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This perennial spreads by seeds and rooting stems. It forms a dense mat close to the ground and is often mistaken for a moss. It is very invasive and is a problem in close cut lawns and on the compost of new plants. Seed is spread by mowing and is also carried on the soles of shoes. Small white-green coloured flowers are produced from April to September.
The main way to keep weeds under control is constant vigilance, never allowing the weed to flower or seed and mulching.
Maintain a healthy lawn – scarifying, aerating, feeding and top-dressing in autumn will help, apply lawn sand in spring
Remove weeds by hand as soon as you see them
Avoid mowing the lawn too closely
Spray with a systemic weedkiller that is absorbed through the leaves of the plant, the active ingredient makes its way through the cells of the plant down to the root. It kills these first and then the foliage starts to die off. Treat in March before flowering
Use a nitrogen-rich fertiliser in spring