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Nutgrass, otherwise known as nutsedge, is actually one of the hardest weeds to get rid of in your lawn! Sometimes, when it feels like you’re accomplishing something, you’re actually not. When watering, mowing and trimming your lawn, you may be feeding the nutgrass plants, causing them to grow faster and fight harder for survival. So, how do we stop this? Let’s get into it.
What is nutgrass and what does it look like?
Nutgrass is a noxious weed, which is in the same weed family (Sedge) as Mullumbimby Couch. Nutgrass has nut-shaped tubers on its roots, hence its name, and is usually easy to identify as it’ll be a few shades lighter than the green of your lawn and will usually grow taller. Unlike most grasses, nutgrass has a triangular stem, with three blades that shoot up from it.
Why is nutgrass bad for my lawn?
When it comes to a weed’s ability to infiltrate your lawn, nutgrass is one of the worst. It’s highly invasive, hard to remove and if left untreated, it will choke out your healthy grass and take over your lawn.
How do I get nutgrass in my lawn?
If you see nutgrass popping up in your lawn, it’s likely already been in your soil for a long period of time, albeit inactive. A small change in the ecosystem of your lawn can be enough to trigger its growth and spread, such as a disruption to the soil or adding extra nutrients and water to a certain area.
Is nutgrass more common in buffalo or couch?
Neither type of lawn is more prone to nutgrass than the other – every lawn is vulnerable to it with the right conditions. The only difference between the two in regards to nutgrass is if you decide to use a herbicide killer like Paspalum, Nutgrass and Clover Selective Weed Killer, it needs to be spot sprayed on buffalo grass but is safe to cover spray on couch grass. Always follow on label directions when applying any herbicides.
How to kill nutgrass in your lawn?
If you do come across nutgrass in your lawn, you need to act quickly. This weed spreads fast and will become a lot more difficult to remove the longer you leave it. We recommend digging it out with a small spade as soon as you spot it. Make sure you get all the roots and bulbs and haven’t left any in the soil, as this will only result in more nutgrass popping up.
If you’ve already passed this point, however, you’ll need to treat it with a selective herbicide. We recommend Amgrow Bin-Die Weed Control or Amgrow Sedgehammer. You will only need a small amount to treat the nutgrass, but ensure you read the manufacturer’s instructions before getting started. Keep in mind that if you do go for a herbicide option like Paspalum, Nutgrass and Clover Selective Weed Killer, you’ll need to know what type of lawn you have, as cover spraying will harm buffalo grass and kikuyu turf varieties.
If you don’t treat nutgrass, it will infest your entire lawn, so keep a careful eye on your grass for any nutgrass that appears.
Tips to prevent nutgrass growing in your lawn
Nutgrass thrives in moist, damp soil, so to make it as unappealing as we can, it’s important to make sure your lawn is properly draining. Aerating your lawn will help to drain excess moisture.
A healthy lawn is the best way to prevent all weeds, not just nutgrass, so keep your lawn well fertilised with nutrients, mow regularly to the preferred height of your grass, and apply a pre-emergent herbicide in autumn and spring to prevent nutgrass from growing.
FAQs
How to kill nutgrass naturally?
Surprisingly, with sugar! Add granulated white sugar to a sifter and go over the infected area with a layer of sugar, before wetting it and going again. You’ll need to repeat this several times during the season.
Does Roundup kill nutgrass?
If applied properly, yes. However, there are much more effective products out there that will target the weed without damaging the surrounding lawn, like Amgrow Bin-Die Weed Control.
Does vinegar kill nutgrass?
While yes, vinegar combined with dish soap can kill nutgrass, it’s not highly recommended because it can damage the surrounding lawn.
In short, nutgrass is bad news. You’ll need to jump on it fast as soon as you notice it, or you’ll risk your entire lawn becoming infested in a short period of time. The best way to fight the dreaded nutgrass is prevention, so keep up your lawn care and maintain a watchful eye over your grass as the weather changes.
Have you got more nutgrass-related questions that we didn’t touch on here? Get in touch with our friendly team to talk to an expert. We’ll do what we can to help you protect your lawn from this vicious weed!
