Summer is a time to enjoy your lawn and hang outside with friends and family, but when summer weeds try to invade, they can destroy the look and feel of your grass, making it look much less inviting and potentially hazardous.

Learn about three common summer weeds that can invade your lawn in Lowell, Ada, Cascade, and the nearby areas of Michigan and how you can identify and kill them before they take over the entire yard.

1. Clover is easily identified by its three leaves grouped together.

Clover weeds growing at a Ada, MI home.

We have both red clover and white clover here, so it is easy to see the flowers of these weeds when they begin to sprout. The plant itself has three leaves clustered together that make it easy to identify. Many easily confuse clover with other plants like oxalis and black medic that also have three leaves together, but clover leaves are teardrop-shaped while oxalis has heart-shaped leaves.

Clover will begin growing in your lawn during the summer and thrives when lawns are dry and soil is compacted.

2. Some types of thistle are considered invasive plants.

Bright purple thistle weed blooms in Lowell, MI.

In our area of Michigan, there are several types of thistle that grow. Some of these thistle plants are considered invasive, meaning they are not native to the area and need to be removed. Invasive thistle species include:

  • Canadian thistle
  • Bull thistle
  • European swamp thistle

The thistle is characterized with its tuft-like bright purple flowers that grow tall above other plants. However, it is imperative to note that some types of thistle are native to Michigan. If you see thistle in your yard, contact a lawn care professional to remove it for you. Some types, such as the Canadian thistle, are perennial, meaning they will come back year after year if they are not removed properly. Pulling them from the ground can end up making the removal process more difficult. They usually show up in early summer and need weed control treatments to be fully eliminated.

3. Plantain should not be confused with the banana-like fruit.

Broadleaf plantain weeds growing in a patch of dirt near Lowell, MI.

Broadleaf plantain begins to grow in our cool-season grasses when the summer months turn hot. This weed may be named plantain, but it should not be confused with the banana-like fruit that is often enjoyed. Broadleaf plantain strikes when lawns have lots of moisture and the soil is compacted. It should be treated with both pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control treatments, as it can be stubborn and harder to eliminate than some other weeds.

Are you seeing any common summer weeds in your lawn? Call us to come get rid of them for you.

Our lawn care company works with many properties throughout Lowell, Ada, Cascade, and surrounding cities in Michigan. We help create beautiful, healthy lawns with our services. If you are seeing any of these common summer weeds trying to invade your lawn, our professional technicians can help by applying weed control applications. Call us at (616) 425-7500 so we can come get rid of these weeds for you and you can get back to having fun on your green, verdant grass.