Heat or cold, weeds take no break here. Some common weeds in Maryland range from broadleaf weeds like chickweed, deadnettle, and henbit to grassy weeds like crabgrass and annual bluegrass. You might also have to deal with the very hard-to-control yellow nutsedge in Maryland.
This article explains how to get rid of the most common lawn nuisances in Maryland landscapes and keep these aggressive invaders at bay.
Common chickweed: Stubborn winter weed
This is a fast-spreading winter annual broadleaf weed. It grows close to the ground, forming low, dense green mats, with stems branching out new roots plunking down into the soil.
Where does the name come from? Chickens are actually fond of this weed and devour it wherever they see it. Maryland’s weed identification is confusing, but with chickweed, you only have to look for its tiny little flowers to confirm something’s off with your lawn.
Scientific name: Stellaria media
Plant type: Broadleaf annual
Identification: Produces many little white, star-shaped flowers
Preferred habitat: Shaded areas and moist soil
Active season: This winter annual weed germinates in the fall, makes its debut in the winter, and spreads its seeds in the spring
Uses: Often used for microgreens or tea
How to get rid of chickweed: Use a pre-emergent broadleaf herbicide early in spring or remove manually (entire root system)
If left unchecked: Chickweed can attract moths, mites, and some vegetable diseases if left unchecked
Is it dangerous? No, chickweed is edible
What is chickweed telling you about your lawn? Chickweed in a lawn indicates poor soil drainage or overly moist soil.
What to do about it: Cut back on irrigation and add organic matter to the soil to make it more porous and improve its drainage. Aerating the lawn will help to relieve soil compaction and allow water, air, and fertilizer to penetrate the soil, making it strong and resilient against weeds.
Crabgrass: Most invasive
Often referred to as the Mother of all Maryland Summer Weeds, crabgrass appears early in summer and takes over yards of every shape and size. You might also know this weed as hairy crabgrass.
Crabgrass loves hot, dry climates and grows super aggressively, killing off existing grass and eventually dying and spreading its seed to continue the infestation for years.
Scientific name: Digitaria sanguinalis
Plant type: Summer annual weed
Identification: Has a crab-like appearance due to its wide, flat blades. The plant spreads across the ground
Preferred habitat: Disturbed lawns
Active season: Germinates in early spring and spreads quickly, till late July
Uses: It is edible and used as a grain or in some cereals and porridge.
How to get rid of crabgrass: Best handled with pre-emergent herbicides as a preventative measure. However, breakouts need to be controlled with post-emergent weed control.
If left unchecked: This aggressive weed will choke out desirable grass and leave thin, bare areas behind after it dies out. These patches will fill with more weeds later.
Is it harmful? Not for humans, but is toxic in large amounts for pets.
What is crabgrass telling you about your lawn? Your lawn is thin and stressed, either due to low mowing or insufficient nutrition, water, and drainage. A lawn filled with crabgrass could also indicate high soil fertility.
According to Debbie Dillion, a horticulture extension agent at North Carolina State University, high soil fertility could be a sign that you are over-fertilizing and putting too much nitrogen on your lawn.
What to do about it: “You should test your soil to see what nutrients it needs” Dillon suggests. Generally, maintaining healthy turf will prevent crabgrass invasion.
Dandelions: Pretty but destructive
Found all over the world, this is one of the most common spring weeds in Maryland. Dandelions develop a hollow stem and have deep, long taproots. It emits a milky sap when you break a branch.
As pretty as they look, dandelions are still lawn weeds and need to be taken care of before they can take charge of your turf. Dandelions develop a resilient, shallow taproot system that makes them competitive for soil nutrients and space for growth.
An average plant produces 15,000 seeds – the part of the pappus with noticeable feathery white hairs that disperse through wind and germinate upon landing. With this spreading and germination speed, dandelions overtake existing lawns and get out of hand in no time.
Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale
Plant type: Broadleaf weed
How to identify: Recognize this weed from its yellow flowers and tooth-like leaves around the top. These flowers turn into white puffballs when they mature and you’d see their seeds disperse through the wind.
Preferred habitat: Moist areas in full sun
Active season: Flowers are easiest to spot during spring but often grow year-round in mild climates.
Uses: A common source of nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies.
