Here’s a terrific chart of common weeds, by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Get to know the weeds that make their homes in your garden. The more you know about them, including their life cycles and reproductive habits, the more weapons you have with which to thwart them.
spotted spurge, ground-hugging creeping weed with blue-green leaves and reddish stems
" data-orig-size="640,427" title="spotted spurge " data-image-title="spotted spurge " align="left" data-orig-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/spotted-spurge-wikipedia.jpg" height="269" width="404" data-medium-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/spotted-spurge-wikipedia.jpg?w=300" alt="spotted spurge " data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":""}" data-large-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/spotted-spurge-wikipedia.jpg?w=584" />Spotted spurge, Euphorbia maculata
hairy bittercress green weed white flowers
" data-orig-size="373,600" title="373px-Cardamine_hirsuta hairy bittercress wikipedia" data-image-title="373px-Cardamine_hirsuta hairy bittercress wikipedia" align="left" data-orig-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/373px-cardamine_hirsuta-hairy-bittercress-wikipedia.jpg" height="269" width="167" data-medium-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/373px-cardamine_hirsuta-hairy-bittercress-wikipedia.jpg?w=186" alt="373px-Cardamine_hirsuta hairy bittercress wikipedia" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":""}" data-large-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/373px-cardamine_hirsuta-hairy-bittercress-wikipedia.jpg?w=373" />Hairy bittercress, Cardamine hirsuta
three seeded mercury acalypha virginica, branching broadleaf weed with wiry stems and branches and small yellow seeds flowers bracts near stem
" data-orig-size="1549,1037" title="3 seeded mercury top view" data-image-title="3 seeded mercury top view" align="left" data-orig-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/3-seeded-mercury-above.jpg" height="264" width="394" data-medium-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/3-seeded-mercury-above.jpg?w=300" alt="3 seeded mercury top view" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"","camera":"NIKON D3000","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1376996300","copyright":"","focal_length":"35","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":""}" data-large-file="http://missinghenrymitchell.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/3-seeded-mercury-above.jpg?w=584" />Three-seeded mercury, Acalypha virginica
And please, avoid using chemical weed controls. They can be toxic to pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and can persist in the soil for very long periods of time. Mulch and other methods of weed control are more sustainable, and healthier for you, your family, your pets, and the environment over the long term.
