
Weeds
Quick Guide to Sonoma County Weeds
Weeds are often the biggest source of ongoing upkeep in a garden, regardless of the size or type. They can grow quickly and out of control, crowding out garden plants in competition for light and nutrients. Removal is easiest when weeds are small and in moist soil when it takes little effort to grub out seedlings or pull sprouts. For winter annuals, our most common weeds, this means shortly after the first rains of the season. Delaying weed control can bring difficult problems as tap roots sink deeper, stems spread, and more seeds germinate.
Physical removal—or better yet, preventing germination with a thick layer of mulch—is far preferable than applying herbicidal sprays. Chemicals such as glyphosate (marketed as Roundup) will kill weeds but leave them standing until they wither away. Non-selective chemicals also threaten to damage or kill non-target plants as well as pose an unknown danger to humans and pets. In addition, irrigating by drip systems rather than overhead watering keeps much of the garden dry and inhospitable to weed seed germination. Below are listed some of the most common weeds found in Sonoma County.
Another resource to help identify weeds is the Weed Key developed by UCANR, which walks you step-by-step to identify the type of weed you're looking at.
Common Chickweed
(Stellaria media)

Common Chickweed is low-growing and can form large, dense patches. It is most often found in cool, moist, shady, often compacted, fertile sites. It may persist through summer in garden spots insulated from heat and drought.

To control common chickweed without chemicals, pull out foliage and roots before it spreads wider and goes to seed.

Common Mallow
(Malva neglecta)

Seed pods adhere along the stem as plants mature, then drop and lay dormant until soil moistens from rain or irrigation. This weed is very resistant to the herbicide glyphosate (marketed as Roundup) especially once plants mature. Control established plants by moistening soil and digging out the entire length of roots or mow repeatedly to weaken and prevent formation of seed pods.
Common Purslane
(Portulaca oleracea)
Common purslane is a thick-leaved, fleshy, summer annual that can thrive in dry, weak soils. All parts are edible and have long been eaten raw in salads, sautéed as a side dish, or added to soups.

Succulent leaves have smooth margins, are alternate or opposite on stems, rounded at the tip and narrowed at the base, and vary from 1/4 to 1 1/4 inches long. Thick, round stems spread low to the ground and easily root when in contact with the soil, expanding quickly into a heavy, solid mat. Flowers are about ½ inch in diameter, yellow with five petals, and open only in sun. Tiny black seeds fall from dry capsules and may lie dormant in soil for years.
Control is best achieved by pulling young plants when soil is moist. Once established, purslane develops a strong taproot and is drought tolerant. Pieces of the plant—stems or leaves—will root if left lying on the ground.
Smooth or Large Crabgrass
(Digitaria sanguinalis)

Seeds develop on long, finger-like spikes on stem tips or side branches as weeds mature. Control crabgrass in spring by removing young plants before seeds form or alternately by applying an herbicide. In late winter (January), control by applying a pre-emergent herbicide to areas where crabgrass grew the previous season.
Prickly lettuce
(Lactuca serriola)


Seeds germinate easily and plants quickly develop a deep tap root. Control before flowers set seed by pulling plants where soil is loose in garden beds. In heavy or compacted soil, the tap root is difficult to extract and must be dug out. The herbicide glyphosate (marketed as Roundup) will kill plants but should be applied only on seedlings and very young plants.
Jimson Weed
(Datura stramonium)
Toxic and potentially deadly jimsonweed grows readily in vacant lots and along roadsides but can show up annually in gardens where it often goes unnoticed until flowers appear in summer. White or purple trumpets, 3-5 inches long, are followed by oval, spiny seed capsules resembling large burrs.

While an herbicide can be applied as directed by the manufacturer, avoid herbicides near edible crops. Wear gloves to pull or dig out weeds before flowers and seed heads develop. Ideally, eradicate young sprouts to avoid regeneration from lower nodes of mature plants. Persistence is the key to this sometimes difficult-to-control weed.
