As fall arrives, you may start noticing a pesky little weed popping up in your lawn or garden: Hairy Bittercress. While it may not be as well-known as dandelions or clover, this weed can quickly take over if left unchecked.
At Top Turf Lawn Care & Pest Management, we want to help you identify, understand, and manage this common fall invader.
Hairy bittercress is a small, low-growing weed with:
Basal rosettes of leaves (forming a circular cluster near the ground)
Small white flowers with four petals
Slender seed pods that can shoot seeds several feet when disturbed
Kevin Thiele from Perth, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This weed thrives in cool, moist conditions—making fall and early spring its favorite time to grow.
It’s edible! Believe it or not, hairy bittercress is a member of the mustard family. Its peppery leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like other leafy greens. This doesn't necessarily mean you should eat wild hairy bittercress, but it's a fun fact!
Seed shooters: The seed pods can burst open and fling seeds a surprising distance, helping this weed spread quickly through your lawn or garden. That's why its such a tricky weed to get rid of.
Mow regularly: Frequent mowing can help prevent seed production and spreading.
Apply pre-emergent herbicides: Prevent seeds from germinating in the fall and spring with a well-timed pre-emergent application. Top Turf's Fertilization & Weed Control program delivers pre-emergents when your lawn needs them!
Maintain a healthy lawn: A dense, well-fertilized lawn leaves little room for weeds to establish. A full lawn is the best defense against weeds!
Andrew Conboy, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Controlling hairy bittercress (and many other seasonal weeds) often requires a more comprehensive approach. That’s where we come in.
Top Turf specializes in weed control as part of our Fertilization & Weed Control Program. Not only do we tackle weeds like hairy bittercress, but we also provide ongoing protection to keep your lawn healthy, lush, and beautiful year-round.
Hairy bittercress may seem like just another weed, but its ability to spread quickly makes it a challenge for homeowners. With the right prevention and treatment, you can keep it under control—and with Top Turf’s expertise, you don’t have to fight it alone.
Ready to enjoy a greener, weed-free lawn? Contact Top Turf Lawn Care & Pest Management today to learn more about our Fertilization & Weed Control Program.
+++
Featured title image at the top of the article source:
Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
.jpg){kind=link}
