Are you looking at waging the war on weeds? 

Now is the perfect time to do so.

We’ve had some decent rain, and the ground is really soft, which means pulling weeds can be relatively simple. 

But if we let things go, we can end up with all sorts of problems. Take ornamental agapanthus, for example - if it goes to seed, it needs to be removed promptly before it becomes problematic and starts to germinate.

Another weed that can get out of hand is the cat’s ear.

It looks similar to a dandelion, though there’s a difference: the cat’s ear has a branched stem, while a dandelion has a solitary stem. 

Both have yellow, daisy-like flowers. Once they start to seed, children often enjoy blowing on the seed heads, but this spreads the seeds into your lawn, leading to broadleaf weeds taking over if the lawn isn’t properly managed.

There are many weeds that need attention in our gardens, and allowing them to grow can quickly create serious problems. 

One example is the annual fleabane, also known as Canadian fleabane. It can grow to about a metre tall and produces flower heads that are ready to set seed. 

If a plant snaps off when pulled from the ground, it can regenerate from the root system, so early control is essential. 

Remember: one year of seeding can lead to seven years of weeding. 

Fleabane can produce up to 30,000 seeds per plant, making it critical to remove them before they reach this stage.

Flatweeds are another common problem. They grow strong taproots and compete with your lawn. 

Plantain is also a flatweed that can appear alongside others. The best way to control these is by maintaining a slightly higher lawn height — around 35 to 50 millimetres — which prevents flatweeds from competing. 

Selective herbicides can also help, but make sure you choose the right one for your lawn type, particularly for buffalo grass. 

If in doubt, consult your local nursery or horticulturist.

Manual removal is another effective option. Using a sharp knife or a small hand tool, you can remove weeds entirely, which is good for the environment and can be surprisingly relaxing.

Some annual weeds, like pitchforks or farmer’s friend (also called hitchhiker), spread easily because their seeds stick to clothing and get carried to other areas. 

Weeds are clever at dispersing themselves and often use us as their vehicle.

Ornamental plants such as agapanthus or dietes can also become problematic if seed heads aren’t removed. 

Dietes, for instance, form clumping, grass-like foliage that is low maintenance but still requires deadheading to prevent germination in mulch.

The key to successful weed management is early action. Remove weeds before they flower, when they are still small “threads”. 

You can hand-pull them or use chemical treatments. Glyphosate 360 is a strong non-selective herbicide but must be used carefully to avoid harming desirable plants.

Softer options include pelarganic acid, which desiccates foliage without spreading through the plant. 

Trigger pack sprays and path weeders with pre-emergent chemicals can also prevent weeds from germinating in pathways, gaps, and around pavers for up to a year.

Once you’ve removed weeds, the next step is to prevent them from returning.

Mulching is essential. Apply mulch to moist soil to cover the weeded area, or consider sheet mulching by laying down layers of cardboard or newspaper topped with decorative mulch. 

This creates a barrier between the soil and seeds, reducing germination.

Regular observation is crucial. Remove weeds when they are small threads, then apply mulch to protect the area. 

With consistent effort, weed management becomes far easier, and your garden stays healthy and attractive.