What Are Spurge Weeds and How Do You Get Rid Of Them?

Spring is the perfect time to prepare for everything summer brings. The warmer weather and later sunlight bring people outside of their homes and into their yards. From filling container gardens to laying new mulch, spring is kickoff season for yard work. Just a couple of weeks ago, here in east Tennessee, we started needing to mow our lawns and prepare them for summer.

A big part of lawn maintenance is weed control. As with so many things, prevention is key. This is particularly true with spurge weeds, which plague lawns all across the United States. Spurge weeds are hardy and produce thousands of seeds per plant once they flower, so it’s important to catch them before they sprout or very soon after.

Ahead, some more information about how to spot spurge weeds, how best to get rid of them, and what you can do to prevent them.

What Are Spurge Weeds?

Spurge weeds belong to the genus Euphorbia. They are fast-growing, invasive plants that are the bane of many Americans with lawns and lawn care routines. They thrive in poor, compacted soil and hot, dry environments, so they are especially prolific during summer months.

According to Julia Omelchenko, resident botany expert at plant care app Plantum, “There are several types of spurge, such as the spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata), the ground spurge (Euphorbia prostrate) and the creeping spurge (Euphorbia serpens), to name a few. While these species slightly differ in appearance and growth patterns, they still have lots in common.”

Omelchenko details, “Spurge weeds form thick mats, smothering grass and cultivated plants,” and they’re particularly problematic because “if left unchecked, these highly resilient weeds can quickly spread over a large area.” Each plant can produce thousands of seeds that can germinate immediately, the next year, or stay dormant in the soil for years, according to the horticulture division of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, when the stems or leaves of spurge weeds are damaged, they release a milky white sap that irritates the skin and can be toxic to pets if swallowed.

Another characteristic of spurge weeds is their adaptability to various conditions and their rapid reproduction, both of which make them a huge nuisance to residential landscapes.

What Do Spurge Weeds Look Like?

Spurge weeds are easy to spot. They grow in areas like cracks in sidewalks, driveways or garden beds near concrete and have a distinct appearance that’s easy to distinguish from surrounding plants and grass.

Ryan Walts, turf management expert and training coach of lawn maintenance franchise Lawn Squad, describes spurge weeds as having “a distinctive appearance with small, oval leaves arranged in a whorled pattern around the stems. The leaves may have a reddish tint, especially in the summer heat. One of the key identifiers is the plant’s ability to form a mat-like structure on the ground, which can crowd out surrounding plants.”

Omelchenko adds, “During the growing season, spurge produces tiny green or pink flowers in the leaf axils. Despite their size, these flowers generate a large number of seeds, allowing spurge to spread rapidly. The seeds can be carried by wind, water, animals, lawnmowers, and even sticking to shoes.”

How To Get Rid of Spurge Weeds

Although spurge weeds are invasive and spread quickly, they don’t have to be hard to get rid of if you’re aware of some important points.

The first line of defense against spurge weeds, once they appear in your landscape, is weeding by hand. Targeting spurge weeds is easy because they’re easy to spot. Omelchenko explains how to hand-weed spurge weeds effectively: “Hand-weeding is a good option for handling small patches of spurge plants, provided you do it properly. It’s crucial to remove the root system, especially the taproot, to prevent regrowth. Make sure to wear gloves during the process to avoid contact with the irritating sap. The best time to remove spurge is when the soil is moist, as dry soil can cause the roots to break, leaving parts behind and allowing the weed to grow back.”

Herbicides can also be used to deal with spurge weed, but Omelchenko cautions, “Remember that herbicides can harm other garden plants or crops and can be toxic to humans and animals, so use them only as a last resort.” She adds that “herbicides are most useful when spurge appears in sidewalk cracks or garden paths rather than in garden beds or lawns.”

Walts is also a proponent of herbicides. “The most effective way to control spurge weeds is to apply the weed control product directly on the target area. Spurge is a broadleaf weed, so applying the appropriate post-emergent herbicide that targets broadleaf weeds is essential,” he says.

How to Prevent Spurge Weeds From Returning

Because spurge weeds are invasive, you should expect their yearly return to your garden. However, there are some preventive measures you can take.

Maintaining a healthy lawn is actually one of the best ways to discourage spurge weeds. Omelchenko explains, “Since spurge weeds thrive in compacted or poor soils, they tend to appear in lawns with thin or bare patches. That’s why proper lawn care, such as mowing, watering, and fertilizing, promotes thick and strong grass that can naturally outcompete weeds like spurge.” Walts concurs, saying, “Prevention begins with maintaining a healthy lawn. Aeration, fertilization, and overseeding can help create a dense lawn that makes it more difficult for spurge weeds to establish. A well-maintained lawn is a natural defense against many weed species, including spurge.”

In addition, pre-emergent herbicides and consistent hand-pulling can help keep spurge weed under control. However, it’s important that both of these methods be used before seeds germinate in order to maximize their effectiveness. “Consistent hand-pulling of any young spurge plants before they can produce seeds will help to limit their spread,” confirms Walts.

FAQs

Why are spurge weeds so hard to control?

Spurge weeds are difficult to control due to a few factors. They thrive in areas that are inhospitable to other plants, such as in compacted soil and in hot, dry environments, so it’s easy for them to grow. Their tap roots are hard to pull out, so even when they are pulled by hand, and you think you got them, they could re-emerge from the tap root remnant that’s still in the soil. In addition, they are self-seeding and can spread quickly if not kept in check.

Can I eliminate spurge weeds for good?

Spurge weeds are prolific, rampant, and invasive. You shouldn’t expect to get rid of them once and for all. Instead, you should prepare for them with a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring and then be vigilant to hand weed whenever you see new plants pop up so they don’t have a chance to germinate and spread. Also, stay on top of maintaining your lawn, since dense, healthy lawns with no bare spots help minimize spurge weed.

About the Experts

• Julia Omelchenko is a botanist at AIBY Inc. and plant expert for the Plantum plant care app, where she has consulted on botany-related topics for five years. Her areas of specialization include phytopathology, plant physiology, and plant biochemistry.

• Ryan Walts is a turf management and maintenance expert with a passion for turf science. He is also a training manager and business coach for lawn treatment franchise Lawn Squad.

Sources

• Julia Omelchenko, botanist and plant consultant for plant care app Plantum

• Ryan Walts, turf management expert and training manager at Lawn Squad

• “University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension: Spotted Spurge, Chamaesyce (=Euphorbia) maculata“

• “University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Spotted Spurge and Other Spurges” (2009)

The post What Are Spurge Weeds and How Do You Get Rid Of Them? appeared first on Family Handyman.

For top-notch cleaning services, look no further than mj cleaning services, where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities. Whether you're in need of a one-time cleaning or ongoing maintenance, m j cleaning services offers a wide range of options to suit your requirements. With a reputation for excellence, m.j. cleaning services delivers professional and reliable cleaning solutions to ensure your home or office stays pristine and welcoming.