How To Prevent Nutsedge Or Keep It From Coming Back
If you dont have nutsedge at the moment, be thankful, but dont get complacent. Taking precautions now will help you avoid problems down the road. As problematic as nutsedge can be, there are steps you can take to keep your yard nutsedge free.
- Make sure your yard is well-drained nutsedge thrives in moist soil.
- Keep your lawn thick by reseeding and feeding it. Healthy grass discourages nutsedge.
- Cut your lawn on the mowers highest setting. Short grass encourages nutsedge.
- Dont introduce new plantings/soil without checking for nutsedge tubers first.
If at any time you feel as though youre losing the battle against nutsedge, dont hesitate to call in a local lawn professional for help.
What Is Nutsedge Or Nutgrass
Nutsedge is a perennial sedge weed that tends to grow in moist areas of the lawn. Its particularly troublesome due to its persistent nature. In warm conditions, such as here in Memphis, TN, it can grow quite rapidly.Nutsedge spreads via rhizomes and/or tubers underground, which are sometimes referred to as nutlets, hence its name. This weed is best identified by its bright green color and the fact that it grows as much as five times faster than the healthy grass in your lawn. If all of your turf is level and youve got some bright green grass-like weeds sticking out, theres a good chance that its nutsedge.We do find that homeowners sometimes misidentify another weedy sedge, kyllinga, as being nutsedge. Kyllinga tends to grow in dense mats and has a finer leaf texture. Its also shorter growing than other sedges.
Identify Whether Its Nutsedge Or Not
The first thing you have to do is to identify whether you have nutsedges or any other type of weed in your lawn. This is because you cant get rid of the problem if you treat your lawn with a wrong product or method.
Generally, lawn enthusiasts get perplexed to identify nutsedge weeds as they are similar to quackgrass. However, if you get to know the characteristics of the weeds, you will find it easy to identify what type of weed you have in your lawn.
For your kind information, you will see a triangular stem when you look at the base of a nutsedge weed. And these weeds have tuber-like nutlets, which help them grow in the next season.
On the other hand, the leaves of quackgrass weeds have auricles, which are like fingers. And they have only fleshy rhizomes at the end of the plant. Though they dont have tubers, they can grow later with the help of the rhizomes.
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Protecting Your Lawn Against Nutsedge
There are a number of things you can do to guard your turfgrass against the sedge weed population. Creating a healthier, thicker lawn through proper fertilization, aerating and overseeding is the best way to control nutsedge. You can also improve drainage and water only as needed to help further control and prevent the nutsedge population from spreading and developing the next season.
DONT PULL THESE SEDGE WEEDS: An important thing to keep in mind is to avoid pulling the weed by hand. Doing so will not remove the rhizomes or tubers underground, so it will continue to sprout.
Alternative Ways To Get Rid Of Nutsedge
What if herbicides are not available in my area? Does this mean Ill have to deal with nutgrass and weed heckling my lawn forever?
Fear not, for we have contingencies. If anything, these backup plans are as efficient and cost-effective as the conventional herbicide solution.
Please look at some of our additional tips and alternative recommendations to eliminate those annoying tubers and weeds.
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Get An Effective Surfactant Product
Buying a surfactant is not a must. But it will help you with a great deal. To clarify, surfactants make post-emergent herbicides stick to the leaves of nutsedge weeds. As a result, herbicides can penetrate the weeds thoroughly.
However, you must make sure you have combined the surfactant and the herbicide properly. Otherwise, you wont see the expected results. For this purpose, you can use a good-quality hand-pump sprayer.
You should never approach a surfactant directly, by the way. The reason is that some nutgrass herbicides include surfactants and some others dont work well with surfactants. This is why you must read the label of the herbicide before buying a surfactant.
Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
An organic weed killer made from corn, the OMRI-listed Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer can eliminate all kinds of unwanted weeds within a few hours. It is formulated with 20 percent acetic acid, which is four times stronger than normal household vinegar. Aside from nutsedge weeds, you can also use it to get rid of crabgrass, clover weeds, dandelions, moss, and white clovers, to name a few, although with dandelions, using a dandelion puller may yield better results.
Application: Apply directly on the weeds or to the areas where you dont want undesirable plants to thrive.
Pros:
- eliminates different kinds of weeds
- no toxic chemicals
- corrosive can damage walls, patios, and floors
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Kill Nutgrass With Boiling Water
If youve never used boiling water to kill Nutgrass, it works by collapsing the weeds cell structure, and kills it. Nutgrass being a stubborn weed may need more than one or two treatments, but once done makes it easy to pull and remove the Nutgrass from your lawn.
Since any plant will probably die when scalded with boiling water, it is highly recommended that you not use this Nutgrass killing solution near valuable plants. Boiling water can also be used to disinfect the soil prior to planting new seeds.
The easiest way to use boiling water to kill Nutgrass is with a tea kettle with a spout, and a heatproof handle. The spout will allow you to pour a nice flow of water right over the weeds, whereas the kettle will retain most of the heat. Remember to pour slowly to ensure that you dont damage any ornamental plants or grass nearby.
