Weed Problems of Garden Crops

Common Weeds in Louisiana Lawns

Controlling Weeds in Flower Beds

Torpedograss

Pull Weeds Before They Drop Seeds

Louisiana’s long growing season coupled with abundant rainfall makes weeds a constant problem for Louisiana gardeners. Weeds are categorized by 3 groups:

• Sedges
• Grass
• Broadleaf

The most notorious weed is yellow nutsedge, a member of the sedge family. Gardeners will encounter this weed no matter if growing crops in ground or in containers. Sedges can be identified by their triangular stems; you can feel the shape of the stem by rolling it between your fingers. Control of nutsedge is difficult because of the underground rhizomes connected like a chain. This weed can quickly take over your planting space.

Grassy weeds are also common in Louisiana; they can be annual or perennial. They usually grow in clumps and can be removed either by hand, using a shovel, or by applying herbicides. Grassy weeds usually have seed heads that pop up above the plant, and the seed head shape can be used to identify the weeds. Examples of grassy weeds include barnyardgrass and dallisgrass. A tip used to distinguish grassy weeds from other weeds are the parallel veins found in grassy weed leaves.

Broadleaf weeds are the opposite of grassy weeds. The leaves have netted veins, and broadleaf weeds can be annual or perennial. Broadleaf weeds present an equally challenging problem for Louisiana gardeners because of their persistence in the landscape. Examples of broadleaf weeds are clover and dandelion. Control of broadleaf weeds can be done by hand, using a shovel, or by applying herbicides.

• The LSU AgCenter’s webpage about Louisiana turfgrass weeds is a great resource for quick identification and control tips.
• The LSU AgCenter’s article “Controlling weeds in flowerbeds” tells the gardener different way to control weeds found in the landscape. The article details the difference between pre-emerge and post-emerge herbicides. It also identifies several common weeds found in Louisiana.
• The LSU AgCenter’s article “Torpedograss – one of the most difficult weeds to control” tells how difficult torpedograss is for Louisiana gardeners. It gives tip on identifying the weed and shows different pictures. The article shows control methods when the weed is in landscape beds and in lawns.
• The LSU AgCenter’s article and video “Pull those weeds before they drop their seeds” tells the gardener how important it is to manage weeds before weed seeds drop. The article goes over common weeds found in Louisiana.