Common Lawn Weeds Iowa: Annual and Perennial Types

Iowa's lush green lawns can quickly become overrun with weeds, making it essential to know which types to look out for. The most common annual lawn weeds in Iowa include crabgrass, which thrives in warm weather and can spread quickly through lawns.

Crabgrass seeds are tiny and can easily be scattered by the wind or by humans unknowingly transporting them on their shoes or clothes. This makes it crucial to prevent crabgrass from taking hold in the first place.

Perennial weeds, on the other hand, can be more challenging to remove because they come back year after year. Dandelions are a common perennial weed in Iowa, with their bright yellow flowers and feathery seed heads.

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Common Iowa Weeds can be a real nuisance in our lawns, but understanding what we're dealing with is the first step to tackling the problem. In Iowa, we have over 57 types of common weeds.

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The majority of these weeds are dicots, with 50 different species falling under this category. These broadleaf weeds have leaves that are wider and often have a major vein running down the center of the leaf with secondary veins branching off it. Examples include dandelion, thistle, and pokeweed.

Some common weeds in Iowa include those with blue flowers, like the 4 species that fall under this category. We also have weeds with green or inconspicuous flowers, with 20 different species in this group.

If you're trying to identify the weeds in your yard, it's helpful to know the plant family they belong to. In Iowa, we have weeds from various plant families, including Asteraceae (12 species) and Brassicaceae (6 species).

Here are some common Iowa weeds, grouped by flower color:

By understanding the types of weeds that are commonly found in Iowa, we can take steps to prevent them from taking over our lawns.

Annual weeds are a real nuisance in Iowa lawns, growing rapidly and producing seeds that spread quickly. They can be identified by their characteristics, and Preen products can help control them.

Some common annual weeds in Iowa include crabgrass, which germinates from seeds each year, and purslane, a succulent weed that can grow in cracks and crevices.

Annual bluegrass, also known as Poa annua, is another common weed that can be found in Iowa lawns. It's a cool-season grassy weed that thrives in moist, shady areas.

Barnyardgrass, or Echinochloa crus-galli, is a common annual weed in Iowa that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It's a grassy weed that can be difficult to control.

Annual weeds like black medic, black nightshade, and broadleaf dock can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Creeping woodsorrel, or Oxalis corniculata, is a common annual weed in Iowa that can grow in lawns and gardens. It's a perennial weed that can be difficult to control.

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Annual weeds like curly dock, dandelion, and evening primrose can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like field bindweed, fleabane, and Florida pusley can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like goosegrass, green foxtail, and ground ivy can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like hairy bittercress, hairy galinsoga, and henbit can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like large crabgrass, lovegrass, and marestail can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like nettleleaf goosefoot, panicled willowweed, and Pennsylvania smartweed can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like pokeweed, prickly lettuce, and prickly sida can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

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Annual weeds like prostrate knotweed, prostrate spurge, and puncturevine can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like ragweed, rattail fescue, and redroot pigweed can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like rockpurslane, Russian thistle, and sandbur can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like shepherd's purse, signalgrass, and smooth crabgrass can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like southern crabgrass, southwestern cupgrass, and spotted spurge can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like stinging nettle, stinkgrass, and swinecress can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like turkey mullein, velvetleaf, and wild carrot can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

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Annual weeds like wild mustard, wild oat, and wild radish can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Annual weeds like witchgrass, yellow foxtail, and yellow woodsorrel can be found in Iowa lawns, and can be identified by their characteristics. They can be controlled with Preen products.

Perennial weeds are a common problem in Iowa lawns, and they can be challenging to get rid of. Perennial weeds die back to ground level in fall but send up new growth in spring. They reproduce by seeds or may spread by creeping stems (above or below ground) or by spreading root systems.

Some common perennial weeds in Iowa lawns include dandelion, quackgrass, thistle, pokeweed, and plantain. These weeds can be difficult to eradicate because they have deep roots that allow them to survive even after being cut or pulled.

Dandelions are one of the first spring lawn weeds to appear, with their distinct yellow disc-shaped flowers blooming in the spring. They can produce many new plants throughout the year, making it essential to apply pre-emergent control before they have a chance to germinate.

The following table lists some common perennial weeds found in Iowa lawns:

It's essential to identify the type of perennial weed you're dealing with to determine the best control method. Some perennial weeds, like dandelions, can be controlled with pre-emergent herbicides, while others, like quackgrass, may require more aggressive methods like digging up the roots.

Weed identification is key to understanding how to best control weeds in your lawn. Knowing the specific species of weed you're dealing with is crucial, as weeds in the same group or classification are managed in similar ways.

Annual weeds like barnyardgrass, crabgrass, and foxtail are common in Iowa lawns. These weeds can be managed with pre-emergent herbicides applied in early spring.

Some weeds, like dandelion and plantain, can be identified by their distinctive leaves. Dandelion leaves are typically jagged and toothed, while plantain leaves are smooth and oval-shaped.

Crabgrass is a common annual grassy weed that can be identified by its flat, wide leaves and distinctive "V" shape. It's a major pest in Iowa lawns, and can be controlled with pre-emergent herbicides.

Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy, is a perennial weed that can be identified by its round, scalloped leaves and stems that root at the nodes. It's a common weed in Iowa lawns, and can be controlled with herbicides or manual removal.

Dandelion is a perennial weed that can be identified by its bright yellow flowers and jagged, toothed leaves. It's a common weed in Iowa lawns, and can be controlled with herbicides or manual removal.

Here's a list of some common lawn weeds found in Iowa, along with some of their identifying features:

By identifying the specific weeds in your lawn, you can take targeted action to control them and keep your lawn looking its best.

Iowa lawns can be a challenge, especially when it comes to dealing with common lawn weeds. Field bindweed, also known as Convolvulus arvensis, is a perennial weed that can be difficult to control. It has a distinctive habit of twining around other plants.

Annual bluegrass, Poa annua, is another common weed found in Iowa lawns. It's a cool-season annual that thrives in moist, shady areas. It's often mistaken for a desirable grass species due to its blue-green color.

Bull thistle, Cirsium vulgare, is a biennial weed that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has prickly stems and leaves, making it a nuisance to mow or walk through.

Common mallow, Malva neglecta, is a perennial weed that can spread quickly through lawns. It has heart-shaped leaves and produces small, pinkish-purple flowers.

Here are some common lawn weeds found in Iowa, grouped by their growth habits:

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is a perennial weed that's often considered a nuisance due to its ability to produce large quantities of seeds. It has jagged, toothed leaves and produces bright yellow flowers.

Hairy galinsoga, Galinsoga quadriradiata, is an annual weed that thrives in moist, shady areas. It has hairy stems and leaves, and produces small, yellow flowers.

Redroot pigweed, Amaranthus retroflexus, is a annual weed that can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has broad, flat leaves and produces small, greenish flowers.

These are just a few examples of the many common lawn weeds found in Iowa. By understanding the characteristics and growth habits of these weeds, you can better control their spread and maintain a healthy, weed-free lawn.

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