How to Stop Oxalis Weeds from Invading Your Lawn

Wanting a great looking lawn is not a crime in Northeast Ohio. 

But weeds can ruin that lawn you’re dreaming of having. They are blemishes on the curb appeal-boosting nature of healthy, thriving grass. 

And some weeds can be harder to tackle than others. 

Take oxalis, for example. This low-growing perennial weed is resilient, making it tough to eliminate. 

Let’s talk about oxalis weed, what it is, what it looks like, and how to get rid of oxalis in your lawn. 

Let’s Start With This Question: What is Oxalis Weed?

Because knowing the weed you’re fighting is important to proper weed control, let’s talk about what oxalis weed is.

This process can help you better identify it.  

And you may not want to get to know these weeds any better – who would!? But understanding them and their differences can really help you get a handle on them in your lawn. Each one has unique attributes that give you insight into how to stop them. 

What Does Oxalis Weed Look Like?

You know you’re dealing with oxalis weed in your Northeast Ohio home lawn when you see a creeping weed that resembles a miniature clover-like appearance. 

This means it has heart-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers. Also known as yellow woodsorrel, this cool-season perennial weed comes back each year, and it can grow sporadically in landscape beds and lawns. 

How Does Oxalis Weed Spread?

Oxalis weed is great at spreading its seeds. 

In fact, it can forcefully eject seed pods as much as 10 feet away. Animals, people, birds, and insects also can help oxalis spread by carrying seeds to new areas. 

And weed’s root system can also be frustrating to control. Anywhere an oxalis weed’s stem touches the ground, the plant can grow new roots. 

Oxalis grows under a variety of conditions, but it prefers moist, fertile soils and full sun. 

It can also tolerate shady areas. 

How to Get Rid of Oxalis in Your Lawn 

Yes, when it comes to this invasive weed, you definitely want to learn how to get rid of oxalis before it takes over and then keeps coming back in your lawn every year. 

Let’s look at oxalis weed control, so you can fight the weed once you properly identify your weed problem.

How Do You Kill Oxalis? 

Preemergent weed control is not effective at stopping oxalis weed before it starts. But a professional will do this right because it has to be applied at the proper time of year and may require one or more subsequent applications. Not only that, but the herbicide granules must be watered in appropriately. 

Most oxalis seeds germinate in the late winter/early spring, but some can germinate any time of year. 

Then, you can also use a postemergent herbicide for those weeds that break through. This product applied to the weed foliage after it emerges are often more effective at killing the smaller weeds versus the older, more mature ones. Again, multiple spot treatments by a professional may be necessary for a bad infestation. 

How to Prevent Oxalis Weed

Controlling oxalis is one thing; preventing it is another. 

Follow these tips for a lawn that is more bulletproof against oxalis: 

• Don’t mow too short. Mowing your lawn too short stresses it out. Mow to a 3- to 4-inch height to ensure your tall, thick grass blocks the sun’s light that could germinate weed seeds.
• Water correctly. Water with a minimum of 1½ inches of water each week, keeping rainfall in mind.
• Thicken your lawn with annual aeration and overseeding each fall to increase lawn density, ensuring oxalis doesn’t have as much of a chance to emerge.

Do You Have Oxalis Weed? It’s Time to Get Rid of It 

Weeds never take time off. When the right conditions are present, they jump into your lawn and plan their takeover. And oxalis weed is no exception. 

To get rid of oxalis, you have to plan ahead. And that means working with a Northeast Ohio lawn care service provider that knows how to battle multiple types of weeds and can also keep your lawn healthy with proper mowing, watering, fertilization, aeration, and overseeding. They should also know the proper timing of weed applications to ensure control and keep a watch for any breakthroughs so they can spot treat those occurrences. 

You want to be outside playing games with your kids and tossing the ball for your dog. You don’t want to waste time managing a weed like oxalis.  

Let Turf Pride help you get your precious time back. We can get down to business taking care of the oxalis weeds in your lawn, so you can worry more about fun and less about these problems in your grass. After all, a great lawn is meant for spending time enjoying and not for increasing your anxiety levels. 

Ready to learn why Turf Pride could be your choice for lawn care services in Northeast Ohio? We’re excited to learn more about you and help you have the best lawn on the block. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we can prepare a customized plan that is perfect for you and your lawn. 

Image Source: Oxalis in lawn, Oxalis flower