Q.
I have a common lawn with my neighbor and it has an infestation of nutgrass
that is now spreading into my lawn. How do I stop it? I’ve read sugar is a good
alternative to herbicides but I would like your help to get this under control.
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| Nutgrass or nutsedge looks like a grass but it grows faster and it can have darker green leaves if it is purple nutgrass. |
A.
I have never heard about sugar used to control weeds. That is a new one on me.
I have never heard about sugar used to control weeds. That is a new one on me.
Nutgrass, sometimes called nutsedge,
is a tough weed to control. Because it’s a sedge, the leaves look very similar
to lawn grasses like fescue. Many people don’t know it’s in a lawn because it
looks similar to the grass. It does grow faster than lawn grass and that can be
a giveaway. It’s also more upright in its growth so that can also give it away.
And, of course, when it sets flowers and seed that can give it away.
is a tough weed to control. Because it’s a sedge, the leaves look very similar
to lawn grasses like fescue. Many people don’t know it’s in a lawn because it
looks similar to the grass. It does grow faster than lawn grass and that can be
a giveaway. It’s also more upright in its growth so that can also give it away.
And, of course, when it sets flowers and seed that can give it away.
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| If you look closely you can see the nut , the namesake for nutgrass. This is its survival mechanism when things go wrong. |
Nutgrass is called that because of
the “nut” or tuber that grows below ground. It’s usually brought into home
landscapes as a weed when buying nursery plants. Most people think it’s a grass
and pull it but the nut in the soil is left behind. The plant and its soil are
planted. From there it spreads.
the “nut” or tuber that grows below ground. It’s usually brought into home
landscapes as a weed when buying nursery plants. Most people think it’s a grass
and pull it but the nut in the soil is left behind. The plant and its soil are
planted. From there it spreads.
When it’s pulled like a weed from
the soil, the leaves separate from the underground nut easily. The underground nut
regrows new leaves. If the leaves are pulled over and over, as soon as you see
them, the nut eventually gives up, exhausted, and dies. That is a common “organic”
strategy for controlling nutgrass without chemicals.
the soil, the leaves separate from the underground nut easily. The underground nut
regrows new leaves. If the leaves are pulled over and over, as soon as you see
them, the nut eventually gives up, exhausted, and dies. That is a common “organic”
strategy for controlling nutgrass without chemicals.
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| Very sturdy nutgrass plant probably because it was growing in a vegetable garden. |
It’s also a common strategy when
using chemicals. Weed killers burn the top of the plant down, over and over,
until the nut just gives up.
using chemicals. Weed killers burn the top of the plant down, over and over,
until the nut just gives up.
A weed killer that can be sprayed on
the grass and only damages the nutgrass is available. It is called
“Sledgehammer”. It’s only available for purchase online. In prior years it was
only used by professionals. That formulation was called “Manage”.
the grass and only damages the nutgrass is available. It is called
“Sledgehammer”. It’s only available for purchase online. In prior years it was
only used by professionals. That formulation was called “Manage”.
A similar strategy is used when
spraying Sledgehammer. But sledgehammer actually kills a fair number of the
nuts as well. But not all of them. So, it must be sprayed again when the leaves
appear.
Sledgehammer available from Walmart
spraying Sledgehammer. But sledgehammer actually kills a fair number of the
nuts as well. But not all of them. So, it must be sprayed again when the leaves
appear.
Sledgehammer available from Walmart
When to make the second and third
applications is very critical. The spray must be applied when the nut has
“invested” its energy into the growth of new leaves. Wait too long and the
leaves will rebuild the nut. As soon as they appear, no more than four leaves,
Sledgehammer is sprayed again. Eventually, after repeat sprays at the right
time, you have won the battle.
applications is very critical. The spray must be applied when the nut has
“invested” its energy into the growth of new leaves. Wait too long and the
leaves will rebuild the nut. As soon as they appear, no more than four leaves,
Sledgehammer is sprayed again. Eventually, after repeat sprays at the right
time, you have won the battle.
We have a serious Nutgrass problem. Our local Horticulture writer for the Las Vegas Review Journal is Bob Morris. He recently wrote an article about getting rid of Nutgass (Attached). In it, he recommended "Sledgehammer" herbicide. I've been online looking to purchase it but I keep getting directed to "Sedgehammer" products. Are they one in the same and did Professor Morris just get the name wrong ?
Thank you, please advise.
I worked with a new chemical for nutgrass control in lawns developed during the 1990’s. It was given the name “Manage”. The rights were later sold off to another company and the name was changed to “Sledghammer”. Same product but a different name. What was rather unique about it was that it actually killed the underground “nut” in many cases, not all but many.
Repeat applications are needed. The tops will die and some nuts will send up a new plant. You MUST reapply it when the new growth from nuts is young..about the four leaf stage. Slowly you will extinguish the nuts from reqgrowing.
I see it available from Walmart and Domyown pest control online. Try entering sledgehammer AND nutgrass AND weed killer
http://www.pestproducts.com/manage.html
https://www.domyown.com/sedgehammer-herbicide-p-1348.html
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sedgehammer-13-5-Gram-Halosulfuron-Herbicide-Nutsedge-Killer/732320991?adid=22222222254418684945&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=b&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=291938340609&wl4=aud-481962823846:dsa-504748227745&wl5=1011152&wl6=&wl7=9030801&wl8=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0dHdBRDEARIsAHjZYYA5omVeIbAj1Tv30_zMFTTAWVIoLuN0xuE3oBd3ipvP2N6MNuC5WqsaAmp7EALw_wcB