Green fingered gardeners have been offered a guide to help identify some of the most common weeds which could threaten British backyards this summer.
Garden gurus at BillyOh.com have researched nine weeds that can be found in UK gardens and revealed how to recognise and remove them.
There are possibly millions of plant species that are considered weeds, whether they have beneficial properties or not.
Prevention and removal methods include mulching, homemade weed killers and removal by hand.
Gardeners could even close plant space to choke out emerging weeds by shading the soil between plants, or deadhead to buy a few weeks of time before the weed ‘seed rain’ begins.
A spokesperson for BillyOh.com said: “Generally speaking, weeds can be divided into three groups which can help determine the best way to identify them – annual weeds, lawn weeds, and perennial or woody weeds.
“Annual weeds are the ones that last for one year or growing season only, but which produce lots of weed seeds for next year, and years afterwards.
“Lawn weeds grow so vigorously, they simply ‘suffocate’ the grass. Plants like plantain, dandelions, and even daisies come under this category.
“Perennial and woody weeds are those that produce large, deep or creeping roots that keep coming back, year after year. They can grow again from even the smallest left-over segment, so digging them up can often make the problem worse.”
1. Broad leaved dock
The broad-leafed dock is a highly variable species and can sometimes be difficult to identify as a result. It’s able to grow in a wide range of soils, although the seedlings are poor competitors and can only grow effectively in open or disturbed patches
They’re quite easy to identify as they have large oval shaped leaves. During blooming months between May and October it can produce small green/ white flowers which will turn brown once they are pollinated.
2. Couch grass
Couch grass weeds can grow up to two metres tall within one season! It also flourishes in any type of soil.
It’s very easy to identify as it looks like tougher, thicker, and longer version of regular grass, and grows as spikey shoots, in more varied directions than regular grass.
3. Hedge bindweed
Hedge bindweed has similar characteristics to a vine in that it twists and turns around other plants, fences and objects. It’s often found in riverbanks and woodlands and can be identified by the white trumpet shaped flowers growing from the stem, which usually bloom between June and September.
4. Lamb’s-quarter
Growing in landscape and garden areas in sun or shade, Lamb’s-quarter has scalloped leaves with a grey underside. It can grow up to four feet tall, and 18 inches wide!
5. Nettle
These are quite easy to find, and most people will have been stung at least once in their life. The nettle weed has green oval shaped leaves with teeth lining the edge. They have square stems with tiny hairs and can grow up to two metres tall.
6. Dandelion
One of the easiest to identify, dandelions form a large rosette with a long stout tap root. The yellow flower or white fluffy flowers are extremely distinctive – the latter contains seedlings that are distributed by the wind.
7. Daisy
Most people might not realise daisies are in fact weeds, but nevertheless they’re one of the most recognisable lawn weeds in the UK. Daisies have the ability to grow in a wide range of soil conditions and locations, whilst also having the ability to out-compete other weeds, causing them to die.
If by chance you’re not already familiar with a daisy, it’s a small white flowered weed with a yellow centre. There is a small rosette at the base which the flower sprouts from.
8. Chickweed
Chickweed varies greatly in size and weight, but is one of the most common in the UK. You’re advised to disperse of this weed as soon as possible as it attracts Spider Mite and Greenfly which will ruin any edibles you’re growing.
It’s most easily identified by its small white star shaped flowers and tiny white line of weaved hair that grows along the stem. The texture of the leaves can vary from smooth to slightly furry.
9. Groundsel
A groundsel weed is capable of growing up to 2 feet tall with a variety a leaf ranging from lightly hairy with cotton-like hairs to smooth. The stems branch out into little clusters which have small yellow flower heads. The leaves are evenly spaced on the stem and have toothed edges.
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