Binomial Name: (Chenopodium album)
Lambs Quarters is a quick-growing broadleaf summer annual plant in the family "Amaranthaceae” and Genus “Chenopodium" It grows through all 50 states of the US from the sea level up to 6000 feet elevation. Lambs Quarters is also called Chenopodium, and it is a favorite food in India and Pakistan cooked mixed with Spinach to enhance food taste. It usually grows on disturbed and moisture-rich soils and is considered a rich source of protein and fiber for livestock. Lambs Quarters also houses several plant viruses and bacteria on vegetables and crops. Rough estimates prove it very competitive weed that could decrease up to 48% yield when not managed properly.
Origin and Distribution
Lamb's Quarters is native to Europe and East Asia. But, it has naturalized throughout the cultivated areas of the world. Lamb’s Quarter flourishes in the soil with rich organic matter and plenty of moisture. Its pervasiveness in crops, garden beds, turfgrasses, and landscapes makes it a top-notch competitor for gardens and landscapes throughout the US and its neighborhood. It also grows near waterways, distracted yards, and newly cleared forest lands in the country. Lamb's Quarters is also a giant resource hunter in warm-season turfgrasses due to the multiple applications of a higher amount of Nitrogen fertilizers.
Identifying Lamb’s Quarters
The upper sides of the first true leaves look bluish-green, while the lower sides of the leaves are purplish-red in seedlings, while mature plants may have greyish-green leaves. The leaves that bear floral structure are narrow and square with a cut at the leaf margins and a size equal to 1/6th of an inch. The egg-shaped leaves are arranged opposite each other. Leaf edges are smooth with the shining granules that later become white powdery surfaces. Lamb’s Quarters can grow erect and tall up to 5 feet based on the moisture and nutrients available from the soil. Blooming starts during mid-spring that ends in early autumn. Tiny green flowers appear in clusters at the tips of branches. No petals are observed around granular seeds but, a white powdery coating can be seen.
Lamb’s Quarters- Propagation and Lifecycle
Since Lamb’s Quarters is a summer annual and seed emergence takes place at 50°F. Mid-spring to late summer is often an ideal time for growth. The plants that emerge in spring can flower in summer as Lamb's Quarters takes only 6-weeks for the seed set. Infertile soils and less moisture triggers early maturity and early seed set. Lamb's Quarters is a self-pollinating plant. Otherwise, birds and pollinators also induce cross-pollination within the species. Propagation takes place only through seeds, and an individual plant produces between 70,000 to 125,000 seeds. Seeds could remain viable for several years and germinate on receiving favorable conditions.
Fun Facts About Lamb’s Quarters
Lamb’s Quarters- Prevention and Control
Cultural Control
The only cultural control for the turfgrasses is repeated Mowing throughout the growing season. Usually, the rich fertile and managed turfgrasses may allow Lamb's Quarters heavily sprout but, their flowering, seed production, and dissemination delays due to the fertility of the soil in such lawns. Mowing turfgrasses after 2 to 3 weeks clear the established stands of Lamb's Quarters, and its growth remains checked. For garden beds, a mulch will not only stop its germination but help to retain soil moisture.
Chemical Control
Control using Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Snapshot 2.5 Tg
Snapshot 2.5 is a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent Lamb's Quarters seed germination in the garden beds only. It doesn't control weeds that grow from the stolon or a rhizome. The gardeners may use a rotary spreader to spread Snapshot in the garden beds. It contains 2% Trufluralin and 0.5% Isoxaben which, are pre-emergent selective herbicides for controlling annual weeds. After application, Snapshot needs to irrigate your garden beds within 3-days. Never use on turfgrasses. However, the accidental application will only stress your turfgrasses.
- Snapshot Specialty Pre-Emergent Herbicide works around the clock for up to six to eight months to keep landscapes and container- and field-grown nursery ornamentals weed-free. It controls or suppresses more than 125 broadleaf weeds and annual grasses and can be used over the top of more than 635 labeled ornamentals.
One pack of Snapshot 2.5 can cover about 22000 square feet of garden area.
Barricade Pre-Emergent Weed Control
Barricade is a readymade formulation that contains 0.48% Prodiamine that stops germination Lamb’s Quarters and several other broadleaf weeds in turfgrasses. However, it will not kill existing weeds due to its unique mode of action. Barricade needs activation after spreading on the turfgrasses about 4 inches below the turf. Activation is possible through quick watering or half an inch of immediate rain. If you apply a Barricade film over the planting soil before seeding the lawns, it somehow could stress them depending on the climatic condition. Better to apply during early spring before the temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The Southern Zones favor its repeated application in autumn as well.
- Designed to prevent weeds; will not aid in eliminating existing weeds. Prevents grassy and broadleaf weeds, including crabgrass, poa annua, goosegrass, henbit, and more.
- Contains 0.48% of the active ingredient prodiamine for professional-grade weed control for early spring and fall applications
- Made with patented DG Technology (dispersible granule) ensures granules dissolve rapidly upon watering, moving weed control directly into the soil for maximum impact
One 18 pounds’ bag can treat between 5800 to 6000 square feet turf area.
Control using Post-Emergent Herbicides
Scotts-Turf Builder Weed Feed
Turf Builder contains 2,4-D and Mecoprop-P in 1.21% & 0.61%, respectively, besides having a fertilizer formulation ratio of NPK (28-0-3) which means about 4 pounds of Nitrogen and nearly half a pound of Potassium in a ready to use pack of 14.29 pounds. Performs excellently if the turf surfaces are already wet. Do prefer a morning dew or arrange light irrigation and apply afterward. Both active ingredients are tough on Lamb’s Quarters besides several other broadleaf weeds. The mode of action is again through foliage and root penetration. Under ideal conditions, results are visible after 3 to 4 days of application.
- Up to 2X more powerful dandelion and clover control (vs. previous formula)
- Clears out dandelions and clover—satisfaction guaranteed
- Weedgrip Technology grips the weeds you see—and the ones you don't
one Turf Builder pack covers almost 5000 square feet of the targeted area.
Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer
A brilliant mix of assorted broadleaf herbicides that target only actively growing weeds that compete with your turfgrass resources in the lawn. It contains Mecoprop-P (5.30%), 2,4-D (3.05%), and Dicamba (1.30%) in a ready-to-apply formulation. The gardeners only need to connect the available bottle with a garden hose, target, and push the trigger to kill Lamb's Quarters and prevailing broadleaf weeds. The gardeners can apply it on all types of grasses other than Floratam. The mode of action is direct foliage burning and roots penetration.
- Kills dandelions, clover and other broadleaf weeds
- Won’t harm the lawn – Guaranteed (When used as directed.)
- Kills 250+ listed weeds (See label for listed weeds.)
One 24-Ounce pack is enough for targeting a 16000 square feet area infested with Lamb’s Quarters.
Learn How to control and get rid of other weeds in our complete Yard Weeding Guide.