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Help ID weeds

kris_barclaykris_barclay Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi, I was disappointed having rid my grass of weeds just a couple of months ago (using the Fiskars picker to ensure they come out at the root and plugging the holes with grass seed and soil), to see such prolific numbers of weeds coming back. I’ve tried spraying two different weed killers but neither have had much affect.

Please can someone at least identify what these weeds are? And is there a great deal more I should be doing, beyond patience and gradual over seeding to thicken things up?!

Thanks in advance!
Kris

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    1.  Looks like Stinging nettle ... I’ll leave it to you to confirm that. 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Hallo Kris, and welcome to the forum.  I'm afraid weeds are everywhere; most of them are controllable, but you'll never eliminate them.  They produce lots of seed when the flowers fade, many of which get airborne (think of dandelion clocks) and they can travel long distances.  Also birds eat them, some pass through the bird undigested and get deposited in a dollop of fertiliser which gives them a good start in life.

    Part of the solution to lawn weeds is regular mowing, so they don't get a chance to flower and set seed.  Also having the tops repeatedly cut off weakens the plant and some will eventually give up.  
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Think of weeds as the garden equivalent to dusting.  No matter how well you clean it up there's always more the next cleaning day.

    Your grass looks as tho it would benefit form a good raing to remove thatch.  You can do this manually with a sprint-tined rake or hire or buy a small scarifier whcih will do the job thoroughly and quickly.  Depends on your energy levels and the size of your lawn as to which is best for you.

    Having thus cragged the grass and allowed light and air to the surface you can decide whether an autumn weed and feed is necessary and also re-sow any bare patches.   Follow the instructions carefully so you don't burn your lawn.

    After all that's done you can mow the grass but, as winter is upon us, keep the blades set high so you don't scalp it as longer grass will survive winter's cold and wet better than scalped and will also fight off competition from opportunist weeds.  Rather than blitz your garden with chemicals, you can also use a narrow bladed weeder to hoik out deeper rooted weeds such as dock and dandelion.  nettles are shallow rooted and easily pulled.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • kris_barclaykris_barclay Posts: 2
    Thanks very much for the advice, some of which I have been doing. I actually scarified it earlier in the year and there’s no moss or anything. I appreciate I’ll do so again next year but I put down a lot of new seed and wouldn’t want to rip it up too soon.

    I don’t think any of these weeds are nettles. I’ve got a lot of these in particular and it would be great I anyone could make a positive ID.


  • Christine 14Christine 14 Posts: 43
    I think it might be mullein (not sure if that is the right spelling).  Does it have a small flower spire?
  • Christine 14Christine 14 Posts: 43
    Correction - I should have said I think it could be Plantain.  Rosette of leaves with a spike of flowers (very small)
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