--- title: Getting to the Root Cause of Weed Problems description: Most weeds are indicators of larger problems in the landscape. image: https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PRIMG-Misc-Weeds-in-Pavers1-2.jpg --- ### Resources [![Ewing Outdoor Supply Logo V 4 Color](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Ewing%20Outdoor%20Supply%20Logo%20V%204%20Color.png) ](https://www.ewingoutdoorsupply.com/) [![Login/Register](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20200354/5d045e9a-574a-4a92-a8cc-1ce2a4352784.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20200354/5d045e9a-574a-4a92-a8cc-1ce2a4352784) 0 You have no items in your shopping cart ### Shop Products Shop Products # Irrigation & Landscape supply Blog # Getting to the Root Cause of Weed Problems [Ewing Outdoor Supply](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ewing-outdoor-supply) on October 14, 2014 Share - [**](https://twitter.com/share?source=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/getting-to-the-root-cause-of-weed-problems-2774889&text=Getting%20to%20the%20Root%20Cause%20of%20Weed%20Problems%20-%20https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/getting-to-the-root-cause-of-weed-problems-2774889) - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/getting-to-the-root-cause-of-weed-problems-2774889&title=Getting%20to%20the%20Root%20Cause%20of%20Weed%20Problems&picture=https://20200354.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20200354/Imported_Blog_Media/PRIMG-Misc-Weeds-in-Pavers1-2.jpg&description=Most%20weeds%20are%20indicators%20of%20larger%20problems%20in%20the%20landscape.) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/getting-to-the-root-cause-of-weed-problems-2774889&title=Getting%20to%20the%20Root%20Cause%20of%20Weed%20Problems&summary=Most%20weeds%20are%20indicators%20of%20larger%20problems%20in%20the%20landscape.) - [**](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/getting-to-the-root-cause-of-weed-problems-2774889) ![](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PRIMG-Misc-Weeds-in-Pavers1-2.jpg) I am most often asked, “What do I need to kill nutsedge?” To answer this, I first ask about the site conditions. Is it very wet from poor drainage or excessive irrigation? Is there compacted soil or signs of stress from other plants? Most weeds are indicators of larger problems in the landscape. This doesn’t mean that if you fix the condition the weeds go away, but it will make controlling them easier. Here are a few weeds and what they might mean: - **Nutsedge** is an indicator of wet soil. Reduce the amount of water in that area—install a drainage system or adjust the sprinkler system, if applicable—and the sedge will find it harder to live in that environment. - **Moss** is an indication of acidic soil that may need an application of lime. It’s also a sign of excessive moisture. - **Sandbur **grows in dry soils. - **Plantain** grows in compacted soil. - **Chickweed **can indicate alkaline soil that needs an application of a soil acidifier like ammonium sulfate. Only a soil test will confirm the actual soil conditions and there will be some exceptions to the “rules,” but large populations of a weed can tell you something about your growing conditions and should clue you in to what your problems are. Pay attention to the weeds and what conditions they are growing in and it will help you improve the landscape using fewer chemicals. TAGS: [Chemicals](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/chemicals), [Soil Testing](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/soil-testing), [Weed Control](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/weed-control), [Turf](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/turf) ### Looking for More? ### Topics - [Ewing News (194)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/ewing-news) - [Irrigation (191)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation) - [News Release (180)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/news-release) - [Business Tips (134)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/business-tips) - [Turf (100)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/turf) - [Water Efficiency (96)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/water-efficiency) - [Smart Irrigation (85)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/smart-irrigation) - [Business (79)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/business) - [Landscape Maintenance (71)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/landscape-maintenance) - [Outdoor Living (69)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/outdoor-living) - [Landscape Lighting (61)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/landscape-lighting) - [Water Conservation (58)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/water-conservation) - [Athletic Fields (52)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/athletic-fields) - [Sports Fields (52)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/sports-fields) - [Golf (50)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/golf) - [Lawn Care (50)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/lawn-care) - [Hardscape (47)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/hardscape) - [Sustainable Solutions (46)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/sustainable-solutions) - [Ewing Education (45)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/ewing-education) - [Green Industry (41)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/green-industry) ## Related [ Managing Localized Dry Spot with Smarter Moisture Solutions ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/managing-localized-dry-spot-with-smarter-moisturesolutions) By [Kevin Lewis](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/kevin-lewis) On July 7, 2026 [ Managing Sports Fields with Smart Irrigation Technology ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/managing-sports-fields-with-smart-irrigation-technology) By [Ian Yarian](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ian-yarian) On July 2, 2026 [ Smart Irrigation Starts with the Controller ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/smart-irrigation-starts-with-the-controller) By [Greg Williams](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/greg-williams) On June 30, 2026 ## Related ## [How to Avoid Herbicide Mishaps That Can Cost You Your Business](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/how-to-avoid-herbicide-mishaps-that-can-cost-you-your-business) By [Kevin Lewis](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/kevin-lewis) On January 19, 2023 ## [What To Do When You Miss A Pre-Emergent Application](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-to-do-when-you-miss-pre-emergent-application) By [Andy Keeton](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/andy-keeton) On March 18, 2021 ## [Fall Weed Control Tips for Better Lawns Year-Round](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/fall-weed-control-tips-for-better-lawns-year-round) By [Ewing Outdoor Supply](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ewing-outdoor-supply) On September 3, 2019 ### Subscribe via Email Enter your email to get special offers, exclusive discounts, and more! 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