What We Have Learned About Vexis
The results speak for themselves. We have conducted research plots, asked for feedback from our customers, and found Vexis highly effective against nutgrass. However, Vexis has shown to be slower at turning the nutgrass plant brown, but it will stop the nutgrass from outgrowing your turf grass almost immediately. So you wont see the tops of nutgrass pushing above your grass the day after you mowed. Our user experience shows it can take as much as a month to turn the plant brown and fade away.
Vexis is a granule and available in a convenient 2-pound shaker can or 15-pound bag. Shake it over the spots of nutgrass in your lawn and water it in. Vexis requires no mixing, no messes, and no worry about leftover mix in your sprayer. In addition, the granular formulation reduces the potential for drift.
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How To Get Rid Of And Control Nutsedge
The best thing you can do if you suspect that your lawn may have this unwanted visitor is to get in touch with your local TruGreen lawn care specialist. Professionally selected and applied weed control is necessary for complete removal of nutsedge and is essential to completely getting rid of sedge weeds in your lawn. After your certified TruGreen lawn care experts apply our specialized nutsedge control product, you can sit back and relax: avoid mowing right after the application to give the product a chance to move throughout the weed.
Visit TruGreen.com or call 866.688.6722 today for more information about all of their lawn care and maintenance services.
Choosing A Lawn Weed Service In Memphis Tn Or Northern Ms
We understand what a major frustration weeds like nutsedge can be. Thats why its so important that you choose a company who can implement effective control solutions not only for nutsedge, but all of the weeds your lawn may be dealing with. While there are plenty of people who might assume that a singular approach to weed control will do the trick, the fact is, it takes a customized effort to be most effective.The truth is, there are so many different types of weeds that we deal with in this region. Thats why you need to be working with a lawn service that can address them all. This includes using specialty products when needed.On top of weed control products, you also want a lawn care program that will promote a thick and healthy lawn. This will make a huge difference in beginning to naturally choke out weeds. Since many weeds thrive in conditions where healthy turf does not , getting your lawn in good shape is a vital step.At the end of the day, your choice in lawn care companies will make a huge difference in your success against weeds. Although we understand that nutsedge might be driving you nuts, you can get it under control and get back to enjoying your lawn to the fullest.Ready to win the battle against pesky lawn weeds like nutsedge? Talk to a lawn care expert, choose from 3 program options, and become the master of your lawn.
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Plan On Several Treatments
With some types of weeds, spraying is effective the first time. Nutsedge works a little differently, because new plants may continue to sprout for a few weeks.
Repeated spraying will kill the new plants in time. Spraying when the plants are young also helps to prevent them from having time to develop so many nutlets.
We typically recommend spraying for nutsedge in late spring and early summer. If you notice nutsedge in the fall, then it is also good to spray before the plants enter their winter dormancy state.
You dont have to move to escape the frustration caused by nutsedge showing up in your lawn! When you apply post-emergent treatments on a regular schedule, youll soon see only desirable grasses and plants in your propertys landscaping.
As you start the process, remember that a weed-free lawn takes time. You should see results after the first treatment, and repeated spraying will eliminate any remaining weeds over the next several weeks.
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Get Rid Of Nutgrass By Hand
One of the easiest and effective ways to control nutsedge is to remove it by hand. This strategy is crucial to use in areas like flower beds, where a tough weed killer may also destroy your beloved plants.
Its also the best way to ensure you remove all parts of the plant right down to the root system. Use this system to kill weeds but not grass, flowers, or veggies. It may take a little time, but its worth it.
- Garbage bags
How to get rid of quackgrass, nutsedge, and other annoying weeds in the garden or lawn starts with wetting the soil surface. This step softens the earth around the roots and makes it easier for you to pry the plant loose. Next, dig into the soil with the shovel until youve uncovered all parts of the plant.
Its important to note that the root systems may grow up to a foot and a half deep. As a result, yanking them out too soon may leave part of the roots still in the ground and leave you with the same weeds in the future.
If you dont remove all of the roots, then this only allows the plant to grow back in the future. Finally, once you remove the plant, stems, tubers, roots and all, toss it into a trash bag to prevent it from spreading.
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Apply Additional Treatment On A Year
A one-time treatment will not be enough to eliminate all the nutsedge weed in your lawn.
If you forget to kill the leftover nutgrass from the first treatment, chances are nutsedge and weed will return in the ensuing months.
These may result in long-term damage to the soil and surrounding plants. Indeed, it pays to provide your lawn the treatment it needs every year.
For the best results, contact the provider of your post-emergent herbicide to find out how often you should re-treat your yard.
Ongoing treatment will prevent nutlets, crabgrass, and nutsedge from paying a visit to your lawn in the following seasons to come.
How To Kill Nutsedge Before It Drives You To The Edge
PostedSeptember 15, 2016
You really want to kill nutsedge? Heres how, according to organic gardener and arborist Howard Garrett: First, dig out every tiny piece of the plant including the seeds and nutlets. Then, sift the soil through a mesh screen. Then dump the collected material on the driveway and burn it. Next, sweep up all the ashes and seal in a concrete box. Drive to the coast and dump the sealed box 20 miles off shore.
