Controlling Hard-To-Kill Broadleaf Weeds: Tips for Taking on Button Buti
Broadleaf weeds are a common problem for home gardeners, lawn owners, and landscapers. These types of weeds can quickly take over and spread, choking out your desired plants and making your outdoor spaces look unkempt and uninviting. One of the most difficult broadleaf weeds to control is the button buti (Spermacoce verticillata).
Button buti is a perennial weed that grows low to the ground and produces clusters of tiny white flowers. It’s often found in lawns, pastures, and along roadsides and is difficult to control because it spreads by creeping stems that root at the nodes. Here are some tips for taking on this stubborn weed:
1. Understand its life cycle
Button buti is a perennial weed, meaning it lives for more than one growing season. Unlike annual weeds that grow, produce seeds, and die within a single year, button buti can persist for years, continually reseeding itself and spreading through its creeping stems. To control this weed, you need to understand its life cycle and plan your control efforts accordingly.
2. Use the right herbicide
To control button buti in your lawn or landscape, you’ll most likely need to use an herbicide. Look for a broadleaf herbicide that specifically lists button buti as a target weed. Some effective herbicides for controlling button buti include 2,4-D, dicamba, or a combination of the two.
3. Apply herbicide at the right time
The key to controlling button buti with an herbicide is to apply it at the right time of year. This weed is most susceptible to herbicides in the fall when it’s actively growing and still producing food reserves for winter. Apply herbicide in late summer or early fall when the weed is actively growing, but before the first frost.
4. Use a lawn spreader
To apply herbicide, you’ll need a lawn spreader. Make sure the spreader is properly calibrated to ensure an even application of herbicide. Follow the instructions on the herbicide label for the recommended application rate and timing.
5. Be patient
Even with the right herbicide and proper timing, button buti can be difficult to control. Be patient and persistent in your efforts. You may need to apply herbicide multiple times, spaced several weeks apart, to fully eradicate this weed.
In conclusion, controlling button buti can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and a bit of patience, you can take back your outdoor spaces from this weed. Always follow herbicide label instructions, and be sure to wear protective clothing and take precautions to avoid damage to desirable plants. With a little effort, you can achieve a lush, weed-free lawn and landscape.