Do you have a pesky dollarweed problem? 

Dollarweed is thought of by some people as being the worst weed problem within St. Augustine grasses.  If you live in a warm or coastal climate, you’ve likely experienced the invasion of dollarweed (also called pennywort) in your lawn or garden. Unfortunately, this pesky problem is caused by excess moisture, and it thrives in areas of poor drainage, excess irrigation, poor soil, and thin turf.  This is largely due to the fact that Dollarweed and St. Augustine sod are perennial plants that thrive in the same type of soil and climate conditions. It is especially an issue in warm weather months, and many people will see this annoying plant popping up in the Spring, especially after a good rain.

Given the opportunity, they can easily take over your St. Augustine lawn. Listed below are a few ways to nip your problem in the bud.

1.)  First and foremost, it’s important to mow your lawn to the proper height.  A lawn at is at optimal height is a healthy lawn.

2.)  Make sure you are not overwatering!  Dollarweed thrives in moist soil, so overwatering will exacerbate the issue.  For more information on how to properly water your lawn, visit our article on how to properly water your lawn.

 

Dollarweed appears to have a  small, round, shiny leaves that are shaped like coins.   Whether it’s caused by over-irrigating, too much rain, or poor soil drainage, thin turf in wet areas can quickly be taken over by this tough and hardy plant. Dollarweed spreads both by seeds and underground roots, making it very difficult to eliminate. Like many weeds, you may find that you’re managing it rather than eradicating it.

So how do you get rid of it you ask?

How To Control Dollarweed

If you have dollarweed in your yard, here are some tips on how to reclaim your turf:

  • Improve Grass: The presence of weeds is a clear sign that your grass isn’t healthy as you might think, and thick turf is by far your best defense. Take steps to identify why your grass is weak, and focus on getting your lawn as healthy as possible. It’s important to treat any diseases, insect infestations, soil problems, and maintain proper mowing height (that is where we come in).
  • Reduce Irrigation: You can use a rain gauge to make sure your lawn is receiving one inch of water per week. If it’s getting a lot more than one inch of water per week then you must reduce irrigation to keep your lawn from becoming soggy.  Too much water can discourage your grass and encourage dollarweed to grow.
  • Improve Drainage:  There are steps you can take to improve the drainage in your lawn to reduce the moist conditions that attract dollarweed. It may be as simple as aerating and top-dressing your lawn to improve the soil. Or it may require a more costly solution, such as an underground drainage system.
  • Remove Weeds: Hand pull dollarweed whenever you can, and be sure to get all the roots.
  • Herbicides:  Last but not least, if all else fails, you may need to apply a broadleaf herbicide to help control your pesky problem. Apply products while the weeds are actively growing.  Dollarweed is a common invader of warm-season lawns, which can be sensitive to generic herbicides.
  • Organic Solutions: Natural, organic products, such as vinegar, may also work on dollarweed if repeatedly applied.
  •  Call J&J Lawn Service, Inc:  We will help you fix your problem!   954-732-5008