Daisies are one of the most cheerful flowers imaginable. Their bright white petals and yellow centers seem to radiate happiness. The opinion between gardeners on daisies remains divided – some love them for their carefree appearance while others view them as a weed that is difficult to control.
Despite their beautiful and dainty appearance, daisies are one of the most resilient flowers. This may be a good thing for those who want to keep daisies in their garden, but, for those who want to get rid of them, this can be frustrating.
Facts About Daisy Flowers
Did you know that lawn daisies are not really a daisy at all? They are one of the most recognized lawn weeds in North America and Europe. These flowers (or weeds) are commonly seen almost everywhere. This is because they thrive no matter what soil condition there is, whether the ground is too sandy or too clay-like.
Aside from their ability to thrive even in poor soil conditions, daisies also have the ability to rapidly reproduce, which is why they are considered a weed by some gardeners.
Is it a flower or a weed? Technically speaking, daisies are classified as flowers. However, their invasive and fast-growth nature has resulted in them being considered weeds by some gardeners.
The Best Tips and Tricks for Controlling Daisies
Daisies are very difficult to control because they have deep taproots that enable them to store water and nutrients. This means that they can survive even in drought conditions. Moreover, their seeds can remain dormant for years and will only germinate when the conditions are right.
So, what can you do to control daisies in your garden? Here are some tips and tricks:
Dig Them Out
If you’ve seen only a few of them appear on your lawn, it may not be too late, and digging them out by hand may be the best solution. This is a tedious task, but it will be worth it if you’re able to get all the daisies out before they have a chance to spread and reproduce.
Make sure that you take out their roots from the soil as well. Otherwise, they will just grow back.
Spot Treat with a Herbicide Spray
If you don’t want to go through all the trouble of digging daisies from your lawn, you can spot-treat them with a herbicide spray. You need to be careful when using this method, however, as you don’t want to accidentally kill other plants in your garden.
The best time to use this method is early in the morning or late in the evening when there is little wind. This will minimize the chances of the herbicide being blown away by the wind and damaging other plants.
Selective Weed Killer
There are also herbicides that are specifically designed to kill lawn weeds like daisies without harming the grass. If daisies are spreading across your lawn like wildfire, this may be the best solution for you.
Most weed killers come in concentrated forms. This means you have to carefully dilute in water before using it on your lawn. Follow the instructions carefully. Using too much of the selective weed killer concentrate can damage your grass, and using too little will not be effective in killing the daisies.
This method is also best used as a preventive measure to control daisies before they have a chance to spread and take over your lawn.
Don’t Mow Them
If you see daisies appearing on your lawn, resist the urge to mow them down. This will only make them spread their seeds and reproduce even more. Daisy flowers contain a lot of seeds, and each time you mow them, you are effectively spreading the seeds around, which will only result in more daisies growing on your lawn.
Preventative Measures
Once you’ve controlled the infestation, knowing how you can keep them away from your lawn in the first place is important. Here are some things you can do to ensure that daisies won’t infiltrate your lawn once more:
Mow Regularly
Daisies are often a result of lawns that are not mowed regularly. Unkept lawns may appear wild and unkempt, giving room for daisies to grow. Alternatively, if you mow your lawn regularly, the grass blades will grow dense, leaving no room for daisies to take seed.
Fertilize Your Lawn
A well-fertilized lawn will also be less inviting for daisies. Daisies prefer lawns that are nutrient-poor because they can easily outcompete the grass for nutrients. Fertilizing your lawn regularly will help to keep the grass healthy and strong, making it more difficult for daisies to take over.
Water Deeply but Infrequently
Daisies have deep taproots that enable them to store a lot of water. This means that they can survive even in drought conditions. To prevent daisies from taking over your lawn, make sure that you water deeply but infrequently. Deep watering will encourage the grass roots to grow deep as well.
When they do, these grasses would be able to access water even during dry periods, making them less likely to succumb to drought and die off. This will make your lawn less inviting for daisies.
Aerate the Soil
Soil compaction is another problem that can make your lawn more susceptible to daisies. When the soil is compacted, it prevents air and water from penetrating the roots of the grass. This makes the grass more likely to die off, leaving room for daisies to take over.
To prevent this from happening, make sure that you aerate your lawn at least once a year. This will help to loosen up the soil and make it more hospitable for grass growth.
Daisies in Grass: Final Thoughts
Daisies, no matter how innocent they look, can quickly take over your lawn and choke out the grass if left unchecked. While some gardeners prefer to let them grow and add a touch of whimsy to the lawn, others find them to be nothing but pesky weeds.
If you’re in the latter camp, it’s important to know how to control and prevent daisies from growing in your grass. Following the tips and tricks outlined in this article can keep your lawn looking pristine and free of daisies.
Related article: Little White Flowers in Grass