Chickweed

This winter annual broadleaf weed commonly infests thin or dormant lawn areas. You can identify common chickweed (Stellaria media) by its prostrate, mat-forming growth habit, small egg-shaped to elliptical leaves, hairy stems, and small clusters of white, 5-petaled flowers at the ends of stems.

Control: Handpulling is a simple, practical approach for small areas. Improve the health and density of the lawn by fertilizing at the right time and with the correct amount; maintaining an appropriate soil pH; mowing at the recommended height; and watering properly. Apply a two- to three-inch layer of mulch to ornamental bed areas to suppress germinating weed seeds. Since this weed reproduces by seed, control it before seeds are produced. Herbicides are available depending on the crop grown.