Thanks u seem like u know what ure doing... have u used this thing called a 'weed hound'? It kinda goes in and claws itself and u pull out the weed (the whole plant comes out) with the root...
I use that too , the one they sell will start to break your back because you have to sit or bend to pull the weed out so I invented my own in which case I do not have to bend or sit on the ground. I broke the wooden handle off of it and bought a long handle from Home depot and put the metal part in that handle. Now I do not have to bend or sit on the ground to pull the weed out.
Good luck and happy landscaping. It is fun and great stress reliever.