10 Spring Garden Weeds (And How to Control Them)
Spring weeds germinate in cool weather while your garden plants are still dormant. Catching them early prevents summer takeover. Here are 10 common spring weeds and how to control them.
1. Chickweed
ID: Small oval leaves, white star-shaped flowers, sprawling mat
Why it's a problem: Smothers seedlings, spreads rapidly
Control: Hand-pull easily (shallow roots). Mulch prevents germination. Edible in salads.
2. Henbit
ID: Purple flowers, square stems, scalloped leaves
Why it's a problem: Crowds out vegetables, attracts bees (good/bad)
Control: Pull before flowering. Pre-emergent herbicide in fall prevents spring growth.
3. Deadnettle (Purple/Red)
ID: Purple flowers, square stems, heart-shaped leaves
Why it's a problem: Similar to henbit, spreads quickly
Control: Hand-pull or hoe. Doesn't sting like true nettles.
4. Dandelion
ID: Jagged leaves, yellow flowers, white seed puffs, deep taproot
Why it's a problem: Taproot breaks, leaving pieces that regrow
Control: Dig entire root with dandelion weeder. Leaves edible before flowering.
5. Creeping Charlie (Ground Ivy)
ID: Round scalloped leaves, purple flowers, creeping stems
Why it's a problem: Invasive, hard to kill, spreads via runners
Control: Hand-pull in spring when soil is moist. Borax solution (10oz per 4oz water, 1000 sq ft) kills it but harms other plants.
6. Crabgrass
ID: Grass-like, grows in clumps, wide blades
Why it's a problem: Outcompetes lawn grass, ugly brown patches in fall
Control: Pre-emergent in early spring (before soil hits 55°F). Hand-pull young plants.
7. Shepherd's Purse
ID: Heart-shaped seed pods, rosette of leaves, small white flowers
Why it's a problem: One plant produces 40,000 seeds
Control: Pull before flowering. Easy to remove (shallow roots).
8. Field Mustard
ID: Yellow four-petaled flowers, lobed leaves
Why it's a problem: Grows tall (2-3 ft), shades vegetables
Control: Pull when young. Edible greens before flowering.
9. Common Mallow
ID: Round leaves, pink/white flowers, sprawling growth
Why it's a problem: Deep taproot, hard to remove
Control: Dig entire root. Cut at soil line repeatedly to exhaust plant.
10. Hairy Bittercress
ID: Tiny white flowers, compound leaves, exploding seed pods
Why it's a problem: Seeds shoot 3-6 feet when touched
Control: Pull immediately before flowering. Don't let it seed!
Organic Control Methods
- Mulch: 2-3" layer blocks weed germination
- Hand-pull when young: Easier before roots establish
- Hoe regularly: Weekly hoeing kills seedlings
- Boiling water: Pour on weeds in cracks/paths
- Vinegar spray: 20% acetic acid kills on contact (non-selective)
Chemical Control
- Pre-emergent: Apply before weeds germinate (early March for spring weeds)
- Post-emergent: 2,4-D kills broadleaf weeds, spares grass
- Glyphosate: Non-selective, kills everything (use carefully)