It’s a nightmare to have Nutsedge in your yard. Once it takes hold, you must be ready to battle with it over the long haul. Nutsedge is not just a weed, it’s a super-weed.
If you’re a gardener, you know that nutsedge can be a real pain. This weed can quickly take over your garden, making it nearly impossible to grow anything. But don’t worry – there are ways to get rid of nutsedge for good.
In this blog post, we’ve outlined different methods for killing Nutsedge or Nutgrass weed once and for all. So read on to learn more!
The best way to rid your yard of Nutsedge is to use a product called SedgeHammer. I have done a deep dive into this below.
Why do I have Nutsedge?
The main reason you have nutsedge in your lawn is that it has been introduced to your lawn. Nutsedge is a grass-like weed that can be found all over the globe. It is considered an “invasive” species because it can spread rapidly.
Nutsedge can be introduced to your lawn in many ways. The most common way is by using contaminated soil. Nutsedge will lay dormant in the soil for years until conditions are right for it to grow and spread.
If you bring in a bag of topsoil or compost from a supplier, they may not realize that they have mixed weeds. This weed can be transported on the bottoms of shoes, tires, and even pets’ paws.
Nutsedge reproduces by seed and via underground tubers (called nutlets). The tubers can lay dormant for years until the soil conditions are right for them to grow. These tubers reproduce asexually, meaning they will produce another plant exactly like themselves!
Nutsedge can grow up to three times faster than grass and often has a lighter color than grass. This makes it very easy to spot on your lawn. It is also very hardy and can survive drought.
How does Nutsedge start?
Nutsedge starts as a seed. Seeds are produced on the top of the plant, and each one can produce up to 200 new plants! When these seeds fall to the ground and touch the soil, they will germinate and start new plants. The problem is that these seeds can survive for many years in the soil.
Nutsedge starts in either the spring or fall. In the spring, tubers (nutlets) that are overwintered in the soil sprout and put up new shoots. This type of nutsedge is called “yellow nutsedge” and it has bright yellow-green foliage. The older leaves are usually light green. This is the most common type of nutsedge in Wisconsin lawns and gardens.
In the fall, yellow nutsedge can flower, set seed and die back to rest underground as tubers (nutlets) until next year. Do not expect nutlets to form at the end of this season unless your plants are flowering now.
Yellow nutsedge also reproduces asexually through rhizome fragments that break off established plants. To prevent this from happening, be sure to get all of the plants when you pull it out.
Where does Nutsedge grow?
Nutsedge or nutgrass is a weed found in warm, moist areas. The weed is most common in the southeast, but it is also seen in the northern states. The weed does not grow well in shaded areas and cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.
These weeds thrive in wet areas and typically grow in lawn areas with poor drainage, which can lead to grass turning yellow. These weeds are common along sidewalks, driveways, concrete walls, foundations, and other hardscapes in addition to field crops, pastures, and ornamental beds.
Nutsedge thrives in turfgrass that has been over-watered, over-fertilized with nitrogen, and/or over-irrigated. Alkaline soils with a pH above 7.0 and poorly drained soil are also two factors that promote nutsedge growth and populations.
Homeowners can control nutsedge by not over-watering their lawns, monitoring their soil pH, and ensuring that the soil drains properly.
When should you kill Nutsedge?
The time of the year to kill Nutsedge is when the plant is actively growing. This usually begins in late May and continues through June.
Nutsedge starts in the spring and grow through the summer until frost kills them in the fall.
The nutsedge plant has a fibrous root system, meaning it has many small roots with no one large root. It is best to spray the whole lawn (even in areas with no nut sedges) because you can easily overlook a few small plants that can quickly spread and take over again.
The Best Nutsedge Killer That Actually Works
- Sedgehammer Herbicide is for use in established lawns, ornamental...
- Controls nutsedge by moving through the plant and affecting the...
- Also suppresses green kyllinga
- It controls nutsedge after emergence in cool and warm season turfgrass...
