What Are duttyweeds?
The term “duttyweeds” is slang but packs a lot of meaning. It refers to undesirable, scrappy plants that take over cultivation space, crowding out crops, grass, and even landscape ornamentals. These weeds are often found in tropical and subtropical regions. Think nutgrass, purslane, pigweed, or even creeping vines like bindweed and morning glory. They thrive where soil is disturbed and don’t need much to flourish—just a little sun, a bit of rain, and a place to root.
Not all weeds earn the “dutty” tag. These are the tough ones. The ones you pull up Monday and see again Wednesday. Some have extensive root systems, others drop seeds the moment you touch them. They gum up your lawn mower, choke young plants, and turn clean rows into chaotic messes.
Why Weeds Like These Matter
It’s easy to brush weeds off as just part of life, but if you’re serious about growing anything, whether it’s food or ornamental plants, you’ve got to get serious about weed control. Duttyweeds sap nutrients from the soil, block sunlight, and compete for water. Over time, they wear down your valuable plants, make your rows look messy, and steal your peace of mind.
More than just appearance and health, they can affect your wallet. Yields go down, pest issues go up, and if you’re in a region where labor is limited or expensive, keeping ahead of them becomes a fulltime job.
Common Types of duttyweeds
Let’s name names. While the list varies by location, certain types of duttyweeds show up often:
Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus): Deep rooted, spreads through underground tubers. Very hard to kill without specialized approaches. Spotted Spurge: Grows close to the ground, releases seeds fast. Tiny but invasive. Pigweed (Amaranthus spp.): Gets tall quick, drops hundreds of seeds, becomes woody and stubborn. Bindweed: Vines that tangle around plants and fences, hard to pull without breaking the root.
Sometimes native plants will turn rogue, especially in disturbed or neglected soil. Rainy seasons wake up the seed bank, and by the time you notice, it’s too late.
Strategies to Fight Back
Now that we know the enemy, let’s talk tactics. You can’t fully get rid of duttyweeds, but you can control and reduce them.
1. Mulch, and Then Mulch Again
Mulching blocks sunlight and keeps weed seeds from sprouting. Organic mulches add nutrients over time, while black plastic or landscape fabric creates an immediate physical barrier. Just make sure it’s thick enough and reapplied when needed.
2. Stay on Schedule
One of the worst mistakes is letting weeds get ahead. Set a routine. Every week do a sweep of your space and remove visible invaders. Short, regular sessions beat long, backbreaking ones.
3. Know When to Pull
There’s a best time to handpull weeds: right after a rain. Damp soil loosens roots and makes the job easier. Try to remove the full root system, especially for weeds like nutgrass and dandelion.
4. Consider Targeted Herbicides
We’re not talking blanket spraying here. Smart use of herbicides—spot treating or applying early season preemergents—can provide a strong layer of defense. Always read labels, stick to instructions, and avoid overspray.
5. Crowd Them Out
Make the space hostile for duttyweeds. Plant ground covers. Use dense crop spacing. The less open soil, the fewer opportunities for weed takeover.
Things to Avoid
While you’re focusing on control, steer clear of these common mistakes:
Tilling too often: It may look clean afterward, but you’re flipping buried weed seeds to the surface, inviting trouble. Letting them flower: Once weeds set seed, you’re in for the long haul. Always remove before flowers open or seed heads dry. Ignoring the edges: Weeds love borders. Fence lines, walkways, and shade zones are prime real estate. Always check those spots.
LongTerm Thinking
Dealing with duttyweeds isn’t a weekend project—it’s ongoing maintenance. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s balance. With consistent effort, you can keep the upper hand. Over time, a healthy soil ecosystem with the right cover crops and careful planning stops weeds from dominating.
Additionally, compost wisely. Never add flowering or seeding weeds to your compost unless it gets hot enough to kill seeds (around 130–150°F consistently). Otherwise, you’ll just be recycling them into your garden.
Final Thoughts
Duttyweeds are bold, persistent, and always looking for a crack in your garden armor. But with a little strategy, consistency, and respect for how tough they actually are, they can be managed. Whether you’re cultivating for food, beautifying your yard, or just trying to keep things neat, acknowledging the power of these plants is the first step to handling them.
Don’t underestimate them, and don’t ignore them—because once they settle in, they’re not going anywhere without a fight.
