dense-green, and looks healthy even when you haven’t applied any fertilizer.
The weed flourishes in acidic and compacted soils and those with low nitrogen levels.
5. Goosegrass
Goosegrass is another common weed in NC and appears in lawns with compacted soil and short grass. It has dark-green blades and grows low like crabgrass.
6. Foxtail
This bright green weed commonly grows on well-maintained lawns and roadsides. It is a dangerous and irritating plant that has short bristles on the end.
7. Spurge
Spurge is among the widespread broadleaf summer weeds in North Carolina that grow low to the ground. There are different varieties of this weed; you might confuse it for a flower because of its stunningly beautiful colors. Spurge flourishes in the heat and can easily take over your lawn in summer.
Lawn Weeds in NC FAQs
Q: What are the purple weeds of North Carolina?
A: Among the lawn weeds in NC, the annual purple weed found in NC lawns and gardens is purple deadnettle or Lamium Purpureum. It is a typical winter weed in North Carolina that appears like a henbit. The only difference between the two weeds is that henbit lacks petioles while purple deadnettle has petioles.
Q: What are the blue weeds of NC?
A: The blue weeds found in North Carolina are Oldfield toadflax or Nuttallanthus Canadensis. It is also known as blue toadflax and thrives in the Coastal Plain of NC. The weed is a winter annual plant that blooms on roadsides or gardens during spring.
Q: What are winter annual lawn weeds in NC?
A: The common winter annual NC weeds in grass include henbit, chickweed, dead nettle, Persian speedwell, and hairy bittercress. They are called winter annuals as they sprout in fall and develop fully in warm winter patches. These weeds produce seeds in spring and die in summer, then repeat the germinating cycle in the fall.
Bottom Line
Most lawn weeds North Carolina can damage the appearance of your attractive lawn and reduce your property’s value. Early identification and control are the best way to win the battle against these common weeds in NC.
Some of these weeds in NC include nutsedge, creeping Charlie, crabgrass, clover, goosegrass, foxtail, and spurge.
To maintain a healthy, weed-free lawn, take the appropriate corrective measures and lawn care actions.
