How to Kill Chickweed

Common chickweed is a broadleaf annual weed that is found throughout the U.S. It tolerates close mowing and is most commonly found in the damp, shady spots in your lawn. 

Forming dense patches in your lawn, common chickweed is light green with egg-shaped leaves that are pointed at the tip. The root system is shallow. The flowers are small and white and usually occur in early spring or late autumn. 

Chickweed spreads by seeds that usually germinate in the late summer or early fall. The best time to control chickweed is in the fall or spring.

What To Do

• Control chickweed that's cropped up in hardscapes and landscape beds with Ortho® GroundClear® Super Weed & Grass Killer. When used as directed, this hard-hitting spray begins working upon contact, and is then absorbed deeply by the weed to kill it at its roots.
• Kill chickweed in the lawn with Ortho® Weed B Gon® Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer For Lawns Ready-To-Spray or Ortho® Weed B Gon® Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer For Lawns Concentrate. The formula kills tough weeds down to the root without harming your lawn (when used as directed).
• Fertilizing your lawn 2 to 4 times per year will provide the nutrients your lawn needs to grow thick and strong and help crowd out weeds like chickweed.
• Mowing at a height best for your lawn allows the grass to grow thick and develop a deep root system. What's more, if you use a mulching mower, the grass clippings left on the ground will recycle plant nutrients back into the soil.
• Your lawn will begin to wilt when water is needed. As much as possible take advantage of nature's sprinkler and rely on the rain to water your lawn. If using sprinklers, water lawns deeply and infrequently—1 inch of water per week is all that most lawns need.