Fall tends to be the season that brings about some of the most dramatic changes of the year. Everything from the leaves giving us a show, to the allergies that many of us suffer during their change. However, the cool weather also invites the growth of a very pollinator-friendly plant.

Aster weeds, when used right, can bring some very aesthetically pleasing sights to a lawn. Growing in small clusters and progressively expanding their size through small woody branches. Towards the reaching of maturity for the plant, it will begin to bloom small flowers about a centimeter in diameter. These flowers grow many small white petals and with a bright yellow center. As small as these flowers are, there will be many of them. Each cluster of aster is made up of numerous branches that split and spread like those of a small tree, but each one of these small branches can grow a flower.

These flowers don’t just look pleasing to our eyes but also the eyes of many of our favorite pollinators. Bees and butterflies being some of the workers. Each taking advantage of this last batch of pollen before the winter sets in.

Despite the benefit to our pollinator friends, these plants can be considered a very pesky weed in many of our turfs. It can be a sore sight to see such a bulging mess of small woody branches covered in small flowers in the middle of a pristine grass lawn. The fact is, it does not mix well with our popular Bermuda or St. Augustine lawns. In fact, it can leave unsightly patches of dead or damaged turf.

With aster being a weed, it grows much faster and is much quicker about using up resources around it than grass. It weakens the existing grass, making room for its own growth or inviting new clusters of it to take root. This weed is great for filling in back fields and promoting our wildlife. However, in large clusters, pollinators will always be around so it’s best not too keep them too close to play areas or high traffic lawns to avoid conflicts with our pollinator friends.

These weeds are best left out in empty fields or gardens with controlled growing surfaces for their flowers. In lawns they can easily become a handful and overwhelming to the new homeowners or people with busy schedules. It’s best to not take root at all.  In most cases, the best way to do that, is to prepare with a good pre-emergent or ensuring that your lawn is strong and healthy to help it choke out any invaders. Once established, it will try to ground itself with a sturdy root and quickly grow.

To prevent an invasion of weeds, contact Safe Earth Pest Control today. We have a treatment plan that fits your lawn type. 214-321-2847