Robyn Stewart
I hope that you are still maintaining your social distancing and prioritizing the health of yourselves and your loved ones. With that said, I know many of us have started to enjoy time with close families and friends as Georgia starts reducing COVID restrictions on events and gatherings. The other day as I played with my dog outside, I kept stepping on sharp, pointed things in my lawn. It’s no surprise that being barefoot and stabbed was not something that I considered to be enjoyable, and I’m sure some of you have encountered it as well. The culprit is Soliva sessilis, also known as lawn burweed, stickerweed or spurweed.
Lawn burweed is a winter annual weed that germinates in thin, poorly established turf (think turf stressed by drought) in the fall. In the colder months, burweed remains small and inconspicuous- you may not even notice it’s there. When temperatures climb in early spring, the weed goes through a period of rapid growth and forms spine-tipped burs—the things that ultimately end up sticking in bare feet. Come summer and hot temperatures (above 90°F) the weed dies—but the hooked burrs remain in your lawn (and your feet).
Lawn burweed is a small broadleaf plant that grows low to the ground. The plant itself is covered in coarse hairs and has long, fine leaves that are approximately ½ to 1.5 inches long and ¼-1/2 inches wide. Burweed often branches into multiple stems at its base and may have brown or purple spots on it. Most burweed plants grow to approximately 6 inches across and 3-4 inches tall. The spine-tipped burs are often the most distinguishing characteristic for homeowners.
Lincoln County Extension will always recommend an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to managing weeds and other pests. As with all weeds, maintaining proper soil fertility and a healthy stand of turf can help outcompete weeds and reduce their prevalence. If you need information on soil testing, please reach out to your local Extension office. Best practices for turf management include fertilization, mowing, irrigation, pest management, and more. Pre-emergent chemical control is often the best defense against winter weeds and should be used in the early fall for control. It is important to note these products must be used well before the seed germinates. We recommend using pre-emergent herbicides when the nightly temperatures drop to 65°-70° (typically September and October). If you miss the mark on pre-emergent herbicides, post-emergent control methods are available, but less effective. If burweed plants are still present in your lawn and germinating to produce spikes, spot treatments of herbicides can be used to kill them. Typically spot treatments are most effective from December to February as the plant is small and easier to control. Control later in the season is possible but sharp burs will have already formed and will remain after the weed dies. Always follow pesticide safety practices and check to ensure the product you use is appropriate for the species of turf you have and the weeds you are trying to control.
Controlling burweed can be tricky for homeowners, but a combination of lawn management practices and herbicides can help maintain a burweed free lawn. If you have any questions or comments please let us know at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233.
