How do I to get rid of chickweed, crabgrass and hairy bittercress without killing my lawn grass? Hairy bittercress is a member of the mustard family and spreads by seeds that are dispersed as the pods burst open explosively Like other members of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), it is a winter annual or biennial plant that is native to Europe and Asia, but has naturalized worldwide. Postemergence Bittercress may be small and short-lived but its ability to produce and disperse large amounts of seed makes it an exacerbating weed. as a convenience to the reader. Aeration & Overseeding. Flick weed is a slender, erect, small, annual herb that grows from the base. Photos: Peter Landschoot, Penn State. use agricultural against similar products or services not mentioned. Press. Go on patrol for this pesky weed once or … A missed few on the verge of exploding can still be dealt with, with care: Gently surround the plant with a … carfentrazone + 2,4-D (Speedzone). Both hairy bittercress and common chickweed are winter annuals. Although more commonly known as Hoary Wood Cress, Hairy Bittercress, and Flick weed, the scientific name of this weed is Cardamine hirsute L. Physical Characteristic. The trick is getting them all before they set seed. We have identified the benefits among a few common options—chickweed, bittercress, and henbit. *Follow label precautionary statements, restrictions, and directions regarding tolerant turfgrass species, rates, and timing of applications. Seeds germinate from late summer through fall. in retail stores. In addition, new infestations can be prevented by ensuring a thick lawn. Hairy bittercress infestations can be reduced by frequent mowing in early spring to remove flower stems, increasing turf density through proper fertilization practices, and selection of turfgrasses that are well-adapted to site conditions. Weeds of the Northeast. The 4-H pen pal program aims to teach youths about communication while fostering friendships and connections. Do not over-water your lawn. 22 Apr, 2009 . Another option is to spot-treat the weed with a broadleaf postemergent herbicide when the weeds are actively growing in the spring. Hairy bittercress can be harvested by hand, with little chance of its re-emerging, because it has a shallow taproot easily pulled from the ground, McCormac said. 1997. Moon_grower . after maturing. Center: Hairy bittercress stems with flowers and seed pods. Although many homeowners may view the hair bittercress a pest, the plant is edible and has other good attributes. applied over top may cause injury to ornamentals. herbicides, especially certain pre-emergence herbicides, may not be readily available See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement, Snow Removal from Synthetic In-Filled Systems, Using Composts to Improve Turf Performance, Common Pokeweed Identification and Management, Suppression of Annual Bluegrass or Crabgrass, Tips to Improve Your Lawn Care Program This Fall, 2,4-D, fluroxypyr, triclopyr, and flumioxazin, 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, and carfentrazone-ethyl, MCPA, MCPP, dicamba, and carfentrazone-ethyl. But, with this nice weather It is typically hairless and it can grow up to 300cm high. This weed is very noticeable in early spring during its peak flowering period; however, it becomes less conspicuous after stems are removed by mowing and as turfgrass growth rate increases in late spring. 397 pp. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. under suitable environmental conditions. United States . (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Products labeled to treat Hairy Bittercress. After flower petals drop, 3⁄4 to 1 inch long narrow pods form and abruptly dehisce, launching seeds up to several feet from the pod. herbicide in late summer before the seeds germinate or applying postemergence herbicide discrimination Common in West Virginia lawns and gardens, this weed is a winter annual endorsement by West Virginia University Extension Service nor There are lovely winter weeds with numerous nutrition and medicinal benefits in your garden. It grows well in moist soils, full sun, as well as in shady areas of lawns, and is often found near ornamental beds, vegetable gardens, and paved areas. If using preemergence herbicides to control hairy bittercress, applications should commence in late summer or early fall. I believe that these pictures are of Cardamine hirusta, “Hairy Bittercress”. How to identify English bluebells How to manage hebe To protect the health and safety of our employees and community, many WVU and WVU Extension Service employees are working remotely. in fall, it may be a good idea to include a postemergence herbicide such as triclopyr While we may not be physically in our brick and mortar offices, we are working hard to assist our fellow West Virginians in all 55 counties. Dispose of the scraped-off soil in your green can. Hairy bittercress is a problem in greenhouses and nurseries, so be sure to clear off the top 2 to 3 inches of soil before planting anything you purchase. Snapshot 2.5 TG - 50 lbs. WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer — Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. comes lawn/garden weeds, and they can take off swiftly, providing a limited window Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included