How to get rid of dandelions: They are notoriously challenging to remove. Hand pulling only works if you go deep enough to remove the entire taproot system. Make sure you chop the remaining roots into pieces and dispose of them. You can spot-treat with a liquid, post-emergent, selective, broadleaf weed killer when weeds are actively growing.
If left unchecked: Their puffy tops might look good but dandelions will completely take over your lawn if left untreated. Under the soil and atop. They may also host yellow aster disease and excess minerals that will damage mowing equipment.
Is it toxic? No, it’s used for tea and as an ingredient in several cuisines.
What are dandelions telling you about your lawn? You may be cutting your grass too short because dandelions breed in weak and disturbed lawns. Also, your lawn may have acidic soil with low calcium levels and excessive potassium because dandelions thrive in this environment.
What to do about it: Keep the grass trimmed at the recommended height, test your soil’s pH levels, and treat the soil as needed.
Ground ivy: Most common summer weed
This is another common invasive Maryland weed that has the potential to choke out your lawn if left unchecked. Flowering ground ivy or creeping Charlie features clusters of purple flowers and scalloped leaves that make your lawn look nice in the summer but ultimately kill it.
This broadleaf weed is a low-growing, creeping plant that will root at nodes and give off a distinct, minty odor when crushed.
Scientific name: Glechoma hederacea
Plant type: Broadleaf perennial
How to identify: Clusters of purple flowers, square stems, and a minty fragrance
Preferred habitat: Loves damp, shady areas and moist soil but will also grow in full sun
Active season: Fall and spring
Uses: It’s edible and used to treat coughs and other respiratory illnesses
How to get rid of ground ivy: Use a weeding tool or hand-pull ground ivy, but this is neither a practical nor a long-term solution because this weed spreads by creeping stems. In case of a serious infestation, apply a broadleaf weed killer during active growth.
If left unchecked: Will grow dense mats that crowd out other plants.
Is it dangerous? Not poisonous to humans but is toxic to pets.
What is ground ivy telling you about your lawn? It’s a sign that the soil pH balance is off in your lawn. It could also be because of poor drainage, excessive watering, or too much shade.
What to do about it: Maintain your lawn’s pH levels, increase sunlight exposure, and keep up with a solid fertilization schedule (make sure you check and comply with Maryland’s fertilizer law)
Henbit: Fond of disturbed lawns
Another winter annual with broad leaves, henbit germinates and vegetates over fall and winter and produces flowers in the spring. These flowers and seeds later die out as the temperatures rise.
Henbit is a member of the mint family and has a fast-spreading habit. However, despite the quick growth, this weed does not typically compete for soil nutrients.
Scientific name: Lamium amplexicaule
Plant type: Broadleaf annual
How to identify: Produces pink and purple flowers that sit atop hairy, square stems and whorl petals.
Preferred habitat: Cool, moist conditions, and disturbed lawns (from heavy foot traffic, weather, or improper lawn care practices)
Active season: Seeds germinate in fall or winter
Uses: Commonly used in medicinal teas for its anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties. Also treats several skin ailments.
How to get rid of henbit: Handpick the weeds with an appropriate weeding tool. Herbicide treatments may also help in serious infestations
If left unchecked: Henbit attracts spider mites and tomato wilting disease when left untreated
Is it harmful? No, henbit is edible but exercise caution to prevent misidentifying similar plants
What is henbit telling you about your lawn? Your grass is thin or super weak, meaning, you’re either mowing your lawn too short or not using the right fertilizer for your lawn.
What to do about it: Maintain healthy, dense turf by making your lawn strong. Keep an aerated turf and provide adequate moisture.
Purple deadnettle: Likes neglected lawns
This close cousin to henbit is a winter annual weed that’s noticeable in early spring when its light purple flowers bloom. Purple deadnettle flowers then dies late in spring when the weather warms up. Deadnettle is a popular source of pollen for bees.
Belonging to the mint family, deadnettle has an aggressive and rapid growth pattern that can become hard to contain. It develops a fibrous root system that spreads underground and produces seeds in spring.
Scientific name: Lamium purpureum
Plant type: Broadleaf annual
How to identify: Deadnettle has square stems with triangular, overlapping, pointed leaves near the top. It produces pinkish-purple-lipped flowers.
