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Winter Weeds That Just Won't Die

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yellow weed As I was walking my dog during the morning of New Year’s Day, I spotted a dandelion seed head poking through the snow. I found it interesting that this dandelion actually produced a flower in December, but it's most likely due to some unseasonably warm weather. I think it shows just how opportunistic a weed can be when the weather is suitable for flower production.

weed in snow

Weeds are amazing plants. In some cases, they are beneficial as they will quickly cover bare ground to keep it from eroding away. The problem comes from the difficulty in removing them when trying to plant more desirable plants in their place. Weeds will germinate, grow and reproduce through various means much faster than plants that we prefer to grow. Of the almost 250,000 plant species found worldwide, about 3% or 8,000 plants are considered weeds. They are especially designed to spread quickly, either by wind currents, movement by water, carried in by animals, carried unseen in bales of hay, straw or even on the tires of cars.
A weed is a plant that is not only in the wrong place, but intends to stay. - Sara Stein
The seeds that they spread can germinate if brought to the surface within a couple of years. There are even cases where seeds were found in archaeological excavations that were 100’s of years old  and still germinating when planted. Many of the weeds we deal with in our lawns and landscapes are not native to North America and originated in Europe or Asia. To farmers, weeds cause more loss and add more costs than dealing with insects, diseases, rodents, birds, deer and other grazers. In fact the number one complaint from customers of lawn care companies involve weeds growing in their lawn. According to the Weed Science Society of America, more than 200 weeds have developed resistance to common weed control products. They also stated that more than 240 weed species are reported to be “allelopathic” and produce chemicals from their roots that inhibit the growth of nearby plants. Controlling weeds is a major concern mainly because of the trait that makes a weed a weed; its ability to out compete with other plants and grow in conditions where most other plants cannot tolerate. Trouble with winter weeds? Contact your local Spring-Green for more information.