Using Weeds as Indicators of Turf Management and Environmental Conditions

It is commonly thought that large weed populations are responsible for driving desirable grasses from a turf area. In reality, the presence of weeds, and the lack of turf, often indicates the turf’s inability to compete and survive in settings where weeds can. Although it is impractical to expect totally weed-free turf, the presence of large numbers of weeds is often an indication of problems in the growing environment or in turfgrass culture. Employing recommended cultural techniques and altering the growing environment can improve turf quality and health and, thus, reduce the need for pesticide applications.

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