Preferred habitat: Disturbed soil, especially along buildings and moist parts of the lawn
Active season: It begins to develop in the fall and completely forms flowers and seeds in spring.
Uses: It’s used as a medicinal herb in teas and broths for its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties
How to get rid of deadnettle: Hand-pull or use an appropriate tool to mechanically remove the weeds, if they are young. If you’re dealing with a widespread infestation, go for a broadleaf weed killer to counter active growth
If left unchecked: Will completely take over your lawn
Is it dangerous? It’s not poisonous or dangerous to touch
What is deadnettle telling you about your lawn? You have a thin lawn, low-nutrient soil, or you’re mowing your lawn too short.
What to do about it: Maintain healthy grass that is strong enough to compete with and prevent deadnettle invasion. Feed your lawn the proper nutrients and keep up with aeration and watering schedules. Take help from this detailed guide for monthly lawn maintenance.
Purslane: Flower and garden bed weed
This succulent weed thrives in Maryland’s hot, humid climate. It spreads rapidly, making it difficult to control.
Purslane is a fast-growing, invasive weed that can outcompete just about any other weed. It will create dense, low mats (less than 1 ft. tall), stems, and thick, succulent, light green to maroon-colored leaves on the undersides.
Scientific name: Portulaca oleracea
Plant type: Annual herbaceous, succulent weed
How to identify: Look for succulent leaves
Preferred habitat: Warm weather and will thrive in a wide range of soils. Loves to invade newly seeded turf and thrives in crevices between cracked cement and bricks.
Active season: Purslane is most active from spring to late summer
Uses: Some varieties are edible and coveted in high-end restaurants
How to get rid of purslane: Hand-pull weeds or spot-treat with a selective, broadleaf weed killer to manage infestation effectively.
If left unchecked: The aggressive growth will quickly take over large sections of your lawn and deplete it of essential nutrients and water.
Is it dangerous? It’s considered safe for human consumption but is toxic for animals because it contains soluble calcium oxalates (not safe for animals)
What is purslane telling you about your lawn? Purslane is an opportunist, it loves to invade new lawns with well-draining soils just as much as poorly maintained lawns. So even if you’re doing things right, you still might fall prey to this weed.
What to do about it: Keep up with regular mowing and maintain proper soil drainage.
Annual bluegrass: Most aggressive grassy weed
This short-lived weed grows in winter, dies out in the summer, and resembles grass. It grows in bunches and produces white tips on its stem. Bluegrass has boat-shaped leaves with seed clusters that produce more than 350 seeds.
Annual bluegrass is often mistakenly introduced into lawns by reseeding using a seed mixture contaminated with poa annua seeds. This is the easiest, and least concerning weed for Maryland homeowners. It grows aggressively and quickly but dies back naturally when the weather warms up and leaves bare spots all over the yard.
Scientific name: Poa annua
Plant type: Winter annual
How to identify: This weedy grass has a bunch-type growth habit and can be identified by clumping growth and seed head appearance in the yard
Preferred habitat: Moist, cool climate
Active season: Seeds germinate from late summer to early summer
Uses: Has a high vitamin and mineral content and is used for medicinal purposes
How to get rid of annual bluegrass: Remove young weeds by hand pulling or digging out the clumps using an appropriate weeding tool. In case of an infestation, use a pre-emergent herbicide
If left unchecked: It will invade your lawn and eventually die off completely as the weather warms up, leaving behind bald or brown patches in the yard.
Is it poisonous? This grassy weed isn’t poisonous but it may cause gastrointestinal disturbances if ingested in large amounts
What is annual bluegrass telling you about your lawn? You either have compacted soil that stays consistently moist, are maybe mowing too close to the ground, or have high nitrogen levels in your lawn.
What to do about it: Stop overwatering and avoid applying fertilizer with too much nitrogen content. Mow your grass at the recommended height. Also, core aerate in the fall to avoid soil compaction.
Dallisgrass: Hardest to control
This grassy weed grows in clumps that are spread by seeds and short, thick rhizomes in circles. Dallisgrass favors moist areas with improper drainage and thrives in the warmth of Maryland.
It resembles crabgrass, but Dallisgrass has greenish-yellow leaves and a white vein that runs down its center.
