A member of the mustard family, Hairy Bittercress is usually the first weed to appear in the lawn in late winter and early spring. They spread quickly in the lawn, but they are very easy to pull or treat (and eat!).
Yep, this is a weed you can eat… But don’t be fooled by the name — Hairy Bittercress has a flavor that’s mild and peppery, not bitter.
However, if you’re not interested in adding it to your salads (or into manual weeding), the Gurus here at The Gardener’s Center recommend using Captain Jack’s Lawnweed Brew from Bonide before these weeds flower and set seed.
Derived from Iron, Captain Jack’s Lawnweed Brew offers selective control of weeds, disease, moss, algae, and lichens in lawns. The active ingredient is derived from naturally-occuring iron.
It kills many common weeds such as hairy bittercress, dandelion, clover, moss, narrow-leaved plantain, chickweed, and thistle. It works quickly, as dying weeds will be seen within hours of application.
- Safe Alternative: People and pets can enter the treated area when spray dries
- Derived From Iron: Specifically formulated with Iron (Fe), a naturally-o
- Effective: Kills weeds down to the root
- Safe For Grass: Designed to kill a variety of weeds and diseases, not lawn grasses.
- Quick Results: Injury to weeds can be noticed within hours of application.
- Good for Cool-weather Application: Works in cool weather down to 50 degrees
But, if you’re looking to make the most of your Hairy Bittercress, skip the treatment, rinse it off and put it on a sandwich or in a salad. The entire plant is edible, including the blooms. Its peppery flavor has many uses in the kitchen. Bon appetit!