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Gwinnett County
UGA Extension Office

Turf & Landscape Diagnostics

Weeds can be major pests of home lawns. Due to differences in color, leaf size, shape and growth habit, weeds detract from the natural beauty of desirable turfgrasses. Additionally, weeds compete with turfgrasses for sunlight, soil moisture, nutrients and space. Many weeds can quickly become the dominant species in a lawn.

Submitting Samples by Photos

Our office offers diagnostic services to help with a wide variety of gardens for both commercial and individual owners. Because we can't go out to inspect all properties, please send us photos of the problems along with your questions to make troubleshooting a solution easier. A few pictures and a call to our agent can help you take back your lawn to a beautiful landscape.

When you submit photos remember to:

  • Lawns: make sure the surroundings are in the picture and light is adequate to show what the lawn looks like in an "overall" picture. Also, take close-up pictures of the lawn sample and include how long you have noticed the problem, and what kind of lawn it is (bermuda, zoysia, fescue).
  • Plants: include information such as if it flowers, are the stems round or square, shape of the leaves and any berries or fruit noticed.
  • Weeds: photograph the entire weed, the surroundings, and the roots and leaves.

Photos should be sent to uge1135@uga.edu or call at 678.377.4010 and let us know that the photos are on the way and what the problem is. Keep them small so they will download quicker. Any questions, give us a call. 

Bring in Live Samples

If you wish to bring in a live lawn sample, it should be the size of about 4 x 4 inches. Dig down and include the roots to about 3 inches deep.

Sometimes a soil sample is needed to determine mineral and pH soil levels, which should consist of 1 cup of dry soil taken from several places. We can order your soil laboratory analysis for $8.  

We are here to assist your with your questions and can be reached Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Call 678.377.4010.  

Weeds

Weed control in landscape is a tough business. You have to know a lot about the weed in question just to get started! As in most situations, a picture is worth a thousand words. Refer to the resources below.

UGA Extension Gwinnett Weed Index

Virginia Tech Weed Index