North Carolina Chickweed Control
Chickweed is a flower-like plant common in North Carolina. It’s exceptionally hardy and spreads easily in damp, shady soils. To keep this pest from taking over your lawn, thorough pre- and post-emergent intervention is required.
If you’ve got a chickweed problem, Barefoot Lawn Care is ready to step in. We’re experts in chickweed control, and we help North Carolina homeowners and businesses create pristine, weed-free green spaces.
What Is Chickweed?
Chickweed is an invasive, low-growing weed that thrives in cool, shady, moist soils and temperate climates. In North Carolina, multiple species exist, such as common chickweed (Stellaria media) and mouseear chickweed (Cerastium). Chickweed tends to grow as an annual weed in eastern North Carolina, where the soil is warmer and drier. In western North Carolina’s damp, cool soils, it can be perennial.
Chickweed has a shallow root system, hairy stems, oval or elliptical leaves, and noticeable white flowers. It can spread quickly across your lawn in dense patches. Its compact growth and low profile can crowd out other plants, and its abundant seeds can spread and re-grow year after year.
Chickweed grows best in colder months, damaging your lawn while other foliage less active. This hinders good re-grow in the spring. It’s crucial to control this chickweed before it becomes pervasive spreads. Barefoot Lawn Care is the team to do it.
How To Kill & Control Chickweed
Chickweed control involves the right combination of pre-emergent and post-emergent care. Your Barefoot Lawn specialist will assess your lawn’s specific chickweed problem and create a customized approach to tackle the issue.
Pre-Emergent Chickweed Control
Pre-emergent chickweed control should occur in early to mid-autumn before new growth occurs. Herbicides can help prevent chickweed germination, while mulching and fertilization can keep it from invading shrubbery and flower beds. Better lawn drainage may help remove excessive soil moisture. We can also remove small chickweed growths before they root too deeply.
Post-Emergent Chickweed Solutions
Post-emergent care, like pre-emergent control, should occur in late fall and early winter, before the plant spreads. Because chickweed is a low-growing plant, close mowing often won’t kill it. Hand weeding might help, but you risk tearing stems without damaging the roots. Every case is different, but Barefoot typically uses a combination of hand removal and post-emergent herbicides to eradicate existing weeds and kill the roots.
The Barefoot Lawn Care Difference
Chickweed is a pesky growth, but you can control it with an effective lawn treatment plan and robust, lawn-specific weed control.
Barefoot Lawn Care’s experienced team knows how to apply the right treatment at the right time to nip problem weeds in the bud. As seasons change, we’ll stay on top of your lawn’s evolving needs, keeping chickweed risks as low as possible.
Professional Chickweed Removal Near You
Barefoot Lawn Care makes it easy for customers in Raleigh, Wilmington and beyond to stop hand-weeding and get effective chickweed control from the pros. We believe in transparent communication and professional services with a smile, so you can rely on us for complete satisfaction with every job.
Contact us today and kick weeds to the curb for good.
Chickweed FAQs
Why is it called chickweed?
Chickweed got its name because it’s a favorite food for chickens and other fowl. It can be plentiful in natural grazing areas and farmyards, particularly in shaded, damp soil.
What does chickweed look like?
Chickweed is a small, low-growing flowering weed. A single plant can have multiple stems with oval-shaped leaves and trademark white flowers. Each flower tends to have five petals. Smooth, white hairs grow on the stems, but depending on the type of chickweed, they might be sparser.
What is the problem with chickweed?
Chickweed grows low to the ground, forming dense growth that hinders good grass and other plants. Its numerous seeds allow it to spread across your yard and re-grow year to year, making re-growth very easy.
Is chickweed poisonous?
Chickweed can be toxic under the right conditions, although this is rare. While common chickweed likely won’t hurt kids or pets, it’s better to prevent ingestion.
Should you pull up chickweed?
Yes, pull up chickweed as it emerges in autumn. Thorough weeding destroys the roots and prevents new seeds from spreading next year. However, weeding is not necessarily a solution in itself. Partner weed removal with strong post-emergent herbicides to minimize the risk of chickweed recurrence.
How do I control chickweed in my lawn?
Controlling chickweed in your lawn might involve using pre- and post-emergent herbicides, thorough weeding, and a strong regular lawn care routine. Since every lawn is different, work with a professional lawn service to tailor your chickweed control program to your specific needs.
How much does chickweed treatment cost?
Barefoot Lawn Care’s chickweed treatment plans vary based on your lawn care needs. Barefoot’s affordable seasonal programs are designed to be cost-effective and deliver robust solutions without waste. The best way to get a good picture of what we can do for your lawn is to request a free estimate from our team.