The summer heat in North Texas creates the ideal conditions for weeds to thrive. Without a professional weed control service to support you, unwanted plants can quickly take over your lawn. Among the most common weeds wreaking havoc on lawns at this time of year is spotted spurge. If you notice these low-growing plants in your yard, here are the important facts to keep your turf protected from these persistent weeds.
What Are the Best Ways to Detect and Treat Spotted Spurge?
The spotted weed known as spurge thrives in the heat of a Texas summer. Spotted spurge seeds are especially good at finding the thin, weak spots in your lawn and taking root. Each plant is capable of producing several thousand seeds each year, which is how it’s able to spread with such surprising speed. While spurge is considered to be a summer annual, the seeds that fall late in the summer season are capable of overwintering and then sprouting early in the spring of the following year. Just five weeks after germination, those spurge weeds will start to produce seeds. This makes early treatment absolutely imperative.
How to Recognize the Signs of Spotted Spurge
You’ll know you’re dealing with spurge if you find a plant with dark green foliage and red stems. It grows in a matted formation, increasing in size from a central point. Leaves are oval-shaped and have a red spot, which is why the weed is often referred to as “spotted spurge.” Its blooms are small and pink. If you come into contact with it, be aware that it has a white, milky sap that can be irritating to your skin. In addition to heat, spotted spurge also likes compacted, poor soil. This means that if your lawn is thin and you haven’t scheduled regular lawn aeration services, your grass may be more susceptible to an infestation of spurge. With a long taproot and tough seeds, keeping spurge from returning can be especially difficult.
Techniques for Preventing Outbreaks of Spotted Spurge
Spotted spurge spreads quickly, especially in the heat of a Texas summer. The professionals at Green Top Lawn Care use several methods to control and prevent outbreaks of spotted spurge. We often begin by hand-pulling mature plants to stop them from leaving even more seeds behind on your lawn. It may also be helpful to cover the area with a thick layer of mulch to smother any young plants that are just emerging. Another approach is application of herbicide; this is usually most effective when plants are young. Mature plants tend to be hardy enough to withstand most herbicide compounds, so the hand-pulling and smothering become useful techniques.
Timing is key when dealing with a summer weed like spotted spurge. One of the benefits of hiring a weed control professional is the preventative treatments they bring to lawn care. By initially starting with aeration, professionals break up the soil to offer better conditions for grass growth. After aeration, a pre-emergent herbicide application can reach deep into the soil to prevent spotted spurge seeds from germinating. This carefully timed approach stops weeds in their tracks and keeps your lawn looking its best.
Best Weed Control Services for North Texas Lawns
Green Top Lawn Care is your best choice for eliminating spotted spurge in North Texas. Our experienced lawn care specialists provide expert weed control services, aeration, lawn disease management and other crucial services for your grass and soil. Call (817) 684-4044 or request a free weed control quote today.
