Common Problems

Japanese stiltgrass, also known as Nepalese browntop and Mary's grass, is a highly invasive weed along roadsides bordering wooded areas, in infrequently mowed naturalized rough areas on golf courses, as well as in shaded or partially shaded parks and lawns.

Canada thistle is an aggressive broadleaf weed species of low-maintenance lawns, infrequently mowed grass rough on golf courses, as well as meadows on institutional grounds and other large properties.

Spotted spurge—sometimes referred to as prostrate spurge or spotted sandmat—is a weed of lawns, parks, institutional grounds, and athletic fields.

Birdsfoot trefoil is a useful conservation plant but also an invasive weed in low maintenance turf areas maintained at high mowing heights.

False green kyllinga, sometimes called pasture spikesedge and other common names, is a warm-season, non-native weed species found in golf course turf, lawns, and athletic fields.

Red clover is an occasional weed problem in home lawns and other turf areas maintained at high heights of cut. It is more prevalent in under-fertilized lawns and grows well in full sun.

Yellow woodsorrel, also referred to as oxalis, sourgrass, and other names, is a weed of home lawns, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields.

Common chickweed is a weed of home lawns, parks, golf courses, and athletic fields.

Dead nettle, or purple dead nettle, is a weed commonly found in low maintenance turf areas that are mowed infrequently, including forest edges and roadside areas.

Ground ivy, also called creeping Charlie and several other common names, is a common and aggressive weed of home lawns, parks, grounds, and other turf areas in Pennsylvania.

English daisy, also called common daisy, is a weed of home lawns, parks, and other turf areas. This species is often found growing in moist, fertile soils and in full sun or partial shade.

Fertilization is an essential part of turf management. Typically, nitrogen is a primary focus of granular applications of fertilizers on turf.

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is perhaps the most common weed of home lawns and other turf areas.

Thatch can have either beneficial or detrimental effects on turf depending on the amount present.

Bitter cold and icy conditions during winter sometimes lead to the death of turfgrasses on golf courses, lawns, and sports turf.

Black medic is a weed of home lawns, parks, low-maintenance grounds, and along roadsides.

Yellow nutsedge—sometimes referred to as nutgrass—is a persistent weed problem in lawns, athletic fields, and golf course turf.

Thyme-leaf speedwell (also spelled thymeleaf speedwell or thyme-leaved speedwell) is a weed of home lawns, parks, and institutional grounds.

Wild violet is a common name used for several species within the Viola genus that infest home lawns, parks, grounds, cemeteries, and other turf areas.

Smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Muhl.] and large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] are the most common grass weeds of turfgrasses in Pennsylvania.

Corn speedwell, also called rock speedwell or wall speedwell, is a common weed of home lawns, parks, institutional grounds, and other turf areas in Pennsylvania.

Slime molds (causal organisms: Mucilago, Physarum, and Fuligo spp.) are different from most turfgrass pathogens in that they do not directly infect the plant.

Yellow foxtail [Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. and Schult] and green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.] are warm season summer annual grass weeds that invade low-maintenance lawns, parks, grounds, roadsides, and new turf establishments.

Barnyardgrass, also known as cockspur grass, panic grass, or watergrass, is a warm-season annual grass weed that invades low maintenance lawns, grounds, right of ways, roadsides, and new turf establishments.

Summer annual grasses continue to be pervasive weed problems in many turfgrass areas throughout Pennsylvania.