At this time of the year it feels like weeds are coming at us from every direction. And while many are easy to tackle, there are a number of tough characters that might take years to eradicate. Here are a few tenacious weeds and ways to deal with them.

Nutsedge

“Sedges have edges,” is the saying horticulturists often rhyme to offer a way to identify this tough lawn and garden weed. Nutsedges like damp areas and grows in groups. They look a lot like a grass with ‘V’ shaped leaves and a triangular stem. At the top, they form a group of three just below the flower, which is often a yellowish color. The roots are the key to nutsedges’ survival. The rhizomes grow every direction. If you catch it early, you can dig it, but you’ll have to stay after it. Every piece left in the soil grows so it might take several seasons to eliminate this tenacious weed. For larger patches, many turn to herbicides that contain halosulfuron or sulfentrazone.

Bindweed, the Ultimate Tenacious Weed

I have never known a more tenacious weed than bindweed, a morning glory relative. While it has pretty white and pinkish flowers, growing twenty feet deep and twenty feet across in some regions, once it’s established, it’s extremely difficult to eradicate. Once again, if there is a small patch, and you stay on top of it, pulling and digging constantly can be enough to kill it. But I’ve talked to multiple organic farmers who have had to step out of the certification for several years just to be able to use herbicides. When spraying the weed, timing is key. If you spray it during the summer during drought conditions, it is completely ineffective. Spraying it in the spring can reduce the amount of flowering. Of course, this minimizes the number of seeds produced. But the most effective spray period is typically in the fall when there is active growth before the end of the season. This is when it pulls the poison into the roots and does a better job of killing the plant. Even so it might take several years to eliminate it.

Battling Bindweed

Water Hyacinth: A Beautiful, Tenacious Weed

I must admit that I was surprised to see water hyacinth as an invasive weed. Originating in tropical regions, they have beautiful flowers and are prolific on ponds and in waterways. But they’re too successful. This plant is illegal in several states because of its propensity to take over and shade ponds, reducing the amount of oxygen in the water. One way to eliminate these tenacious weeds is to simply skim it off the top of the water repeatedly. This won’t be a one and done event, but it is possible to take care of the situation. Another way to go is to use the Neochetina beetle, also called the mottled water hyacinth beetle, which feeds upon the water hyacinth. Text your local Extension office or Department of Natural Resources folks to see about obtaining these beetles.

Sticking to You: Cleavers

These clingy, Velcro-like plants tend to grab you when you are near them. This can be helpful when you are pulling them manually because they tend to hold on to one another and bring other plants with them, but they are still difficult to eliminate. Pulling them is easiest when the soil is damp. Grass them at the center of the plant and gently ease them out of the soil because they tend to break. You’ll have to do this throughout the season, but it’s best if you tackle it as soon as possible because they go to seed early in the season.

Tenacious weeds are one aspects of gardening that can be frustrating, particularly when you have some of these bad characters in the mix. By staying on top of them, and employing more draconian measures when necessary, it is possible to stay ahead of the game.