Weeds are a nuisance for property owners in Iowa. These invasive plants can overtake your lawn and steal its nutrients for themselves. However, weeds typically fall into two categories for their life cycle: annual and perennial. Annual weeds complete their life cycle in one growing season. They germinate, grow, and die within a year, producing seeds that will sprout the following season. Perennial weeds live for more than two years, growing back from their roots each season. These weeds can spread through seeds, as well as rhizomes and stolons. To keep both annual and perennial weeds from taking over your lawn, you should sign up for a professional weed control program.

What are annual weeds?

Green crabgrass weed and dead grass in Des Moines, IA.

Annual weeds are weeds that complete their life cycle in one growing season. They germinate, grow, and die within a year. They produce seeds that will sprout the following season, continuing the cycle. There are two types of annual weeds: summer annuals and winter annuals. Summer annuals germinate in the spring or early summer, then flower and produce seeds before dying off by the first frost. Winter annuals germinate in the fall or winter, then flower and produce seeds in the spring before dying in the summer.

Annual weeds are often fast-growing and can quickly take over your lawn if left unchecked. They can spread through seeds, with some types producing hundreds or thousands throughout their life. Some common annual weeds include crabgrass, chickweed, and henbit.

There are two types of annual weeds: summer annuals and winter annuals.

What are perennial weeds?

White clover growing on a lawn in Des Moines, IA.

Perennial weeds are weeds that live for more than two years. They grow back from their roots each season, making them more difficult to control than annual weeds. Perennial weeds can spread through seeds, as well as through underground stems called rhizomes and stolons that grow aboveground. This means that even if you remove the top of the weed, it can still regrow if root fragments are left behind. Some common perennial weeds include dandelions, clover, and thistle. Perennial weeds are often more aggressive than annual weeds and can cause long-term issues if not properly dealt with.

What's the best way to control annual and perennial weeds on your lawn?

To keep both annual and perennial weeds from taking over your lawn, you should sign up for a professional weed control program. Professionals will visit your property multiple times throughout the growing season to apply pre- and post-emergent weed control treatments. Pre-emergent weed control treatments create a barrier in the soil that prevents newly germinated weeds from breaking through the surface. On the other hand, post-emergent treatments target existing weeds, eliminating them so they can't continue to spread. By investing in a professional weed control program, you can rest easy knowing that your lawn will be free of weeds throughout the year!

Contact Us to Enroll in Our Weed Control Service

If you're looking for a company you can trust to keep your lawn free of weeds, look no further than A+ Lawn & Landscape! We offer a weed control service that includes multiple visits from early spring until late fall to apply both pre- and post-emergent treatments. These treatments are effective against both annual and perennial weeds, keeping them from causing problems for your grass. But wait, that's not all - this service also comes with fertilization and other essential treatments to ensure your lawn has everything it needs to thrive.

We offer our weed control service to homeowners, business owners, and HOAs in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, IA, and throughout the surrounding areas. Give us a call at (515) 289-2020 to enroll today! We look forward to working with you to help you achieve the weed-free lawn of your dreams!