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Weed of the Week: Hairy Bittercress

May 31, 2017

Weed of the Week: Hairy Bittercress

May 31, 2017
seeding hairy bittercress side view white flowers

TYPE

Hairy bittercress is an annual spring or winter invasive broadleaf weed. During its life cycle, it has the ability to produce and explosively scatter large amounts of its seeds from siliques (long, slender seed pods that form by the flower of the plant). This weed can reach up to 4-12 inches tall. This weed forms a long, deep taproot that can be difficult to pull if not removed in early stages of growth.


HOW TO IDENTIFY

Hairy bittercress appears as a small, flat rosette of leaves that has delicate, four-petal white, flowers at the end of green, wiry stems. Leaves consist of 2-4 leaflets that are alternately arranged around the stem. Lower leaves tend to be larger and hairier then the leaves up at the top.

  • NOTE: Notice the long, slender seed pods forming by the flowers.

WHERE IT GROWS

Hairy bittercress favors wet, shaded areas as well as areas were lawn is mowed too short. As temperatures increase, this weed’s appearance reduces. Bittercress thrives in all soil types, including nutritious or poor soil.

GROWING SEASON:
Hairy bittercress prolifically sets seed in early spring when the soil is cool and moist, typically germinating in May through September. It can also withstand frost conditions so if not removed, can survive throughout winter and appear again in the spring. 
  • NOTE: This weed can persists through winter and depending on this weeds life cycle stage, it can be seen to have a dull purplish look (cold, harsh winter) or a more green look (mild winter).
Hairy Bittercress Flowers Beginning to Blooming
HOW TO MANAGE
The seeds are located in the flowering portion of the bittercress, so to avoid dispersion and infestation it is best to remove right away before it gets to this growth stage. You can remove by hand or garden tool but because the slightest disturbance can release and spread the seeds it may be best to apply a post-emergence herbicide when the weed is actually growing. It’s important to understand that for optimum post-emergent control, apply product to actively growing, immature weeds; more than one application may be needed. To fight this invasive weed before an infestation, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in late summer/early fall, prior to bittercress germination.
  • NOTE: If you apply a pre-emergent in fall, you’re unable to plant grass seed since pesticides inhibit seed germination, including new grass seed. For cases where the invasion is less severe, pull weed out by hand since taproots are weak and shallow. Overall, the best prevention method for hairy bittercress and any invasive weed is to maintain healthy, dense turf with a strong root system by adopting a regular lawn care routine including fertilization, soil amendments, proper mowing and watering as well as aeration and thatch management practices.
For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
 
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service to find a distributor near you.

References:
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/lawns/lawn-weed-identification
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/hairy_bittercress_a_weed_to_watch_out_for
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=782
http://marinmg.ucanr.edu/Marin_Master_Gardener_Help_Desk/Leaflet/d/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/hairy-bittercress-control.htm
http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Cardamine+hirsuta
http://identifythatplant.com/hairy-bittercress-cardamine-hirsuta/

Photos:
Photo Credits: Andreas Rockstein | Flickr

Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog

October 9, 2024
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.
October 4, 2024
Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers,  We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC. We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark Mangan President Turf Care Supply, LLC
September 28, 2023
With a focus on providing sustainable manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions, Turf Care Supply has embraced the electric power market with the latest mobile equipment upgrades. Completed in June 2023, TCS received all deliveries of electric forklifts to all three manufacturing facilities, including Hatfield, MA, Martins Ferry, OH and Sebring, FL.
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