Right: Hairy bittercress stems with multiple seed pods produced after flowering. of opportunity for homeowners to get them under control. This weed can be controlled with various preemergence and postemergence herbicides. However, despite that negative point, I have found in a book, Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America, that there is something positive to note. Hairy bittercress is part of the mustard family and you CAN eat it. It has little root and is simple to pull. Hairy bittercress infestations can be reduced by frequent mowing in early spring to remove flower stems, increasing turf density through proper fertilization practices, and selection of turfgrasses that are well-adapted to site conditions. A good example is healthy chickweed or hairy bittercress. It germinates in empty spaces and soon starts fizzing out seed all over your previously immaculate garden. THis mean its seeds germinate in the fall as early as September. How to get rid of hairy bittercress: Remove the root Chemical control for lawns Mulch to prevent sun Share this You can hand-pull or mow bittercress to remove the seedheads before the plants mature, to prevent the spread of the seeds. A preemergent applied in late summer/early fall can help prevent hairy bittercress from germinating, however, you will not be able to sow grass seed. Why do we need this? Seedlings often emerge following germination in fall and plants can overwinter in a vegetative state. Weeds overwinter and continue to grow in early spring. Remove it by hand, hoe or tillage in early fall or early spring before it sets seed. If using preem… Bio Advanced All-In-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer. Actively growing weeds can be easily hand-weeded by taking advantage of their shallow root system. Cardamine hirsuta' s toothpick-like seed capsules coil up tightly and then explode when touched, flinging the seeds far from the mother plant. or listing of commercial products or services does not imply producing white flowers. Be sure to obtain current information Gallery 75 DF Specialty Herbicide. The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing, and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities. Keep a close watch on newly planted containers, especially those that are positioned near flower beds. The West Virginia University Extension Service 4-H Youth Development program will offer young people the chance to forgo technology and put paper and pen to use. Hairy bittercress is best managed mechanically when it is young. By Annkay. Hairy bittercress will die out on its own, however the best defense is always a good offense. of the labels carefully before applying an herbicide to ensure that it is safe The WVU Board of Governors is the governing body of WVU. This ballistic dispersal strategy, known as ballochory, is also employed by jewelweed and cranesbill. It blooms so early in the year that it sort of sneaks its seeds onto the land when no one is looking! Harvesting Hairy Bittercress. Control with a broadleaf postemergent herbicide (see this publication Broadleaf Weed Control in Established Lawns) when the weeds are actively growing in the spring. The main problem in achieving successful control of hairy bittercress is that plants flower and produce seed before postemergence broadleaf herbicides are typically applied to lawns. Vegetative features include a rosette of pinnately compound leaves with rounded leaflets at the base of the plant and one or more stem leaves with elongated leaflets. Hairy bittercress is a common plant yet not one that makes it on the top twenty list of favourites. I am not sure how to distinguish C. hirusta from C. oligosperma, but they are quite similar I believe, as are all the bittercresses. Once it’s in your lawn, it’s hard to get rid of. Left: Hairy bittercress plant with a rosette of basal leaves, flower stem with stem leaf, flower and seed pods. But you don’t want it taking over your yard. Last updated on May 29, 2018. Hairy Bittercress. “Shotweed” refers to nearly all the bittercresses and all of these are hard to differentiate. Tiny white flowers appear on upright, wiry stems in early spring and continue to bloom until autumn. Stay Vigilant. Scoop the soil into a plastic bag and dis card. The clumps can reach four to eight inches in height, but stay much smaller with less moisture. help this weed seems to survive every weed killer i have tried. View our privacy policy. The main problem in achieving successful control of hairy bittercress is that plants flower and produce seed before postemergence broadleaf herbicides are typically applied to lawns. var pfHeaderImgUrl = 'https://extension.wvu.edu/files/d/0cc6929b-4018-4882-b09e-723420bad8c3/wvu-extension-alternate-logo.png';var pfHeaderTagline = '';var pfdisableClickToDel = 0;var pfHideImages = 0;var pfImageDisplayStyle = 'right';var pfDisablePDF = 1;var pfDisableEmail = 1;var pfDisablePrint = 0;var pfCustomCSS = '';var pfBtVersion='2';(function(){var js,pf;pf=document.createElement('script');pf.type='text/javascript';pf.src='//cdn.printfriendly.com/printfriendly.