11 Most Common Weeds

1024px-Weeds_in_Waterloo,_OntarioWhat is a weed? It’s a plant that you don’t want in your yard. That’s a pretty loose definition, which means weeds can encompass anything ranging from undesirable types of grass and moss to flowers. Here’s what you need to know to identify common weeds and keep them off of your turf.

Dandelion

Appearing in the spring and fall, their bright, round yellow flowers and puff ball-like seed stage are easy to identify. Dandelions grow long taproots: if you dig these up by hand, you’ll need to remove at least two inches of this root to keep the plant from growing back. Post-emergent herbicides work well on these plants, especially mature ones in the fall, as the herbicide will be able to penetrate the entire root. If you’re developing your lawn, these should fade away as the grass gets thicker, blocking seeds from the soil.

Crabgrass

What’s wrong with grass growing with grass? Crabgrass grows in large, round clumps that stand out from the rest of your lawn. Overwatering, underwatering, and mowing the grass too short can let crabgrass take hold in your lawn. Pre-emergent herbicides work best, but only if applied at just the right time: contact your local extension office to find out when a treatment will be most effective.

Creeping Charlie/Ground Ivy

Whatever you call it, the nodules of this plant grow long stems, each topped by a single leaf. It grows well in shaded, moist areas with poor soil quality but can sometimes appear in sunny areas. Post-emergent herbicides can kill it off, but it may take several treatments. To keep it at bay, plant grass in the area before it has a chance to grow back.

White Clover/Dutch Clover

This clover with its round white flowers is a popular addition to flower gardens and arrangements. At one time it was planted with other grasses in lawns, but a shift in fashion to more uniform turf has turned this plant into a weed. It likes to grow in areas with poor soil quality, and particularly in soil with low nitrogen levels; correcting soil nutrients can usually halt its growth. Broadleaf herbicide treatment is effective, but it may take several applications in the spring and fall to eradicate it.

Chickweed

With thin stems covered in tiny leaves, chickweed grows in areas with moist soil, shade and good soil. It usually pops up in areas with poor grass coverage and poor drainage. This plant can be pulled out of the soil easily, which stops it from spreading. If you have a large area covered in this weed, crush the stems and apply nitrogen, which will be absorbed directly into the plants, killing them. If this weed is a regular problem, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring and fall.

Annual Bluegrass

This blue-green grass appears in late summer, growing in clumps that are much thinner than crabgrass, and can even blend in to fescue lawns. It likes to sprout in poorly-drained soil, overwatered areas, and scalped soil, sprouting seeds on its tips when it germinates. A pre-emergent herbicide can prevent germination, but if this grass is already present, bag your clippings to prevent the seeds from spreading.

Broadleaf Plantain

This perennial has wide leaves and long stems covered in seeds. It tends to appear in areas with thin grass coverage and compacted soil, and thrives in droughts and overwatered areas. Hand-pulling plants and post-emergent broadleaf herbicides work best to remove these plants, while aerating can keep them from coming back.

Violet

While prized by flower growers, this turf nuisance appears in shaded areas with thin coverage. Despite the name, the flower’s pedals can be white, purple, or any shade of lavender in between the two extremes. Steady application of a post-emergent broadleaf herbicide can keep this plant at bay.

Henbit

While other weeds on this list thrive in less than ideal conditions, this plant with its tall, square stems covered in small leaves and small purple or pink flowers grows best in the same conditions as desirable grasses. Post-emergent herbicides can get rid of these plants, while a fall application of pre-emergent herbicide can keep new seeds from taking root.

Wild Onion and Garlic

While different plants, they’re both recognized by their long, thin shoots. Garlic plants have hollow stems, while onion stems are solid. Keeping the lawn mowed, even when dormant, can reduce growth. Some selective broadleaf herbicides on the market are designed specifically for these plants; apply these chemicals when the stems are at least two inches tall.

Keep Your Honda Lawn Equipment Ready to Fend Off Weeds

www.hondalawnparts.com is a certified Honda small engine equipment dealer carrying everything you need for your Honda equipment and small engines. We can ship the parts ranging from mower blades to cylinder heads anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.

How to Order Genuine Honda Parts Online

17f3e1b4bf5ce7e2822f36d65bfb8db4xwww.hondalawnparts.com is a certified Honda Small Engine Equipment dealer. That means we carry all the OEM parts you need to maintain Honda equipment including generators, water pumps, and lawn care equipment as well as Honda engines found in a wide range ofthird-partyy equipment. How do you get the right parts for your Honda? Here’s what you need to know from identifying your model to finding compatible parts on our site.

