- What is Nutsedge?<\/a><\/li>
- How Does Nutsedge Spread?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- How to Control Nutsedge<\/a>
- Lawn Care Methods<\/a><\/li>
- Chemical Methods<\/a><\/li>
- Mechanical Methods<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to Prevent Nutsedge\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about Nutsedge<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is Nutsedge?<\/h2>
Nutsedge, aka nutgrass, is an aggressive type of weed in the sedge family that is common in lawns, gardens, and agricultural zones. While often encouraged by excess moisture, it is drought-tolerant once established and can linger in your yard season after season.\u00a0<\/p>
Nutsedge is considered one of the most problematic weeds<\/a> for agricultural crops, and it can have a major impact on turfgrass.<\/p>
There are two major types of nutsedge plants that homeowners might encounter:<\/p>
- Yellow nutsedge<\/strong> has a distinct yellow-green, glossy tint<\/a> with pointed leaf tips and spiky yellow flowers.
<\/li>- Purple nutsedge<\/strong> has dark green leaves with rounded tips, and reddish or purple-brown spiky flowers.<\/li><\/ul>
Both varieties of nutsedge are grass-like weeds with a distinctive triangular stem. Under the surface you\u2019ll find underground roots called rhizomes and small bulbs called tubers, which grow at the end of the rhizome roots on yellow nutsedge and in chains along them in purple nutsedge. <\/p>
These potato-like nutrient stores allow the plant to spread and go dormant over winter, which enables nutsedge to return season after season. In fact, similarly to potatoes, yellow nutsedge tubers are edible<\/a> and have a sweet, nutty flavor. Just don\u2019t try to eat the tubers if you\u2019re treating the weeds with pesticides!<\/p>
How to spot nutsedge in your yard?<\/strong> Keep an eye out for unusual patches of \u201cgrass\u201d growing faster than the rest of your yard, as nutsedge grows much more quickly than turfgrass.<\/p>
![\"Nutsedge\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/18217359824_d0f952ffc6_c-646x429.jpg\")
Yellow nutsedge
Photo credit: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>How Does Nutsedge Spread? <\/h2>
Nutsedge typically enters a yard via bulk soil or nursery plants infested with nutsedge tubers. Once spread, tubers can remain dormant in soil over winter and result in new plants the next growing season. <\/p>
If it\u2019s able to sprout, nutsedge can form dense colonies of plants throughout a yard, crowding out existing lawn grass, vegetables, and flowers.<\/p>
How to Control Nutsedge<\/h2>
Nutsedge<\/a> is often difficult to eradicate due to its tubers, and handling an infestation is likely to be a lengthy process. <\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Experts suggest a combination of lawn care, chemical, and mechanical methods is the best way to get rid of nutsedge. Unfortunately, if you avoid pesticide use on your lawn, the only effective options<\/a> are lawn care and mechanical methods.<\/p>
These methods of controlling nutsedge in your yard can help:<\/p>
Lawn Care Methods<\/h3>
These healthy lawn care practices can help get a nutsedge infestation under control.<\/p>
- Improve irrigation<\/strong>. Nutsedge thrives in moist soil. Water your grass deeply and infrequently.
<\/li>- Repair broken sprinklers.<\/strong> Leaky sprinkler systems can cause water buildup and encourage nutsedge growth.
<\/li>- Improve drainage and irrigation problems.<\/strong> Dethatch<\/a> or aerate<\/a> to prevent excess moisture accumulation, and consider adding a drain system.
<\/li>- Clean tools and equipment<\/strong> that you\u2019ve used in affected areas before using them elsewhere to prevent accidentally spreading tubers.
<\/li>- Follow proper lawn care maintenance<\/strong>, including mowing, fertilizing, and maintaining soil pH<\/a>.
<\/li>- Monitor and manage insect infestations<\/strong> to avoid thin areas caused by hungry pests, where nutsedge could take over.
