In order to understand which weeds are the most common in your region, you need to understand what kind of roots they have. Weeds with tap roots are especially hard to pull because part of the root breaks off and regrows. On the other hand, weeds with creeping roots or rhizomes are more difficult to pull because they leave fragments behind. Some weeds with creeping roots include speedwell, couch grass and bluebells.
Common weeds
Crabgrass is one of the most common weeds found in the Northeast United States. This perennial flowering plant grows two to four feet tall. It spreads by sending up creeping stems that root at their nodes. Its leaves are long and oval-shaped. It blooms from mid-spring to late summer.
Lamb’s quarters is an invasive weed that grows in many regions of the U.S. Its leaves are edible. The leaves are green with red flashes and taste good when picked young. As the plant grows larger, it becomes bitter. Its leaves are about 12 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. Their margins are wavy. They grow to 4ft high and are covered with seed heads resembling a fox’s tail.
Another common weed found in the Northeast is the broadleaf plantain. It has large leaves and seed stalks that appear in the summer. This perennial weed thrives in areas of poor soil and can be controlled by applying broadleaf herbicide. If you have a patch of broadleaf plantain on your lawn, you should aerate it regularly.
Common chickweed is another common weed that can be easily recognized. It grows in moist shaded areas and has a shallow root system. It should be pulled before it flowers and sprayed with a post-emergent herbicide. Because it can survive in shady areas, it is best to plant turfgrass species in these areas to give weeds the best possible competition.
The most effective way to get rid of weeds is to identify them. Different types of herbicides are formulated to kill different weeds, so it’s important to know which one you’re dealing with. No product is 100% effective at killing every weed.
Perennial weeds
Perennial weeds in the Northeast United States can cause trouble for gardeners. Unlike annual weeds, perennial weeds reproduce by seeds. They can be invasive and crowd out native plants. They can even force their way through concrete and other hard surfaces. Some of them are edible and can be used as a garnish.
Speedwells are among the earliest weeds to appear on lawns. They grow in shaded areas and have creeping stems. The leaves are green and have wavy edges. Depending on the species, they can grow to six to 36 inches tall. Their bluish-green flowers are surrounded by yellow-green bracts. The plant produces milky sap from its stems and leaves, which makes it easier to identify.
Buckhorn plantain, also called English plantain, is another perennial weed that can be troublesome for gardeners. The roots can be cooked or used as parsnips. It grows throughout the continental U.S., except for Florida, and southern Canada. It can be easily identified by pulling on the stems.
The best way to manage pigweed is to remove it in the spring, as its seeds germinate very quickly and can easily seed other plants. The weed will return the following year and root in the soil. It is best to mulch the area to prevent it from sprouting.
Dandelions are another perennial weed. They bloom in the spring and produce yellow flowers. Bees, which prefer grassy, weed-free lawns, do not thrive on dandelions. They are a poor source of protein. They are better for bees than a grass-free lawn, but not as good as a well-tended garden full of varied plants.
Rhizomes
Weeds reproduce in a number of ways, including through rhizomes and seeds. Some spread by seed while others spread by stolons, which are underground stems that shoot out roots. A few are fast-growing while others are slow-growing, but they all have similar characteristics. For example, some have longer rhizomes than others. This allows them to quickly establish and spread in an area.
While a majority of weeds are annuals, others are biennials. Biennials, on the other hand, send up a flowering stalk their second year, but they die after flowering. Common weeds that have this feature include burdock, evening primrose, and mullein. These plants also produce fluffy seedheads.
Another common weed is purslane, which creeps across pavements and interlocking brick work. They produce a rhizome, or underground horizontal root extension, that sends up new shoots every 8 to 12 inches. They grow to 2 to four feet in height and spread via wind, seeds, and wind-blown seeds.
Pigweed is another common weed in the Northeast. These weeds have small rubbery leaves on low-growing stems. They also have cup-shaped seeds. They can be controlled by using a broad-leaf herbicide or by hand-pulling. They often appear during hot, dry weather and root on compost piles.
Queen Anne’s Lace, which is a common weed in the Northeast, is also considered a weed. This plant attracts predatory lady beetles, wasps, and flies, which prey on garden pests, including aphids.
Broadleaf Plantain is the second most common broadleaf weed in the Northeast, overtaking lawns and poking through garden beds. It thrives in a variety of soils, including densely compacted soil. It is important to aerate lawns and garden beds to prevent Broadleaf Plantain from taking over. While many weeds are harmful and invasive, some are beneficial and may attract pollinators.
Field Bindweed
Field bindweed is a perennial plant with a wide range of growth habits. The seeds can germinate at varying temperatures and moisture levels and emerge from the soil in spring and early summer. The seedlings develop regenerative root buds that support regrowth after defoliation. However, field bindweed is difficult to control once it has established itself.
Field bindweed has two varieties. Hedge bindweed is larger than field bindweed and has two large leafy bracts below the flowers. It is drought tolerant and reproduces by rhizomes and stem fragments. It also produces seeds that can remain in the soil for twenty years, making it a difficult weed to eradicate.
This summer weed is one of the most difficult to control in the garden. Its puffy seeds get blown far and wide. Even a single plant will develop a dense colony. This weed has deep roots and can be resistant to herbicides.
Field Bindweed is a broadleaf herbaceous perennial that reproduces by seeds, rhizomes, and shoots. Its flowers are small and appear in racemes. Typically, it grows two to four feet tall.
While some weeds are noxious, many of them have redeeming qualities, such as white clover. If you want to get rid of a weed, you should identify it before it becomes a problem. Once you identify it, you can either hoe it at the juvenile stage, or spray it with an herbicide.
This weed can be eaten and has many uses. The leaves are high in vitamins and minerals and can be prepared similar to spinach. Its stems are also prized for food. While it can be eaten, make sure to source it from a pesticide-free area.