Common Weeds in Florida and How to Treat Them
Weeds are a problem for homeowners everywhere, but in Tampa, the high humidity and warm weather allow them to run rampant if left unchecked. The key to taking care of weeds - and making sure they are gone for good - is to truly understand them, how they work, and what treatments work best for them. Check out Tampa’s common weed culprits below, and learn how to keep them out of your landscape for good.
Tampa’s Most Common Weeds
- Black Medic: The Black Medic is found all over the United States, and has even made its way to Hawaii. This prolific plant is dark green and color, and tends to pop up in the summertime. Since this weed spreads quickly, it is best to get rid of it as soon as you see it sprout. It has a tendency to take over lawns that are not well-maintained.
- Crabgrass: Crabgrass is one of the most prolific complaints when it comes to weeds in Tampa. Characterized by a flat blade with a sharp point, Crabgrass usually appears purple or tan and grows in full sun. This weed especially loves Florida, as the warm weather eliminates a high threat of frost, one of the main killers of this pest.
- Broadleaf Weeds: Broadleaf isn’t as much a weed itself as it is a category. Broadleaf weeds include common pests like Asiatic hawksbeard, oxalis, creeping beggarweed, pennywort, and matchweed. Broadleaf weeds are characterized by having a broad leaf shape.
- Dandelions: The dandelion isn’t just common in Tampa, but in all of Florida and across much of the United States. Characterized by a long stem ending in a puffball or yellow flower, these weeds can spread very quickly if left unchecked. The puffballs form when the plant is ready to spread its seeds, and the wind (or passing children) blows the seeds off of the puffball and away from the plant to create new weeds.
How Do You Get Rid of Them?
So now you know all about the most common weeds in Tampa, but the question remains - how do you get rid of them? While hand pulling is the most common remedy for visible weeds, it doesn’t quite remedy the problem. Since most weeds in Tampa need warm weather to survive, cold temperatures keep them from thriving. Unfortunately, Tampa rarely has temperatures cold enough to kill them, so methods other than Mother Nature must be deployed to take care of the problem!
Prevent Weeds Before they Take Root
Check out these great ways to take care of weeds before they even become a problem!
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Don’t Disturb the Soil! Like most plants, weed seeds need sunlight to germinate. The weeds that you see at the surface have already germinated and started to grow, but there are likely plenty of seeds down below the surface of the soil just waiting to start growing. Don’t give them that chance! Avoid using high-powered soil tillers, and instead till the soil by hand if possible.
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Mulch, Mulch, Mulch! Mulch does a lot more than just look pretty in your landscape. It also goes a long way toward smothering weeds and making sure they don’t get the sunlight, moisture or nutrients they need to thrive. A layer of mulch 2-4 inches deep should be sufficient to keep weeds at bay.
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Use Herbicides! If weeds seem to be getting the better of you, herbicides might be the way to go. Be sure to select a pre-emergent herbicide that will kill the weeds you don’t want, but will leave your existing plants unharmed. For herbicides, planning in advance is the way to go.
Too Much Work and Not Enough Time?
If the weeds are still getting the best of your landscape and you’re tired of doing all the dirty work yourself, it might be time to call in the professionals. Your Green Team has the tools and the know-how to take care of your weed problem, and bring your landscape back to its former, pre-weed glory. You shouldn’t have to spend your weekends in the dirt.