Weed Identification Guide for Kansas City Lawns

Are weeds taking over your Kansas City lawn? Learn how to identify and control common weeds before they spread!

In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ The most common weeds in Kansas City, Liberty & Lee’s Summit
✅ How to identify broadleaf & grassy weeds
✅ The best weed control methods for Missouri lawns

📌 Need help getting rid of weeds? Call Turf Geeks for expert weed control services!

Broadleaf Weeds in Kansas City

Broadleaf weeds have wide leaves, making them easy to spot in your lawn. They compete with grass for nutrients and can quickly spread if not treated.

1️⃣ Dandelion

🔹 How to Identify: Bright yellow flower, turns into white seed head (“puffball”)
🔹 Grows: Early spring through fall
🔹 Control:
✔ Use post-emergent herbicide for broadleaf weeds
✔ Hand-pull before seed dispersal

2️⃣ Clover

🔹 How to Identify: Small three-leaf clusters, white or pink flowers
🔹 Grows: Spring to fall, thrives in low-nitrogen soil
🔹 Control:
✔ Apply broadleaf herbicide (2,4-D or Triclopyr)
✔ Fertilize regularly to improve lawn density

3️⃣ Chickweed

🔹 How to Identify: Low-growing spreading weed with small white flowers
🔹 Grows: Early spring before grass fully greens up
🔹 Control:
✔ Apply pre-emergent in early spring
✔ Use post-emergent herbicide if already established

Grassy Weeds in Kansas City

Grassy weeds look like grass but spread aggressively, choking out healthy turf.

4️⃣ Crabgrass

🔹 How to Identify: Grows in clumps, light green, thrives in bare spots
🔹 Grows: Late spring through summer
🔹 Control:
✔ Apply pre-emergent in early spring (soil temps 50-55°F)
✔ Use post-emergent herbicide if crabgrass has sprouted

5️⃣ Nutsedge

🔹 How to Identify: Bright green, waxy leaves, grows taller than grass
🔹 Grows: Summer, thrives in wet soil
🔹 Control:
✔ Use specialized herbicides (not standard weed killers)
✔ Improve lawn drainage to prevent growth

6️⃣ Foxtail

🔹 How to Identify: Tall, bushy seed heads, looks like a “foxtail”
🔹 Grows: Late spring through fall
🔹 Control:
✔ Apply pre-emergent in spring
✔ Mow at the right height to reduce seed spread

🚫 How to Prevent Weeds in Kansas City Lawns

✔ Apply Pre-Emergent in Spring: Stops weeds before they sprout
✔ Mow at the Correct Height: Taller grass shades out weeds
✔ Use Proper Fertilization: A healthy lawn prevents weed takeover
✔ Aerate & Overseed in Fall: Thick grass leaves no room for weeds