A Guide to Nutsedge Control
Nutsedge, also known simply as nutgrass, is a weed that commonly infiltrates lawns during hot weather after large amounts of rain, emerging in late spring or early summer. The grass grows very quickly from tiny tubers, extended up to a foot into the soil. A single nutsedge plant may ultimately form a patch up to ten feet in diameter, thanks to its aggressive growth. Find out what lawn care steps you can take to prevent and contain nutsedge in the following guide.
Nutsedge Prevention
Proper lawn care can prevent nutsedge. The weed generally thrives in damp areas, so it's important to ensure your lawn has adequate drainage. Don't water too frequently and regularly aerate, so the soil will be sufficiently porous to soak up moisture. You can also help prevent nutsedge from taking control of your lawn by nurturing healthy grass. Nutsedge can more easily infiltrate weak grass.
Fertilization provides your grass with valuable nutrients like phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen that it needs to thrive. You can also adapt your mowing to prevent nutsedge by setting your mower at one of the two top settings. This allows grass to grow sufficiently to crowd out weeds, blocking them from getting the sun they'd need to take root.
Nutsedge Control
If you notice nutsedge in your lawn, act quickly before it spreads. You can identify the weed because it's lighter than regular grass, with more of a yellowish or light green hue. It also has a V-shaped stem. Some nutsedge types have a yellow tip, while others have a purple tip. Yellow nutsedge can grow up to 16 inches in height, while purple nutsedge rarely exceeds six inches.
It's usually best not to pull nutsedge because this causes it to produce new tubers that sprout fresh growth. Plus, pulling the rhizomes—which can extend 14 inches into the soil—cleanly is tricky. Herbicides are thus the best way to control nutsedge. Look for products with the active ingredients Sulfentrazone or Halosulfuron, which are shown to control nutsedge. If you catch the infestation early, a single herbicide application can be sufficient.
If nutsedge seems to be taking over your lawn, contact Nature Plus Lawn & Irrigation in Cincinnati, OH. These lawn care experts have provided customized services for over 33 years, creating personalized plans for every lawn. They offer fertilization, weed control, seeding, and core aeration. Visit them online for a complete list of services, or call (513) 755-9434 to book your appointment.