Scientific name: Paspalum dilatatum
Plant type: Perennial grass
How to identify: Grass has a yellow-green color with 1.5-inch wide blades and a prominent mid-rib. Touch to check if it has a coarse texture for confirmation.
Preferred habitat: Heavy, moist soil
Active season: Late May through October
Uses: Primarily used for pastures and serves as a food source for several bird species
How to get rid of dallisgrass: Hand-pull or use a weeding tool to remove weeds at the beginning of an infestation. If you’re late, a post-emergent herbicide that’s labeled to kill crabgrass will work. Spray small infestations with a non-selective herbicide that contains glyphosate.
If left unchecked: Dallisgrass grows uncontrollably and you’ll have no other option than to kill the rest of your grass to get rid of the infestation.
Is it toxic? Dallisgrass itself is not toxic, but it’s prone to getting infected and causes digestion issues and toxicity in animals if they consume it in an infected state.
What is dallisgrass telling you about your lawn? Your lawn has areas of poor drainage since these make a favorite spot for dallisgrass to attack.
What to do about it: Maintain healthy grass with regular mowing, watering, fertilization, and aeration. Reseed areas that you treat for a dallisgrass infestation.
Yellow nutsedge: Loves overwatered lawns
This Maryland weed forms dense colonies on a lawn and loves lawns with standing water on it. Nutsedge is hard to spot because it closely resembles grass but is crucial to detect and control before it wreaks havoc on your lawn.
Yellow nutsedge reproduces from small nutlets or tubers attached to rhizomes, or it can spread by seeds too. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and hard to kill.
Scientific name: Cyperus esculentus
Plant type: Perennial, classified as sedge
How to identify: Shiny, yellow-green, grass-like, and narrow leaves. Stems are three-sided and triangular in cross-section.
Preferred habitat: Loves wet areas with poor drainage
Active season: Hot summer months
Uses: Nutsedge’s tubers are known for their nutty flavor and are consumed in raw and cooked form.
How to get rid of yellow nutsedge: Mechanically remove the weeds; dig and pull out all the underground “nutlets” if you’re dealing with an infestation early on. If you have a full-blown infestation, spot-treat infected areas with a liquid, selective herbicide that contains the active ingredient halosulfuron or Sulfentrazone.
If left unchecked: Grows fast and strips the soil of water and nutrients.
Is it dangerous? Non-toxic for humans and animals
What is yellow nutsedge telling you about your lawn? You’re watering your lawn too much and it’s not draining properly.
What to do about it: Improve drainage and divert water to reduce the chances of infestation. Maintain a healthy turf and water the lawn on an as-needed basis instead of a regular schedule.
Purple nutsedge: Most aggressive sedge weed
This is a colony-forming weed that seriously impacts Maryland’s landscapes. Its top growth reaches 4 – 30 inches tall while the extensive underground network of basal bulbs, thin wiry rhizomes, and fibrous roots keep the plant intact.
Scientific name: Cyperus rotundus
Plant type: Perennial sedge
How to identify: Has a glossy green color and a distinctive erect triangular stem branching into three stems of purple seed pods
Preferred habitat: Moist and poorly drained areas
Active season: Summer
Uses: Tubers are edible and often used homeopathically
How to get rid of purple nutsedge: Use a post-emergent herbicide that’s specially formulated for nutsedge control to get rid of this weed
If left unchecked: Takes over your lawn and takes up all the water and nutrients that your grass needs
Is it dangerous? Its tubers are safe for humans and used as a medicine for several health issues but may be slightly toxic to animals if consumed in large amounts.
What is purple nutsedge telling you about your lawn? Your lawn may be heat-stressed and fighting for water and nutrients.
What to do about it: Keep up with regular mowing and watering.
Does your lawn need work?
So you spot some (or maybe too many) weeds in your lawn and are overwhelmed with how to keep them from eating up your yard. No worries, if you’re not sure what chemical or mechanical method to use, call a pro.
Our experts know how stubborn weeds can get and will employ intelligent techniques to not only contain them but also prevent them from coming back. One important prevention tip is to maintain a healthy lawn which starts from planting the right grass to keeping up with a regular care schedule.
Main Image Credit: hedera.baltica | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
