Coal season broadleaf weeds are a major problem throughout Texas where
mild temperatures stimulate luxuriant growth during winter and spring. These
weeds including dandelion, chickweed, henbit, burweed and clover are particularly
troublesome in early spring when warm season turfgrasses are dormant. Not
only are these weeds unsightly, but they increase mowing requirements and
delay the recovery of desirable grasses. Likewise, warm season broadleaf
weeds including woodsorrel, spurge and buttonweed are troublesome during
summer months.
Controlling broadleaf weeds helps turfgrasses develop a dense, uniform cover
that resists further weed invasion, reduces mowing requirements and improves
the appearance of a property. On sports fields and golf courses, weed control
also improves the safety and uniformity of playing surfaces.
Regular mowing and proper fertilization during late winter and spring improves
the appearance of turf areas and reduces the competition weeds provide,
but does not eliminate them fromt he turf. Chemical control with nonselective
herbicides in dormant bermudagrass or with selective herbicides in others
will remove weeds from the turfgrass.
When selecting a herbicide, accurate identification of weeds is the first
step to successful weed control. Descriptions and controls of some common
broadleaf weeds follows.
Common Broadleaf Weeds in Turfgrasses