Got Nutgrass, aka Nutsedge?
TEXARKANA, Ark. –
Got Nutgrass, aka Nutsedge?
I do! And, I've been seeing more and more of it in people's yards as of late. Well, here's the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly on Nutsedge.
First the UGLY!
It's the spawn of the devil. No seriously, I think it is. Nutgrass is a warm season perennial in the sedge family and is one of the hardest weeds to control. So, if you don’t currently have it in your yard, and you spot one or two small little plants in your yard, don’t just ignore them. Take a small garden spade or shovel and dig the entire root system up!!! Physically removing as much as you can, nutlets included, will help significantly, although it will be hard to get them all, so be ready for more.
Next the BAD!
It may look like a duck and talk like a duck, but it’s not a duck. In other words, its nickname may be nut “grass” and it may look like grass but it’s NOT grass!!!! Therefore, grass-specific weed killers won’t touch it!! And, if you are pulling it up and not getting the little nut underground, it will just come back.
Finally a little Good!
Since it’s a warm season weed, it’s should go dormant soon. However, that’s not a real comforting statement for folks who take pride in their yard and want to see it gone now. There is a product on the market that gives fairly decent control of sedges called Sedgehammer (aka formally called Certainty). Another bit of good news is that it’s labeled for use in all lawns so if you have more sensitive lawns such as St. Augustine or Centipede, this is a product you could use.
**Always read and follow the label directions before applying.
The mention of any commercial product does not imply its endorsement by the University
of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture over other products not named, nor does
the omission imply that they are not satisfactory.
By Jennifer Caraway
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jennifer Caraway
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
400 Laurel Street, Suite 215 Texarkana AR 71854
(870) 779-3609
jcaraway@uada.edu
Related Links
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity institution.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another
format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office)
as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment)
without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital
or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other
legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.