Lambs Quarters

Pest Profile: Lamb’s Quarters

Lamb’s Quarters are annual broadleaf weeds commonly found throughout Canada and the U.S. Often one of the first to emerge in the spring, this summer annual is highly competitive and produces an average of 72,000 seeds per plant, making early control essential.
Pest Profile
11 October, 2021
6min read
Lambs Quarters

TYPE

  • Annual
  • Broadleaf

IDENTIFICATION

The stems are erect, 24 – 35 inches high, smooth and longitudinally grooved. They are often red or light green striped. The leaves are alternate, variable in shape, 1 – 3 inches long, stalked, coarsely toothed and covered with white mealy particles, especially on the lower surface. The flowers are small and green, and they are present in the leaf axils and at the top of the stems.

CONTROL TIPS

  • Late seeding can provide some control because the weed tends to germinate early in the season and its seedlings can be killed through soil preparation or with a burn-off herbicide prior to seeding.
  • Plant to narrow rows and with higher seeding rates to increase crop competition.
  • Because the plant's seeds persist in the soil, removing escapes before seed set is useful for long-term management.

REGISTERED HERBICIDES

Please read each label to determine which herbicide is appropriate for the crop affected.

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