Daisy
Daisy, a common perennial weed needs little introduction and is easily recognisable by its small white flowers with a yellow centre. The leaves are smooth sometimes glossy, oval shaped with finely scalloped edges. Whilst the leaves are usually 1-3cm long they can grow much larger in infrequently maintained turf.
An interesting fact about daisies is that the flowers close at night or on gloomy days reopening when exposed to sun light. They typically bloom between March and October.
In what conditions do they thrive?
Daisies thrive in all soil types but enjoy compacted ground where turf is closely mown. They are perfectly happy under frequent mowing regimes.
What are the effects on turf?
Daisies form a tight matt of rosettes; they can spread quickly through seed and underground runners (rhizomes) outcompeting stressed closely mown turf.
Management
Cultural
🌼 Encourage a dense, healthy grass sward through a proper maintenance regime. This prevents the weeds from invading bare ground.
🌼 Consider increasing your height of cut if it is not within the recommended guidelines for football. (see mowing learning card) Daisies thrive in closely mown turf.
🌼 Daisies enjoy compacted soils so a programme of regular surface aeration and appropriately timed deep spiking will help.
🌼 Daisies can be removed by hand if only in localised clumps using a small implement.
Chemical
🌼 Spot treatment can be effective if there is a limited population.
🌼 Where populations are more widespread daisies will be controlled through application of broad-spectrum selective herbicide when growing. (Do not apply under drought conditions, application will not be effective and may damage the grass sward)
🌼 Whilst one application is normally sufficient a repeat application may be necessary in the same growing season although adequate time must be left between applications.
🌼 Selective herbicides should only ever be applied by a fully qualified professional with the appropriate equipment and paperwork.
🌼 Always try and minimise use of chemicals wear possible. Seek guidance from BASIS certificated advisors and use contractors abiding by The Amenity Standard scheme.