Common plant problems in the Atlanta area
PESTS & PROBLEMS
Atlanta’s growing season provides plants with almost year around growth. Because of this long growing season pest populations can build to thresholds where plant damage can occur. The natural and man-manipulated environment in Atlanta can also cause stress and eventual decline in our landscapes and forests. The following is a list of some of the more common pests, cultural problems and environmental problems we may encounter year to year.

Fireweed

fireweed small.jpgThe annoying little green weed that has been popping up in your warm season turf fireweed1.jpg is fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium. This little weed shows up in our turf every so often. It's called fireweed because of it readily grows in areas recently scoured by fire. Its also commonly found along roadsides producing seeds that are dispersed into your lawn by the wind. It thrives with a very shallow root system and is resistant to pre and post emergent herbicides. We find that it will readily grow in turf where the thatch layer has begun to build up. Mowing along with your weed control applications will finally control this weed but if you have a lot of the weed, dethatching would also help reduce the problem.

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