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The Top 10 Spring Weeds in Kansas City

Writer's picture: jason clarksonjason clarkson

Updated: Feb 2

The Top 10 Spring Weeds in Kansas City (And How to Stop Them)

Spring is a beautiful season in Kansas City, but it’s also when pesky weeds start sprouting, threatening the health and appearance of your lawn. These invaders compete with your grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight, making it crucial to tackle them early.

To help you protect your yard, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 spring weeds in Kansas City—and the best ways to keep them under control.

1. Crabgrass

What It Looks Like: Crabgrass is a fast-spreading annual weed with broad blades and a coarse texture. It thrives in sunny, compacted areas and quickly overtakes weak lawns.

How to Stop It: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring before the soil reaches 55°F to prevent germination.



2. Dandelions

What It Looks Like: These bright yellow flowers are a classic spring weed. While they might look pretty, their deep taproots can damage your lawn.

How to Stop It: Use a post-emergent herbicide or dig them out by the roots before they seed. Regular mowing also helps control their spread.



3. Clover

What It Looks Like: Clover has small, round leaves in groups of three and white or pink flowers. It’s a common spring weed that thrives in nutrient-deficient soil.

How to Stop It:Fertilize your lawn in spring to encourage grass growth, and spot-treat clover with a selective herbicide.


4. Henbit

What It Looks Like:Henbit is a purple-flowered weed with square stems and scalloped leaves. It prefers cool, moist conditions, making early spring its prime time.

How to Stop It:Apply a pre-emergent in late winter or early spring. Hand-pull small patches before they flower.


5. Chickweed

What It Looks Like:This low-growing weed spreads quickly, forming dense mats of small, white flowers and oval leaves.

How to Stop It:Pull chickweed by hand or use a pre-emergent herbicide in late winter. Consistent mowing can also keep it in check.


6. Wild Violets

What It Looks Like:These perennial weeds have heart-shaped leaves and purple or blue flowers. While pretty, they can quickly take over shady areas.

How to Stop It:Use a broadleaf herbicide specifically designed for violets, and consider improving soil drainage in shady areas.


7. Plantain

What It Looks Like:Broadleaf and buckhorn plantain have wide, oval leaves or narrow, lance-shaped leaves with deep veins.

How to Stop It:Remove plantains manually or apply a selective herbicide. Aerate compacted soil to prevent future growth.


8. Oxalis (Yellow Wood Sorrel)

What It Looks Like:Often confused with clover, oxalis has yellow flowers and grows aggressively in lawns.

How to Stop It:Spot-treat with a selective herbicide and improve soil health with proper fertilization.


9. Shepherd’s Purse

What It Looks Like:This weed has small, white flowers and triangular seed pods that resemble a shepherd’s purse.

How to Stop It:Apply a pre-emergent in early spring, and remove it by hand before it seeds.


10. Spurge

What It Looks Like:This low-growing weed has small, oval leaves and produces a milky sap when broken.

How to Stop It:Pull spurge by hand or use a post-emergent herbicide. Mulch flower beds to prevent its spread.


How to Protect Your Lawn from Spring Weeds

1. Start Early:Use pre-emergent herbicides in late winter to stop weeds before they germinate.

2. Mow Regularly:Maintain a proper mowing height to shade out weed seeds and prevent them from sprouting.

3. Fertilize and Water Correctly:A healthy, well-fed lawn is the best defense against weeds. Proper watering and fertilization strengthen your grass, leaving no room for invaders.

4. Call Turf Geeks:Spring weeds can be stubborn, but Turf Geeks has the tools and expertise to keep your lawn weed-free and healthy.

Say Goodbye to Weeds with Turf Geeks

If spring weeds are threatening to take over your Kansas City lawn, don’t let them win. Turf Geeks offers professional weed control solutions tailored to the specific needs of Kansas City and Liberty, MO homeowners.

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