Ugh...the Weeds

Ugh, seriously, this one sucks.  It isn't very hard to pull, but when you pull it the little nutlets break off and regrow a bunch more. You can very carefully dig it up successfully. Some people have used molasses and eliminated it over time (18+ months). Vinegar may damage it a little...sometimes. There are some synthetic herbicides that work well with consistent use. One of these is Ortho's Nutsedge Killer. There is an end in sight, I promise.  This one takes some patience. 

Fun fact...it is sometimes called Earth Almond or Chufa. The tuberous roots can be eaten raw or cooked and are sweet/nutty. If only the deer knew this! 

This is an annual weed that shows up in cool weather. You will see it in your yard when dormant and all over your flower beds just when you think gardening has shut down for winter. It is very easy to pull once it's big enough to grab. Pre-emergents are used to prevent the seeds from germinating, but the timing can be difficult. It can be sprayed with an organic or synthetic herbicide. 

These vining berries are similar to raspberries and blackberries. You can eat them right off the vine, make wine with them (then call your favorite gardener), or make jelly or tea. These berries are plentiful and nutritious. They have some medicinal uses as well. 

Sounds great, right? Well, not so much when they're growing in an unwanted area. 

These guys have nasty little thorns and are super hard to kill! If you lived out in the country, I'd suggest you accept their presence and make some jam! When growing in our manicured landscapes, we must use hardcore herbicides or dig and cross our fingers. If they are growing at the base of plants, I typically suggest removing the plant and killing/removing the dewberry before replacing the plant.

We all know this guy, and we have to pull out the big guns (brush killer) for it. If you touch it, wash up quickly because the oil can bond with your skin within minutes.  The oils can also transfer to other objects, so be careful.

Glossy green leaves and thorns like roses. Brush killer or strong herbicide for this one, too.

 Nothing is worse than getting Bermuda grass in your river-rocked flower beds. This grass has roots so deep it will surprise you! That's what makes it so difficult to control. If it is in a flower bed with a weed barrier, I guarantee it's growing out of control below the barrier, sometimes making a thick, woven, impossible mess.  It can overtake plants, making it impossible to get rid of without removing the plant. 

Bermuda usually takes a strong synthetic herbicide to control, possibly needing multiple applications.

Zoysia Grass - Same as Bermuda, just more green!

Fast growing, but easy to remove from beds since it sends runners on top of the ground.

Saved the worst for last. Trees drop their seeds in our flowerbeds and leave us with a carpet of green. They do not all survive the first year, but we must stay on top of baby tree hunting all year. They can grow up in our plants unnoticed and get so bad that we have to remove the plant to remove the elm.  

A pre-emergent can sometimes be used to prevent this if timed correctly. 

Synthetic herbicides may be used if the babies are under 2 years old, sometimes with success. If you cut them repeatedly, you can bet on a big dig project in a few years.

The worst ones are Elms and Hackberries. Oaks, Chinese Pistache, and many others do this too.