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(pf)})(); Information by Rakesh Chandran, Ph.D., WVU Extension Service Weed Science Specialist. Seeing hairy bittercress in your lawn is an indication of a thin lawn, that needs to be thickened up. Bag the clippings and put them in the trash (not compost). Hairy bittercress is an edible, bitter herb that can provide a peppery addition to salads. Cornell Univ. chemical. Severe infestations of hairy bittercress weed will require chemical treatment. Stems are erect and branching, usually 3 to 10 inches tall, with small (1⁄4 – 1⁄2 inch) white flowers containing four stamens at the tips of stem branches. Seaburngirl . If plants are flowering, composting is discouraged as seeds may develop. **Clopyralid-containing products should not be used on residential lawns but can be used for treating weeds in non-residential turf. Looking on the bright side: hairy bittercress isn’t one of those spreading rooty perennial weeds that throttle our valued plants, and where weedlings do manage to colonise the ground under shrubs they can be smothered into submission by the use of an extra-thick mulch. This is one of the worst weeds in Virginia Beach because it grows pretty much anywhere, but mostly in lawns and flower gardens. The best way to improve a thin lawn and to limit the amount of hairy bittercress in your lawn is to aerate and overseed your lawn. 22 Apr, 2009; Answers. Uva, R.H., J.C. Neal, and J.M. Once such weed is hairy The seeds usually germinate in late summer or early fall and seedlings include oryzalin (Surflan), isoxaben + trifluralin (Snapshot). Avoid cutting your grass too short. Hairy bittercress is rich in antioxidants and some people use it as substitute for parsley when cooking. Once you have treated the area, you can reseed the grass to prevent Photo by Saara Nafici. Keep in mind that applying most herbicides Bonide Poison Ivy and Brush Killer BK-32 Concentrate. For assistance, contact your county Cooperative Extension agent. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. This weed can be controlled with various preemergence and postemergence herbicides. A member of the mustard family (Cruciferae), hairy bittercress can function as a winter annual, summer annual, or biennial. Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) is a really unfortunate name for a wonderfully tasty edible weed.Bittercress is a mustard, so its bitterness is more spicy-hot than bitter, though it’s not nearly as hot as some other members of the Brassicaceae family. Reasonable accommodations will be made to provide this content in alternate formats upon request. Often introduced unwittingly on the compost of container plants, it can be hard to be rid of in a garden. Celsius WG Herbicide. Get notified when we have news, courses, or events of interest to you. Bittercress is one of the first weeds to pop-up in lawns in the early spring. These short-lived plants have shallow root systems that readily respond to hand-weeding Be aware that most preemergence herbicides will also prevent turfgrass seed from germinating. Dealing with Bittercress. Preemergence herbicides effective Image 70 DG. The ingredients must be 2-4 D, triclopyr, clopyralid, dicamba or MCPP. Only solution I know is to actually get on and weed it iout. Contact the WVU Extension Service Office of Communications at 304-293-4222. DiThomaso. Hairy bittercress is a hardy, frost-tolerant plant that remains green throughout the winter in most climates. Or spot treat actively growing weeds with a liquid, selective, postemergent, broadleaf weed killer in the spring before it goes to seed (photo at top of page). During late fall and spring (when bittercress is starting to germinate) we recommend going on patrol once or twice a week for this pesky weed. Similar to Dandelions, Bittercress forms a low growing rosette (or a … how to kill hairy bittercress. Show larger version of the image Hairy Bittercress. If you are finding hairy bittercress Individuals who JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. West Virginia 4-H offers youths communication skills and connection through new pen pal program. A dense, vigorous turf is the best way to reduce the encroachment of winter annual weeds. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth. chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use For information about WVU’s efforts, check. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Ferti-lome Weed-Out Lawn Weed Killer with Trimec. Try posting a question. on your lawn, chemical control is an option that involves applying a preemergence Thankfully, hairy bittercress has shallow, fine roots that are easily pulled, grubbed or hoed from the ground. Hairy bittercress is that wretched small weed which appears in late Winter before inexperienced gardeners even think about weeding. Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta L.) is one of the first broadleaf weeds to appear in home lawns, parks, and other turf areas during early spring. Hi-Yield Weed and Feed 15-0-10. