In the United States, stellaria media is a common winter annual.There are white flowers and small leaves of chickweed.If you have a plant in your lawn, it's best to kill it with a weed killer and keep the grass green.If you have patches of chickweed in your garden, you can either kill it with a chemical or hand pull it and spread mulch to keep it from re-emerging.
Step 1: In September, apply a weed killer.
You can find a pre-emergent weed killer at your local lawn and garden store or online.Pre-emergent weed killer should be applied to the entire lawn.To find out how much to use, follow the instructions in the package.If you have yet to seed your lawn, don't use pre-emergent weed killer.
Step 2: In the spring, apply a weed killer.
Choose a broadleaf weedkiller from a home and garden center.If you see chickweed in your yard, spray it with the weed killer.Refer to the instructions on the package for more information.Before applying post-emergent weed killer, newly-seeded lawns should be cut at least 3 times.
Step 3: The grass should be cut to less than 10 cm.
The plant is 10 to 30 cm tall and needs seeds to reproduce.If you cut your grass frequently, it will prevent chickweed from growing on your property.Don't cut your grass when it's wet and use a sharp mower blade to keep it as healthy as possible.
Step 4: Don't water the lawn very often.
If you want to get rid of chickweed, provide large amounts of water less often than you do now.Wait to water the lawn until you see signs of dehydration.There are signs of dehydration that include the grass that is grayish and has a footprint for more than a few minutes.
Step 5: It is possible to spray patches of chickweed.
If you like a simple solution, use distilled white vinegar.Make sure to coat the entire plant with it if you put it in a spray bottle.The chickweed will be gone if you apply the vinegar once a week.You can buy the weed killer from your garden center.Refer to the instructions in the package.
Step 6: The chickweed can be pulled out by hand.
Pull the chickweed out of the soil after the poison has killed it.It may be easier to rake the area if you have difficulty.The chickweed should be placed in a bag to prevent it from spreading.The best time to remove new, small plants is before they flower.Wait until the soil is dry to prevent missed chickweed seeds from germinating.
Step 7: Don't leave the soil.
If you want to reduce the likelihood of chickweed seeds taking root in your garden, you need to plant them in the soil.Turn the soil over to a depth of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) with a rototiller or shovel after removing weed debris from your garden.
Step 8: Spread mulch over your garden.
The amount of light that can reach weeds is reduced by mulch.Choose an organic mulch, like wood chips or bark, and layer it at least 2 inches deep.Synthetic mulch can be used like landscape fabric.The fabric should not be removed until the cold months.