Colorado Springs Summer Weed Control: Stop Invasive Weeds Before They Spread

Weeds are the uninvited guests of every summer landscape in Colorado Springs. As the temperatures rise and afternoon thunderstorms roll in, conditions become perfect for invasive weeds to take over gardens, lawns, and natural areas. Not only are weeds unsightly, but they also compete with your desirable plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. For homeowners looking to maintain a healthy, beautiful yard during the dry Colorado summers, understanding effective summer weed control is essential.

If you’re a Colorado Springs homeowner wanting to maintain your idyllic landscape, you might be wondering what some of the most common Colorado Springs weeds are, the problems they cause, and the best strategies for keeping them under control during the growing season. Whether you’re a hands-on gardener or prefer to leave it to the professionals, here are actionable tips that can help protect your landscape from unwanted invaders.

Common Summer Weeds in Colorado Springs

Here are some of the most common and problematic weeds to watch out for this summer:

Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis): Often mistaken for morning glory, bindweed has deep roots and a vining habit that allows it to choke out other plants. It is incredibly difficult to remove once established.
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense): A noxious weed with deep, spreading roots and sharp spines. It quickly forms dense colonies and can dominate a landscape.
Kochia (Kochia scoparia): A fast-growing annual that can become woody if left unchecked. Its seeds are wind-dispersed, allowing it to spread quickly.
Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens): Another aggressive spreader with deep roots and a bitter taste that deters grazing animals.
Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris): Known for its sharp, spiny seed pods that can puncture tires, shoes, and pet paws.
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum): A highly flammable annual grass that increases wildfire risk and competes with native plants.

For a full list of Colorado’s noxious weeds and their classifications, you can check out the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s noxious weed list.

Summer: The Most Important Time to Control Weeds

While weeds can be a nuisance year-round, summer is when they grow most aggressively. Hot temperatures and periodic rains can cause weeds to germinate and spread rapidly, especially in unmaintained or overwatered areas.

Unchecked weed growth can:

Outcompete turf and ornamentals for resources
Spread to neighboring yards and open spaces
Increase fire risk (especially from cheatgrass)
Harbor pests and diseases
Reduce curb appeal and property value

Proactive summer weed control in Colorado is not just about aesthetics—it’s about protecting your investment in your landscape and doing your part to maintain healthy ecosystems.

Best Practices for Summer Weed Control in Colorado

Controlling weeds in Colorado Springs during summer requires a combination of preventative strategies, manual removal, and targeted treatments. Before we get down to the specifics, here’s a list of what works best for general weed control:

1. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

We can’t stress enough how important mulching is for your garden. Mulching your garden beds is one of the most effective and natural ways to control weeds. A 2-4 inch layer of mulch blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds and helps retain soil moisture. Use organic mulch such as bark, shredded wood, or even pine needles. For areas with persistent weed problems, consider adding a layer of landscape fabric underneath your mulch.

2. Maintain Healthy Turf

A thick, healthy lawn is your best defense against summer weeds. Keep your lawn well-watered (but not overwatered), mow to the correct height (generally 2.5 to 3 inches), and fertilize appropriately based on soil tests. Avoid scalping the lawn during mowing, as this weakens turf and opens the door for weed invasion.

3. Hand Pulling and Digging

For small infestations or garden beds, manual removal is effective, especially when the soil is moist. Be sure to remove the entire root system, especially with perennial weeds like bindweed or thistle. Use weeding tools for deeper root systems and keep up with regular inspections to catch new weeds before they set seed.

4. Use Targeted Herbicides

When used responsibly, herbicides can be an effective part of your weed control strategy. Choose selective herbicides that target broadleaf weeds while sparing your lawn grass. Apply during calm, dry days to avoid drift, and always follow label instructions. For tougher invaders like Canada thistle or Russian knapweed, systemic herbicides that travel down to the root system may be necessary.

5. Water Wisely

Overwatering encourages weed growth and wastes a precious resource during dry Colorado summers. Use drip irrigation systems or smart irrigation controllers that provide just the right amount of water directly to plant roots.

Smart irrigation systems can help you minimize weed-friendly conditions while keeping your desired plants healthy.

6. Plant Drought-Resistant Groundcovers

Drought-tolerant groundcovers not only reduce your need to water, but they also compete with weeds for space and sunlight. Check out our top groundcover recommendations for low-maintenance options that thrive in Colorado Springs.

Long-Term Weed Prevention Strategies

Beyond day-to-day maintenance, a long-term weed control plan should include:

Soil Health Management: Healthy soils support vigorous plants that can outcompete weeds. Test your soil every few years and amend as needed.
Landscape Design: Incorporate weed-resistant design features such as hardscaping, densely planted beds, and native plants.
Seasonal Cleanups: Remove dead plant material and weeds in spring and fall to reduce overwintering seeds and pests.
Professional Landscape Maintenance: Regular professional maintenance can help identify problem areas before they get out of control.

How to Control Specific Colorado Springs Weeds

Now that you know which weeds to look out for, here are some weed-specific tips for removing and managing them before they spread:

Bindweed

Removal: Regular hand-pulling can help weaken the root system over time, but complete eradication is difficult without persistent effort. Use a garden fork or weeding knife to extract as much root as possible.
Control: Apply a systemic herbicide early in the season when the plant is actively growing. Avoid tilling, which can break roots into fragments that regrow.
Prevention: Use dense groundcovers or mulch to shade the soil and prevent new germination.

Canada Thistle

Removal: Digging out thistle is challenging due to its deep roots. Repeated mowing or cutting can exhaust the plant’s energy reserves over time.
Control: Spot-treat with selective broadleaf herbicides in late spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing but not yet flowering.
Prevention: Maintain thick turf and cover bare spots in your landscape to prevent colonization.

Kochia

Removal: Young kochia plants can be pulled by hand, especially after rain. Gloves are recommended, as the plant may cause skin irritation.
Control: Pre-emergent herbicides in early spring can prevent germination. Post-emergent herbicides work best when plants are under 4 inches tall.
Prevention: Reduce soil disturbance and keep your lawn and garden beds well-maintained.

Russian Knapweed

Removal: Manual removal is rarely effective due to deep rhizomes. Cut down growth frequently to limit energy storage.
Control: Use a systemic herbicide labeled for knapweed in late summer or fall for best results.
Prevention: Avoid overwatering and improve soil health with native or drought-tolerant competitive plants.

Puncturevine

Removal: Pull up before seed pods develop. Dispose of the plants carefully, as the seeds can continue to spread pain and damage.
Control: Use pre-emergents in early spring. Spot-spray post-emergent herbicides on young plants.
Prevention: Keep bare soil covered, especially in driveways, sidewalks, or rocky areas.

Cheatgrass

Removal: Hand-pulling is effective when plants are young. Mow before it seeds to limit spread.
Control: Pre-emergent herbicides in late winter or early spring are most effective. Fire-resistant landscaping can also reduce cheatgrass fuel.
Prevention: Replace cheatgrass-prone areas with low-water native grasses or groundcovers.

From Weedy to Wonderful: Take Back Your Yard

Summer in Colorado should be a time to enjoy your outdoor space, not battle with unwanted invaders. Recognizing the common weeds in Colorado Springs and using a combination of smart landscaping practices can help you take control of your yard and keep it looking its best.

Ready to take your landscape from weedy to wonderful? Fredell Enterprises is here to help you make it happen.