A grass seed germinates and emerges as one single leaf. The leaf blades alternate on each side of the stem, are much longer than they are wide and have parallel veins. A weed's life cycle has great impact on the selection and success of a given control procedure, so it is important to learn the life cycle characteristics of a weed when you first learn its identity. Annual weeds germinate from seeds, grow, flower, produce seeds and die in 12 months or less. Annual weeds are further categorized by the season in which they germinate and flourish.
Winter annuals sprout in the fall, thrive during the winter and die in late spring or early summer.
Summer or warm-season grasses such as crabgrass and goosegrass sprout in the spring and thrive in summer and early fall. Perennial weeds are weeds that live more than two years. Perennial weeds are the most difficult to control because of their great reproductive potential and persistence. Proper identification of weeds targeted for control is necessary in order to select effective control measures, whether cultural or chemical. Further assistance with weed identification is available from any Clemson Extension office.