Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Common Garden Weeds take up a large part of gardens, they need to be identified and managed before they multiply their numbers. Adding compost and manure to the surface of your garden will reduce their amount.
How to Identify Common Garden Weeds
Groundsel
Groundsel grows up to 5cm – 22cm high, it’s leaves are lobed and its flowers are yellow. Its seeds set within 4 – 6 weeks, meaning they grow fast and may cover a wider area due to the wind. They germinate all throughout the year except during mid-winter.
They commonly grow on dry soil or along with the plants that grow under shade. Make sure to check plants you grow under shade, and remove any flower heads after hoeing the ground to get rid of them.
Chickweed
Chickweeds are about 5cm to 7cm high, they have small white flowers and have extensive root system, making their growth vigorous. Its seeds germinate well in damp soil during Spring and Autumn, or a wet year’s Summer.
Any seedlings you can spot that are chickweeds should be hoed in dry weather or pulled by hand if the soil is damp. They can survive mild winters, so make sure to act fast before they set seed in Spring.
Charlock
Charlock grows up to 60cm high, they have yellow flowers, and are often seen in large patches. Its seeds germinate in all seasons, more commonly in Spring. It’s part of the brassica family, meaning they can harbor pests and disease.
Fat Hen
Fat Hen are about 27cm high garden weeds, they have broad leaves and small green or white flowers. In neolithic times, they were eaten as a vegetable due to their richness in vitamin C.
They may seem harmless, however, they may take over your vegetable garden because they commonly grow on rich soil.
Common Fumitory
Common Fumitory grows 10cm – 40cm on long branched stems, it has feathery leaves and purple-pink flowers. Undisturbed ground is where they commonly grow. They have delicate and attractive flowers, and despite the fact that their seeds remain viable for a long time, they’re not considered as an invasive weed.
Hairy Bittercress
Hairy Bittercress grows 3cm – 5cm high and grows with tiny white flowers. Its seeds set in 4 – 6 weeks and may spread around 3ft away. They love growing in cool moist conditions, so it’s best to improve drainage. The weed commonly grows on the surface of compost in nursery plants.
Speedwell
Speedwell has pretty pale blue flowers, they are ground hugging Spring and Autumn weeds. Its seeds are set in 4 – 6 weeks but can be easily hoed out or pulled out when they’re small.
Prickly Milk (Sow) Thistle
The Prickly Milk (Sow) thistle grows up to 90cm high, however, they are often smaller and grow pale yellow flowers. The seeds set best in a dry and shaded position, it takes 4 weeks for it to set. Therefore, they should be spotted and removed as early as you can. They have a strong tap root, and will make it difficult for you to remove. They grow any time they want, even in winter.
Oxalis
Oxalis grows about 5cm high. Its seeds are dropped from barely visible pods. They often invade nursery plant pots, so make sure to keep an eye out for it because they multiply fast.
Shepherd’s Purse
Shepherd’s purse grows 5cm – 10cm tall, they are a cluster of serrated leaves with long slender flower heads. Keep an eye out for them since they can be easily confused for dandelion leaves.
Its seeds are set in 6 – 8 weeks, in green heart shaped seed pods. They grow a deep tap root, making them difficult to remove. So make sure to hoe them when they’re still young seedlings.
