Keeping on top of your garden requires an understanding of the seasons and how they impact the trees, plants, and soil in your outdoor space. One task that is necessary but not very enjoyable is getting rid of the weeds in your garden. With that in mind, we will take a look at what you need to know about the yearly winter weeds in the rest of this article.
Basic Information About Winter Weeds
Yearly winter weeds germinate throughout the fall and winter seasons, actively growing throughout the spring. Gardeners tend to be shocked at how fast these weeds can pop in their garden. This is why it is important to have a good understanding of some of the common winter weeds that pop-up every year, so that you can deal with them.
1. Prickly Lettuce
The first weed that we will take a look at is prickly lettuce, which is part of the aster family. This winter weed can often be a biennial. It can grow as high as five inches tall, and it boasts flowers that are creamy yellow and like asters. Alternate leaves branch off the main stem and butterfly larvae feed on this plant. On each leaf, there is a prominent midvein, which features a row of spines on the bottom surface. You may be surprised to learn that number of edible lettuces derive from this lettuce, like butterhead and crisphead lettuce.
2. Common Chickweed
Next, we have common chickweed, which grows in areas that are moist and have plenty of cool shade. These weeds have a shallow fibrous root. They also boast leaves that are bright green and approximately half-an-inch in size, with a pointed and smooth tip. These leaves have opposite branching, as well as creeping, slender streams, which root at the nodes.
3. Henbit and Deadnettle
Finally, we have henbit and deadnettle, which tend to be confused. These are both winter weeds that belong in the mint family, boosting opposite leaves with square steams. Both plants can reach around 16 inches high and they have purple/pink flowers. Deadnettle has leaves that are triangular in shape and they are less deeply lobed when compared with henbit. Henbit, on the other hand, has leaves that are rounded or circular, with rounded teeth on the margin of the leaf.
Contact Us Today for Help and Assistance with Winter Weeds in Michigan
If you need help dealing with winter weeds in the Michigan area, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Independent Lawn Service for more information. We have many years of experience in the industry, and our friendly and professional team is always happy to help so that your garden stays in pristine condition no matter the time of year. We look forward to hearing from you.