<\/li>- Till areas of your lawn<\/strong> infested with purple nutsedge, then avoid watering to let the sun dry out the tubers. This method is only effective with purple nutsedge<\/a> and requires repeated tilling and drying. It will not work in areas of your lawn where other plants need water.<\/li><\/ul>
Chemical Methods<\/h3>
To supplement good lawn care practices, post-emergent herbicides<\/a> can help stop an existing nutsedge infestation. It\u2019s best to apply these before tubers begin to mature in mid to late summer. <\/p>
Water your lawn the day before you use herbicides, and avoid mowing before and shortly after application. <\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Different herbicides are effective against different nutsedge varieties, so correctly identify what type you\u2019re dealing with. Herbicides also vary in what grass and flower species they can be used around without hurting the rest of your yard.<\/p>
These active ingredients in herbicide are commonly used to treat nutsedge:<\/p>
- Bentazon<\/strong> (Southern Ag Basagran Sedge Control, Basagran T\/O, Lesco LescoGran)
<\/li>- Imazaquin<\/strong> (Image Nutsedge Killer)
<\/li>- Halosulfuron<\/strong> (SedgeHammer Plus, Hi-Yield Nutsedge Control, Martin\u2019s Nutgrass Eliminator, Monterey Nutgrass Killer II)
<\/li>- Sulfentrazone<\/strong> (Gordon\u2019s Trimec Nutsedge Plus Lawn Weed Killer, Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns RTS, Blindside Herbicide)<\/li><\/ul>
Mechanical Methods<\/h3>
Nutsedge also can be removed by hand by digging or pulling out clumps. Dig at least 10 inches deep and 8-10 inches beyond the visible part of the plant to make sure all tubers are removed.<\/p>
You should only try to pull out nutsedge with a small nutsedge infestation<\/a>, as pulling it out can activate dormant tubers and make it worse. Be persistent to ensure all clumps are eradicated.<\/p>
![\"Purple](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/rsz_24743848982_2d7a22c397_k-646x388.jpg\")
Purple nutsedge
Forest and Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>How to Prevent Nutsedge <\/h2>
Once you have a nutsedge infestation under control, you\u2019ll be searching for ways to make sure you never have to deal with it again. These methods of prevention can keep this stubborn weed away from your lawn:<\/p>
- Inspect bulk soil <\/strong>to make sure it doesn\u2019t contain nutsedge tubers.
<\/li>- Check nursery plants<\/strong> for nutsedge infestation before purchasing.
<\/li>- Maintain proper moisture levels<\/strong> to keep excess water from accumulating.
<\/li>- Mulch your lawn with landscape fabrics<\/strong>, specifically those made with polypropylene polymers, or a thick, non-woven variety covered with bark or gravel mulch. These will suppress nutsedge growth, though you\u2019ll still have to remove any plants that appear.
<\/li>- Change landscape plantings<\/strong> in problem areas to increase shade \u2013 nutsedge prefers full sun.<\/li><\/ul>
FAQ about Nutsedge<\/h2>
1. Should you pull out nutsedge?<\/strong>Pulling out nutsedge can activate dormant tubers and make the infestation worse. Persistent pulling can help if the infestation is still young, or you can dig out clumps of the plant or apply herbicide.<\/p> <\/div>
2. What causes nutsedge in a lawn?<\/strong>Nutsedge tubers are often brought into a lawn by infested bulk soil or nursery plants. Nutsedge growth is encouraged by moist conditions and full sun.<\/p> <\/div>
3. Is nutsedge the same as nutgrass?<\/strong>Yes. Nutgrass is a common name for nutsedge.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Don\u2019t Go Nuts Over Nutsedge<\/h2>
Nutsedge is an aggressive weed, and it can spread quickly, forming dense clumps and leaving behind tubers that keep it coming back. If you\u2019re dealing with nutsedge, don\u2019t spend your weekends digging and weeding. LawnStarter\u2019s lawn care professionals<\/a> can tackle this pesky plant for you.<\/p>
- Check nursery plants<\/strong> for nutsedge infestation before purchasing.
- Imazaquin<\/strong> (Image Nutsedge Killer)
- Repair broken sprinklers.<\/strong> Leaky sprinkler systems can cause water buildup and encourage nutsedge growth.
- Purple nutsedge<\/strong> has dark green leaves with rounded tips, and reddish or purple-brown spiky flowers.<\/li><\/ul>
- Chemical Methods<\/a><\/li>
- How Does Nutsedge Spread?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>