Hes hardly exaggerating. Nutsedge, also called nutgrass, is notoriously hard to control. Why? It reproduces by seed, rhizomes, and the underground tubers from which it gets its nutty name.
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What Is The Best Way To Kill Nutsedge
The best nutsedge killer is a liquid spray application of Uncles Nutbuster combined with Stikit, a non-ionic surfactant. This selective herbicide will kill the nutgrass but will not hurt your lawn when applied under the conditions described on the label. Cool season grasses such as fescue, rye, bluegrass and warm season zoysia grass are tolerant to this product.
Does Roundup Kill Nutsedge
Roundup is effective at killing all kinds of nutsedge. The Glyphosate in Roundup will infiltrate sedge plants through the leaves and travel to the root tubers, killing the sedge completely. However, Roundup is a non-selective herbicide. It will kill any actively growing plant exposed to it, including your lawn grass.
- Yes, Roundup will kill nutsedge, including root tubers. This prevents sedge regrowth.
- Roundup will also kill turf grasses and any other plants exposed to the herbicide.
- Only spray Roundup on nutsedge growing in areas where desirable plants and grasses wont be affected.
Non-selective controls for nutsedge, such as Roundup, must be handled with care. Carefully block off other plants and grasses to prevent exposure, or use Roundup only in areas where sedge is growing away from desirable grasses, such as in driveway seams and sidewalk cracks.
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Can You Prevent Nutsedge
If allowed to grow to full maturity, nutsedge will develop seed heads that will spread and create more nutsedge in your yard. A pre-emergent herbicide applied to your yard in spring will kill these seeds as they sprout, but it wont kill all the nutsedge in your yard. Heres why:
- Mature nutsedge plants are perennials. This means they come back each year from tubers in the soil. Pre-emergents wont kill nutsedge roots and tubers.
- To control nutsedge, kill mature plants with a nutsedge herbicide. Then, use a pre-emergent to kill any new nutsedge weeds as they sprout in spring.
Unlike Crabgrass and Poa Annua, both purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge are perennial plants. While crabgrass spreads seeds and then dies, nutsedge spreads its seeds and then goes into dormancy, only to sprout again from the root in spring. If you dont kill nutsedge down to the root, youll continue to battle it year after year.
What Is The Nutsedge Weed
Before learning how to get rid of this undesirable plant, lets get to know what nutsedge is. It isnt actually grass, its a sedge. According to Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center or HGIC, nutsedge is a perennial lawn weed that looks like a grass but with a lighter green color.
It comes in two varieties: yellow nutsedge and purple nutsedge. As a weed, it infests gardens, lawns, and even your home landscape. It thrives in hot weather, which means that it grows a lot during summer. It can also grow on both dry and moist soil.
Often referred to as nutgrass, it is the kind of weed that cant be taken out easily due to its extensive root system. It produces root tubers called nutlets and underground stems called rhizomes that sprout small plants growing during warm seasons. Every new plant can proliferate in patches of at least 10 feet in diameter, making it difficult to remove if not treated right away.
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What Is Uncles Stikit
Uncles Stikit is a non-ionic spreader sticker. Stikit helps hold the herbicide on to the waxy leaf of the nutgrass. When Stikit is added, water can spread covering more leaf surface resulting in a better uptake of the herbicide. Avoid using soaps and shampoos as a surfactant. They contain fragrance and dyes that can leave a precipitate residue on foliage.
Wood Smith Usa Natural Cedar Chips Mulch
The Wood Smith USA Natural Cedar Chips mulch is a great way to combat Nutgrass, and is made from 100 percent natural cedar. As such, it can be used as mulch for Nutgrass, to refill your cedar sachet bags, or placed in areas to absorb odors including in animal bedding and kitty litter.
Made in the USA, the Wood Smith USA Natural Cedar mulch can be ordered in a choice of four different variants including four-quart shavings, and can be used to control many types of weeds, and retain moisture in soil.
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Control Nutgrass With Sugar
Refined sugar does a great job at significantly lowering nutrient levels in the soil, and starves out the Nutgrass, but allows your lawn grasses to grow. To kill Nutgrass with sugar, you will need a lawn spreader. A handheld lawn spreader is possibly your best option, as it allows you to reach restrained areas where Nutgrass is present.
The Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader is a battery-powered device that is designed to spread sugar, lawn fertilizer, and weed control products around your lawn. It features a five-foot broadcast and can cover up to 2500 square feet.
1. Start by loading the spreader with sugar, and spread at the rate of 1 lb per 10-1/2 square feet on dry grass. Repeat this process lengthwise or crosswise until you cover the entire Nutgrass area with sugar. The best time to apply sugar to kill Nutgrass is in the morning when there is no dew.
2. Once youve spread the sugar, use a hose or sprinkler to water the lawn at roughly one inch deep to soak the sugar, but not wash it away.
3. Depending on the initial results, you may have to perform a few more applications every three months or so to keep the nitrate level low. You can stop applying sugar once your lawn is visibly free from Nutgrass, and other weeds.
