Let's Talk Lawn Weeds...

Clover, Dandelions, Quackgrass and Water Grass

Maintaining a thick, green lawn in Central Oregon is very do able. With high-altitude sunshine, sandy porous soils, cool high-desert nights, and low annual rainfall, turfgrass does require management. When turf becomes stressed or sparse, opportunistic weeds can move in.

Primary Lawn Weeds to Target

This list is not inclusive of all the lawn weeds in our area.

Just some of the most common.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

• Identification: Bright yellow blossoms atop hollow stems that turn into white, puffy seed heads. They feature a long, stubborn taproot.

• Why it thrives: The deep taproot allows dandelions to pull water from deep beneath Central Oregon’s dry, sandy topsoil.

• What we do… Hand-pull in spring when the soil is damp, ensuring you remove the entire taproot.  We also use and sell a few types of sprays. (Always read and follow the label.)

• White Clover (Trifolium repens)

• Identification: Low-growing patches with three-part leaflets and small white-to-pink globe-shaped flowers.

• Why it thrives: Clover fixes its own nitrogen from the air, allowing it to easily get started.

• What we do…Keeping your lawn properly fertilized helps turfgrass outgrow clover. We use McPheeters Yellow label Fertilizer. We also use a selective broadleaf weed control. Spray as needed. ALWAYS USE ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.

Quackgrass (Elymus repens)

• Identification: An aggressive, grassy weed with rough, blue-green blades and long, creeping underground rhizomes (roots) that form tough mats.

• Why it thrives: Very hardy in cold high-desert winters and can easily spreads through root fragments.

• Control: Note: Standard broadleaf weed killers will not work on quackgrass. Spot-treatment with a non-selective herbicide (or hand-digging deep rhizomes) maybe necessary.

Water Grass /Barn Yard Grass

    This grass is often brought in by canal irrigation water.  We control by pulling or digging up the grass before it reseeds.

High-Desert Soil Health:  We use McPheeters Brand Fertilizer

The best long-term defense against weed invasion is a thick, well-fed lawn that shades out weed seeds. Because Central Oregon soils are volcanic, sandy, and naturally low in calcium and sulfur, standard national fertilizer blends often underperform.

Using McPheeters Brand Fertilizer—specially formulated by local sod farmer Butch McPheeter of McPheeters Turf in Culver, OR—ensures your lawn gets nutrients matched to high-desert soil profile needs. 

(Note: McPheeters formulations include added calcium and sulfur.)

Year-Round Weed Prevention Strategy

1. Mow High (2.5–3 Inches): Taller grass blades shade the soil surface, preventing dandelion and clover seeds from getting the light they need to germinate.

2. Deep, Infrequent Watering: Apply 1 inch of water 2–3 times per week rather than daily shallow waterings. Deep irrigation strengthens grass roots while drying out shallow weed roots.     “WATER LIKE A FARMER”

   
   

3. Core Aeration: Compacted, rocky soils favor weeds like dandelion. Aerating in spring or fall helps water and McPheeters nutrients reach deep grass roots.

4. Reseed Bare Spots: Whenever quackgrass or heavy weed patches are dug out, overseed or we can help with fresh turf to fill the gap before new weeds move in.