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Losing the fight against weeds

matmarcantoniomatmarcantonio Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi all,

I'm new to the forum so I apologise as I'm sure this is a constant request. Can anyone identify these weeds and suggest ways for eradicating them.

I'm trying to get the grass back on track but I'm losing the will at the moment. Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Posts

  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    They look like (top) creeping buttercup and (middle) clover, not 100%. I tend to leave clover but with creeping buttercup if that's what it is I'd rake it out, it just spreads through rhizomes. It's a nuisance at my allotment and on my beds I remove it and keep borders in check with digging and strips of cardboard as it works it's way back in.
  • AstroAstro Posts: 433
    To add these weeds often thrive when the grass isn't, this might be to do with compacted soil, thatch or scalping when mowing. This in my somewhat amateur experience 🙂
  • matmarcantoniomatmarcantonio Posts: 2
    Astro said:
    They look like (top) creeping buttercup and (middle) clover, not 100%. I tend to leave clover but with creeping buttercup if that's what it is I'd rake it out, it just spreads through rhizomes. It's a nuisance at my allotment and on my beds I remove it and keep borders in check with digging and strips of cardboard as it works it's way back in.
    Thanks for that Astro. I'll give raking a trial and see how it goes.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    edited May 2019
    Top two are Geranium robertianum (Herb Robert/cranesbill) it has quite nice pink flowers as you can see in the second photo but does spread itself about. By seed as it is a annual/biannual
    Middle is one of the medick's I would make a stab at Black medick Medicago lupulina

    I can't tell what the thrid one is I'm afraid


  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Not creeping buttercup or Herb Robert. Herb Robert's leaves are finely divided and it has a distinctive smell. But it does look like something in the geranium family. I have it but I havent bothered to find out exactly what it is. Here in Dordogne I have given up getting rid of lawn weeds. At least they stay green when the grass is burnt in the hot summers.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I think the first one is Dove's Foot Geranium (Geranium molle)
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited May 2019
    Top two are Doves foot Cranesbill. Geranium family as Busy Lizzie said.
    Trefoil or Black Medic is the yellow mini clover looking thing.
    The last one is not clear (to me at least), is the white flower part of it?

    A go with weed and feed or something like Verdone if you have a lot of them and no time to weed by hand.
    The little yellow Medicago can be a pain if it gets hold, I used some Verdone on it to get a grip, but now mostly hand weed the odd patch.

    Feeding the grass and not cutting it too short will help. And use the grass box on your mower if you have what you consider problem weeds.

    Edit sorry @Skandi I didn't see you had already identified the Black Medic.
    Also matt if you use a hand fork or spring tined rake on the Black medic you can usually find the centre of it as most of the stems lift up and easier to dig out. It is usually shallow, only being hard if it has been left growing for a while.
    I think one version is harder or it roots as it spreads.
    Look them up.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Don’t despair, weeds are all a part of gardening, yesterday as I was strolling around I thought,  I don’t remember planting Ammi or Angelica or similar at the back of the border, lovely big heads of fluffy white flowers, what was it?  Blooming ground elder! 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Jess is in the GardenJess is in the Garden Posts: 1,022
    Lyn said:
    Don’t despair, weeds are all a part of gardening, yesterday as I was strolling around I thought,  I don’t remember planting Ammi or Angelica or similar at the back of the border, lovely big heads of fluffy white flowers, what was it?  Blooming ground elder! 
    Noooooo! Having spent the best part of a month removing acres of it from a blank canvas, abandoned garden, I feel for you!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I usually keep on top of it, garden was just covered in places when I came here, but a few of the blighters have slipped through it seems, shame cos it’s quite pretty. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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