Finding Identifying Information for Your Honda

To get the right part, you first need to know what you’re ordering the part for. Honda sells complete equipment as well as engines found in a wide range of industrial, agricultural, and lawn care equipment. For this reason, parts are divided into equipment and engine categories, even on Honda-built equipment, with model numbers and serial numbers issued for both categories.

On equipment, the model and serial number are usually printed together on a tag. Here’s where you find this information:

  • Generator – On the base of the frame, on the bottom of the case, or near the handle
  • String trimmer – On the shaft, either next to the support handle or on the bottom directly ahead of the engine
  • Walk behind mowers – On the deck behind the engine. Older mowers separate this information into two tags
  • Riding mowers, tractors and tillers – The model number is on the hood or the frame cover next to the seat. The serial number is on the side or rear of the frame
  • Single stage snowblowers – On the rear of the frame or on the top of the housing
  • Two stage snowblowers – The model number is on the side of the auger housing, while the serial number is on the rear of the frame
  • Pumps – On the side of the motor. Some pumps have a second frame or pump tag located on the pump housing
  • Power carriers – On the rear of the frame, just behind the bucket

On engines, the model number is on a large sticker on the engine. Engine model names always start with the letter “G.” The serial number is stamped on the side of the engine. It will always be 5 letters followed by a 7 digit number. String trimmers have this information printed on a small tag on the back of the engine cover.

Still can’t find the serial and model number? Check out our “Honda Parts By Series” page to see photos and diagrams showing where the labels are located.

Finding Parts

Once you know your model and serial number, finding the parts you want is easy. Start by selecting between one of the options on the left side of our homepage: Honda Engine Parts, Honda Parts by Series, or Honda Equip Accessories. If you hover over “Parts by Series” you’ll see a few popular options, but don’t worry if you don’t see your model listed: just click on the link, and you’ll be able to search our entire catalog.

From there, just select your model type, model number, and component category using the drop-down menus. This will bring you to a page with an exploded parts diagram and parts descriptions so you can identify the parts you need and add them to your cart.

If you need a common maintenance item and know the part number, we also have the Honda Popular Parts section to quickly find what you want.

I Can’t Find My Honda’s Information. Now What?

Our site includes factory parts diagrams and lets you browse models based on their equipment category. By narrowing down the possibilities and comparing the diagrams with your equipment, you should be able to figure out what you own and what part you need.

I Don’t See a Listing for My Walk-Behind Mower

For some reason, Honda adds a “K” between the 8th and 9th digits to their model numbers in their parts information. That means if the tag says you have an HR123-567890 model, it will be listed in the catalog as an HR123-567K890.

Ordering Made Easy

Individuals looking for genuine Honda parts just have to type in their info and our site will show all of the relevant parts. From there it’s easy to click each part, view a diagram, and add only what you need to the cart. HondaLawnParts.com is a one-stop shop for anyone who needs quality OEM parts.

Honda GS 190 Maintenance Guide

GS190.3The GS 190 may be small, but with features like a cast iron cylinder liner, it can deliver the reliability you expect from a commercial-grade engine. Whether your GS is powering a tiller, pressure washer, water pump, or a piece of farm equipment, this guide will help you keep your engine running reliably.

Maintenance Schedule

Honda recommends performing the following services:

  • Before each use – Check air filter and oil level.
  • First month or 5 hours of operation – Change the oil.
  • Every three months or 25 hours – Clean the air filter.
  • Every 6 months or 50 hours – Change the oil.
  • Every year or 100 hours – Check the spark plug and (if equipped) the spark arrester.
  • Every two years or 200 hours: Replace the air filter and spark plug.

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Honda GS 190 Operation and Troubleshooting

gs190Bought a new piece of equipment powered by a Honda GS 190? Here’s what you need to know to get it running and address any problems along the way.

Before Starting

  1. Make sure there’s fuel inside the fuel tank.
  2. Check the oil level. Remove the dipstick from the filler cap, wipe off any oil, and reinsert it without screwing it back into the engine. The oil should come up above the bottom mark on the stick.
  3. Inspect the air filter. To get to it, open up the air cleaner housing by pushing in the tabs on the side of the cover.
  4. Check the equipment for fluid leaks, loose bolts, and other potential issues.

Lever Locations

Honda makes several versions of this engine with different ways of making adjustments to the fuel, air, and ignition. All models have a choke, but the other levers may be missing depending on the version you own. Continue reading