Goosegrass: What It Is and How to Control It
Goosegrass is a common weed that can invade lawns, especially in warm climates. It’s an annual weed, meaning it completes its life cycle in one year. Goosegrass seeds easily and can spread quickly from lawn to lawn on the wind.
Identifying Goosegrass
Goosegrass has severalの特徴的な特徴 that make it easy to identify:
- Splayed tufts of grass: Goosegrass grows in clumps with numerous finger-like blades.
- Thick, resilient leaf blades: The leaf blades are thick and tough, making them difficult to cut with a mower.
- Emerald green color: Goosegrass is typically a bright emerald green color, but older blades may have some white on the edges.
- Radiating spikes: The leaf blades radiate from a central area in spikes of 2 to 13.
- Serration: The edges of the leaf blades have slight serration.
Why Control Goosegrass?
Goosegrass can be a nuisance in lawns because it can quickly take over entire areas. It can also make your lawn look ragged and unkempt, even after mowing. Controlling goosegrass is essential for maintaining a healthy, attractive lawn.
Cultural Control Methods
There are several cultural practices you can use to control goosegrass:
- Keep your mower blades sharp: This will help prevent the seed heads from forming.
- Avoid overwatering and extreme culture: These practices can promote the growth of goosegrass.
- Patchy lawns and areas with heavy foot traffic: These areas are more susceptible to goosegrass invasion.
- Aerating: Aeration increases the porosity of the ground and discourages the formation of goosegrass.
Chemical Control Methods
If cultural practices are not enough to control goosegrass, you may need to use chemical herbicides. There are several pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides available for controlling goosegrass.
- Pre-emergence herbicides: These herbicides are applied before goosegrass seeds germinate. They create a barrier in the soil that prevents the seeds from sprouting.
- Post-emergence herbicides: These herbicides are applied after goosegrass has emerged. They kill the existing plants and prevent new ones from growing.
How to Apply Herbicides
When applying herbicides to control goosegrass, be sure to follow all label directions carefully. Here are some general tips:
- Apply herbicides on a dry day: This will prevent the product from rinsing off of grass blades.
- Apply herbicides on a windless day: This will prevent drift that can kill non-target plants.
- Pre-emergent herbicides: Apply these herbicides in late winter to early spring when soil temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 days in a row.
- Post-emergent herbicides: These herbicides can be applied repeatedly during the season to control goosegrass before it seeds.
Organic Control Methods
If you prefer not to use chemical herbicides, there are several organic methods you can try to control goosegrass:
- Hand-pulling: This is the most labor-intensive method, but it can be effective if done regularly.
- Vinegar: Vinegar can be used to kill goosegrass. Apply it directly to the leaves of the plant.
- Corn gluten meal: Corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent herbicide that can help prevent goosegrass seeds from germinating.
Conclusion
Controlling goosegrass can be a challenge, but it is important to keep this weed in check to maintain a healthy, attractive lawn. By following the tips in this article, you can effectively control goosegrass and enjoy a beautiful lawn all season long.
