Weeds in South Florida Grass

Types

• The One Two Tree site lists crabgrass, goosegrass and dandelion as among the weeds commonly found in South Florida grasses. Weeds are identified by their appearance and distinct growth characteristics.

Description

• Dandelion is a perennial broadleaf weed with puffy, white globular flower heads. The flowers are initially yellow with small petals. The leaves have deep serrated edges and cluster at stem bases. Crabgrass is an annual summer grass with a mature height of about 2 ½ feet. The weed has 1 ¼- to 8-inch-long, hairy leaves. Goosegrass is an annual or perennial grass also referred to as wiregrass. The weed grows into light green, matlike clumps with flat stems with fleshy bases.

Management

• Control dandelions by hand pulling and removing as much of the deep taproots as possible. Use glyphosate based products for spot treatments. The use of preemergence herbicide is an effective way to control crabgrass. The University of California Extension recommends bensulide, oxadiazon, pendimethalin and trifluralin. You can control goosegrass with the use of dithiopyr, oryzalin or oxadiazon, as recommended by the North Carolina State University Extension.