Common Lawn Weeds in Nebraska: Identification and Control Guide
Weeds are every Nebraska homeowner's nemesis. They compete with your grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight, and can quickly take over if left unchecked. Here's your guide to identifying and controlling the most common lawn weeds in the Elkhorn and Omaha area.
Broadleaf Weeds
Dandelions
Perhaps the most recognizable lawn weed, dandelions have bright yellow flowers and deeply notched leaves. Their deep taproots make them difficult to remove by hand.
Control: Apply broadleaf herbicide in spring or fall when actively growing. For organic control, dig out the entire taproot.
Clover
White clover produces small round white flowers and three-leafed stems. While some consider it beneficial (it fixes nitrogen), it can overtake thin lawns.
Control: Maintain thick, healthy turf. Apply broadleaf herbicide if necessary. Clover often indicates low nitrogen levels.
Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)
This aggressive weed has rounded leaves with scalloped edges and purple flowers. It spreads rapidly via runners and thrives in shady, moist areas.
Control: Requires persistent treatment with triclopyr-based herbicides. Improve drainage and reduce shade where possible.
Grassy Weeds
Crabgrass
The bane of Nebraska lawns, crabgrass germinates in late spring and grows aggressively in hot weather. It has wide, flat blades and grows in a star pattern.
Control: Prevention is key - apply pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before soil reaches 55°F. Post-emergent control is difficult.
Foxtail
Identified by its fuzzy, cylindrical seed heads that resemble a fox's tail. Common in disturbed areas and thin lawns.
Control: Pre-emergent herbicides work well. Maintain dense turf to prevent establishment.
Quackgrass
A perennial grassy weed with thick, blue-green blades and distinctive clasping auricles at the base of leaves.
Control: Very difficult to control selectively. May require spot treatment with non-selective herbicide or renovation of affected areas.
Integrated Weed Management
The best defense against weeds is a healthy, thick lawn. Follow these practices:
- Mow at proper height (taller grass shades out weed seeds)
- Water deeply but infrequently
- Fertilize appropriately for your grass type
- Overseed thin areas to prevent weed establishment
- Apply pre-emergent herbicides at the right time
When to Call a Professional
Severe weed infestations often require professional intervention. Owen's Mowing provides comprehensive weed control services for Elkhorn, West Omaha, and Bennington properties. We identify your specific weed problems and create targeted treatment plans that protect your lawn while eliminating unwanted plants.