As a homeowner, you strive to keep your lawn and garden beautiful. A crucial strategy in achieving your goal includes weed control. These noxious plants look like grass, but you should remove them from your yard and prevent their return. 

3 Grass Lookalikes in New Mexico That Need Weed Control 

1. Sand Bur

The sand bur thrives in graveled and rocky spaces, such as between pavement or sidewalks. In its young stage, it looks like crabgrass. As it matures, the growth develops sticker tops that hurt if you grab them. 

The most effective weed control is to pull the plant up by its roots. You need to get rid of this growth because its seed head carries burs that travel through the air with every breeze. If that happens, expect a new crop of weeds next year.

2. Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass, or Bromus tectorum, grows widely throughout New Mexico. In the seedling stage, the plant has hairy blades and sheaths. The weed features tall, erect stems that start out green, but turn reddish-brown when the plant matures. 

Wind transports the plant's large and heavy seeds short distances, but the seeds travel long distances when they get stuck in places including animal hair, clothing, mechanical equipment, and mud on shoes. You want to get rid of this invasive weed because it changes the composition of native rangeland and facilitates wildfires. The best weed control method for cheatgrass is pulling it by hand, but herbicides can help.  

3. Siberian Elm

Another widespread weed is the Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila, which becomes a tough tree if undisturbed. The green plant crops up in grass, with leaves 1 to 2 inches long and evenly spaced teeth. Typically, seedlings are easy to pull. Without weed control, this growth produces seeds that attract bats, beetles, and birds.

When you want to keep your lawn beautiful, turn to Taylor’s Weed & Pest Control in Hobbs, NM. Their weed control experts identify and get rid of troublesome growths and help stop their return. This team provides responsive, top-quality customer service to ensure your satisfaction. For more about their work, visit the website or call (575) 492-9247.