Weeds
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Weeds are described as plants growing where they are not wanted. They can disrupt the appearance and use of lawns, recreational areas, and other turfs. In addition, they compete with desired turfgrasses for space, water, nutrients, and light. Turf weeds may be grasses, grass-like plants (rushes and sedges), or broadleaf plants with annual, biennial, and/or perennial life cycles.
Weeds are classified as summer annuals, winter annuals, biennials, and perennials. Annuals complete their life cycles in one season by flowering, maturing seed, and dying. Summer annuals germinate from late March through July, depending on the location. They flower in the summer and die in the fall. Winter annuals germinate in the fall and early winter and usually die with warm weather in the spring or summer; however, they may continue to grow into early summer in cool seasons. Biennial weeds have a two-year life cycle. They create vegetative structures (leaves, stems, and roots) during the first year, and reproductive structures (flowers and seeds) the second. Perennials live more than two years and may produce seed each season.
This page has a list of factsheets for weeds commonly found in turf.