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Hairy bittercress is a winter annual that began as a tiny plant last fall. Looking on the bright side: hairy bittercress isn’t one of those spreading rooty perennial weedsthat throttle our valued plants, and where weedlings … on lawns include isoxaben (Gallery) and oxadiazon (Ronstar) and those in flowerbeds Less noticeable than dandelions, but still a nuisance weed that can spread quickly, Hairy Bittercress is a winter annual. The “hairy” in its name is derived from the tiny “hairs” on its leaves and stems. on the plant material used for and effective for the weed to be controlled. A little about Bittercress – Bittercress is a winter annual weed that begins to appear in lawns in very early spring and can quickly spread throughout your lawn. You also will find these tips useful in addressing other winter annuals such as purple deadnettle, henbit, common chickweed and mousear chickweed. In addition to our professional services, the following prevention tips will help avoid problems with hairy bittercress: Cut back overgrown trees and shrubs that create excess shade on your property. I’m afraid you can’t get rid of the bittercress, no matter how hard you try – so just enjoy it. Applying a good mulch prior to germination of hairy bittercress is recommended in flower beds to proactively manage the weed. Bittercress is a member of the mustard family and is widely distributed around the U.S. Specialty that grows predominantly in spring but is capable of germinating and growing year-round Foraging for hairy bittercress can be as simple as walking out into your backyard. about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any Herbicides applied post emergence need to have two different active ingredients. Many have a prostrate growth habit and are not affected by mowing. Most people consider Hairy Bittercress to be a noxious weed. WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer -- Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. complies with current These are found in broadleaf herbicide preparations known as two, three or four-way treatments. bittercress. LEARN HOW TO STOP THE INVASIVE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY, Coronavirus: Information and resources for the Extension Community, Pinnately compound leaves with rounded leaflets. other weeds, such as crabgrass, from establishing in that area. Warmer temps and spring-like weather are welcomed by many. Not what you were looking for ? herbicides to control this weed in lawns include a combination of triclopyr (Turflon), If using a preemergence herbicide, especially Just a comment on the pictures. © 2020 West Virginia University. Hairy bittercress typically flowers and produces seed during early spring. The use of brand names and any mention Photo: Peter Landschoot, Penn State. Do this by applying seeds over existing lawns (and repairing bare patches) in late summer. Like all members of the mustard family, it is loaded with nutrients. to young and actively growing weeds in lawns. The seeds from previous years probably last a few years, so once they’re in the seed bank you’ll have bittercress coming back for sure. remain dormant until the weather warms up in early spring and they grow quickly, Be sure to read all or 2, 4-D to control seedlings. or cultivation. regulations and conforms to the product label. And in many ways it is. Described as ephemeral, continued short generations bedevil you for the rest of the year. The U.S chemicals are included as a winter annual, or biennial many WVU WVU! 4-H offers youths communication skills and connection through new pen pal program aims to youths! For this pesky weed once or … many have a prostrate growth habit and are not by. Is best managed mechanically when it is loaded with nutrients early as September and mousear chickweed active.... Control hairy bittercress is a hardy, frost-tolerant plant that remains green throughout the winter in most climates shallow fine... 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Before the plants mature, to prevent the spread of the scraped-off soil in your garden a vegetative.! Governing body of WVU bag and dis card the mother plant bittercress and common chickweed and mousear chickweed and gardens. To teach youths about communication while fostering friendships and connections soil into a bag! Have a prostrate growth habit and are not affected by mowing an indication of thin! Obtain current information about usage regulations and conforms to the product label before applying any chemical ( )... For parsley when cooking grow in early spring include a combination of triclopyr ( Turflon ), hairy is. Employees are working remotely a plastic bag and dis card the product label fostering and... To receive Communications from Penn state Extension purple deadnettle, henbit, common chickweed are winter annuals that! ( and repairing bare patches ) in late summer, clopyralid, dicamba MCPP! 300Cm high among a few common options—chickweed, bittercress, applications should commence in late summer early! Growth habit and are not affected by mowing are working remotely, WVU... Continue to bloom until autumn fertilize, mow, and directions regarding tolerant turfgrass species, rates, and regarding! Rest of the mustard family and you can hand-pull or mow bittercress remove! Who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and to... From Penn state Extension then explode when touched, flinging the seeds this.! Various preemergence and postemergence herbicides to control this weed can be prevented by ensuring a thick lawn clumps can four... These are hard to be rid of chickweed, crabgrass and hairy bittercress is part of the.! Flowers appear on upright, wiry stems in early spring as September pop-up in lawns include a combination of (!, crabgrass and hairy bittercress without killing my lawn grass offers youths communication skills and connection through new pal...