Chickweed is a low, spreading, winter annual weed that germinates when we receive lots of cool, wet weather. Its leaves are opposite each other, smooth and elliptical in shape. It is tolerant of a variety of conditions and thrives in moist, shady locations. This weed can produce seeds five weeks after germination and will continue to produce seeds for months. Each common chickweed plant can produce over 800 seeds and the seeds can lay dormant in soil for up to 10 years. Chickweed is an herb native to Europe and can be added to salads and other foods. It is said to have a mildly floral, grass-like flavor likened to corn silks. It can be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. The weed also serves as a host plant for the larva of the Venerable Dart and Chickweed Geometer moths. The flowers provide nectar for elfin butterflies, syrphid flies and other beneficial insects. On the other hand, chickweed can serve as a host plant for problematic insects such as spider mites and thrips and be a reservoir host for tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV).
If you are seeing weeds in your lawn contact TDI for a service call to have your technician come and resolve the weeds.