Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
The problemA taproot that can run a foot deep.
Why it comes backSnap the root and it regrows from whatever's left in the ground. Has to come out whole.
Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
The problemSpreads underground by rhizome, not by seed alone.
Why it comes backCutting the top does nothing — the network below keeps sending up new shoots. One of the toughest weeds in the county.
Nutsedge
Cyperus esculentus
The problemLooks like grass, isn't. Grows faster than everything around it.
Why it comes backForms tubers underground. Pull it carelessly and you leave the tubers behind to sprout again.
Crabgrass
Digitaria sanguinalis
The problemSprawls out flat and smothers bed edges.
Why it comes backA single plant drops thousands of seeds. Getting it out before it seeds is most of the battle.
Bindweed
Convolvulus arvensis
The problemVines up and strangles whatever it can reach.
Why it comes backRoots run several feet down and regenerate from fragments. Patience is the only way through it.
Japanese Stiltgrass
Microstegium vimineum
The problemCarpets shaded beds and woodland edges — everywhere in Sussex County.
Why it comes backShallow-rooted and easy to pull, but the seed bank in the soil lasts for years. Consistency beats it.
Creeping Charlie
Glechoma hederacea
The problemLow mat of scalloped leaves that spreads sideways fast.
Why it comes backRoots at every node along the stem. Miss one runner and it re-establishes from there.
Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
The problemInvasive. Crowds out everything else along bed edges and tree lines.
Why it comes backEach plant produces hundreds of seeds that stay viable for years. Pull before it flowers.
Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
The problemThick, fleshy stems that hold water and thrive in hot, dry beds.
Why it comes backBroken stems left on the soil can re-root themselves. It has to be removed from the bed, not just pulled.
Chickweed
Stellaria media
The problemDense low mat that shows up early in spring before anything else.
Why it comes backGoes to seed quickly and quietly. Catch it in the first visits of the season or it takes over.
Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
The problemSpiny, painful to handle, and spreads by creeping root.
Why it comes backRoot fragments left behind produce new plants. Gloves and patience — there's no shortcut.
Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
The problemThree leaflets, often climbing fences and tree bases. Common on Sussex County properties.
Why we flag itWe identify it during the walkthrough and handle it carefully — or leave it and tell you, so nobody gets surprised.
Not sure what's growing in your beds? We'll identify it during your free walkthrough.