While one gardener’s weed is another’s pretty green thing, most everyone will agree that uninvited plants simply get in the way of what we want to grow. Here are profiles of six of the most common annoying weeds to help you identify and get rid of them.

Dandelion

Taraxacum Officinale

  • PerennialSpreads by seedsHeight to 1 footFound in the U.S. (not southernmost TX, CA, AZ, and FL) and southern Canadacan flower at any time when temperatures permit.

Dig out the entire taproot, hoe plants before they flower, and spread corn gluten in early spring to suppress seedlings.

Annual Sow-Thistle

Sonchus Oleraceus

  • Perennialspreads by seedsheight to 18 inchesfound across the U.S. and southern Canada, mostly in lawnsflowers July through October

Dig out entire root, or cut at soil line until root stops sprouting. Aerate and add organic matter to lawn. This weed tolerates compacted soil and shade.

Carpetweed

Mollugo Verticillata

  • Annualspreads by seedsstems grow to 1 footfound across the U.S., except for ND and parts of MT and MNflowers June through November

Hoe or pull plants when they appear. Mulch deeply to smother any seedlings.

Large Crabgrass

Digitaria Sanguinalis

  • Annualspreads by seeds/roots at leaf jointsheight to 3 feetfound across the U.S., except ND and parts of SD, MT, and MNflowers June through October

Pull out entire plant, including roots. Mulch or let grass grow to 3 to 4 inches high to prevent seed germination. Mowing will not kill this plant. Spread corn gluten in early spring to suppress seedlings.

Poison Ivy

Rhus Radicans

  • Perennialspreads by creeping rootstock found across U.S. (not AK or CA) and southern Canada, as vine or shrub flowers in May and June

Entire plant is toxic. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Cut plant at base, let it dry out, and bury or put vines in trash. Do not compost or burn (inhaling smoke can be fatal). Mulch with cardboard.

Prickly Lettuce

Lactuca Serriola

  • Annual/biennialspreads by seedsheight to 5 feetfound across the U.S. except for southernmost FLflowers July through September

Hoe or pull plants as you see them, or cut taproot below soil line. Wear gloves. Attracts beneficial insects and so may be fine for outlying areas, but can play host to lettuce diseases.