Preventing Roadside Aster

The weed is roadside aster. Wiry devil with fine foliage all summer, then these blooms in the fall. How it gets there: seed from weedy lots in the neighborhood; seeds from other places in your own yard. The cure: take better care of your lawn. This weed will be the first to disappear when you start watering properly (I do respect our water curtailments), feeding regularly (see my Notes, above on this page) and mowing at the recommended height on a regular basis (also, see my Notes on this page). You could also apply broadleafed weedkiller (2,4-D) during the summer, before it starts blooming. As for this year’s crop: hand-pulling is almost impossible. Use a sharp hoe to sever the taproot – much easier and a lot quicker. And to those who say “I actually think it’s kinda pretty,” people who are trying to maintain attractive lawns won’t agree with you at all. To them (us), this weed is a bit like somebody throwing trash all over our yards.