Nutsedge is a tough, challenging weed that seems to thrive despite your best efforts. If you’ve found yourself frustrated after time-consuming work and applications of multiple herbicides, then I’ll tell you, SedgeHammer may be just what you need. It’s proven to be the best nutsedge killer in university trials and side-by-side tests. And its the only product I use to kill Nutsedge in my own lawn.
SedgeHammer is the only selective herbicide labeled for postemergence control of yellow nutsedge and purple nutsedge in lawns, ornamentals, and established landscape plantings. Trust me, Sedgehammer controls yellow and purple nutsedge tubers and rhizomes, so it does not just provide temporary control.
SedgeHammer is based on chlorsulfuron-methyl, an ingredient that acts as an acetolactate synthase inhibitor (ALS). This enzyme is required to synthesize branched-chain amino acids, vital components of proteins. Interfering with these enzymes causes the metabolism of treated plants to shut down rapidly and results in death within three to five days after application.
With just ONE application, I could completely eradicate the yellow nutsedge invasion in my front lawn! I usually keep a lawn sprayer at the ready with SedgeHammer loaded so I can deal with any sedge that shows up uninvited in the future. It is available in granular and liquid form, so you can use it in any application method you prefer.
Dow AgroSciences developed this product after years of research by scientists seeking a selective herbicide for nutsedges without harming turfgrasses. The result is a powerful formula that has no equal control over sedges in a residential and professional lawn or turf care.
Applying Sedgehammer according to the directions on the package will not harm children or pets. When mixing and applying Sedgehammer, ensure you wear the appropriate PPE. Please keep this product out of the reach of water and avoid applying it to locations near water. Ensure to keep this product away from flower beds and tree roots, as this product is hazardous to non-target vascular plants.
Directions: SedgeHammer should be applied with ground application equipment calibrated to deliver 20 gallons of water per acre.
- Sedgehammer Herbicide is for use in established lawns, ornamental...
- Controls nutsedge by moving through the plant and affecting the...
- Also suppresses green kyllinga
- It controls nutsedge after emergence in cool and warm season turfgrass...
How to Get Rid of Nutsedge Naturally?
The most effective natural way to get rid of nutsedge is to use a combination of corn gluten, vinegar, and a little bit of patience. While vinegar can help kill the plant, corn gluten will keep it from growing back.
Corn gluten is a by-product of corn processing used as an organic fertilizer. It contains nine essential amino acids for plants and helps them grow. Corn gluten also has the side effect of preventing weed seeds from growing.
This makes it a very popular choice for natural gardeners who want to control weeds without using harmful chemicals. Corn gluten does not kill existing weeds or other plants, so it’s best used as a preventative measure rather than an immediate solution to your problem.
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Weedkiller flame burners are also an effective tool to kill weeds and control their spread. They work by burning off the tops of weeds while leaving the grass untouched. The intense heat reduces the nutsedge to blackened ashes, annihilating it. Use a flame burner early in the morning or late evening when there is little breeze. This method is most effective for young weeds with small tubers.
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How to kill Nutsedge with Vinegar?
Sometimes the best solution is the simplest one. If you don’t want to use chemicals or are looking for a less-toxic alternative to control nutsedge, consider using vinegar.
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is effective in killing weeds. The acetic acid in vinegar acts as a contact herbicide, which means it only kills the aboveground parts of the weed. However, it does not kill the roots and will not prevent new plants from growing from any remaining seeds.
White vinegar or apple cider vinegar, both common household ingredients, can be used to generate an efficient herbicide. Acetic acid, found in household vinegar, accounts for 5 percent of the total. To destroy weeds, you’ll need at least 5 percent acetic acid concentrations.
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Make sure to use standard white household vinegar if available, as it is stronger than apple cider vinegar and should be avoided if possible. It is not recommended to use distilled white vinegar as a weed killer since it does not contain enough acetic acid to be effective.
Vinegar must be applied directly to nutsedge plants to work. So if you have more than a few small patches of nutsedge, vinegar might not be your most practical solution. Vinegar also works best on warmer days (above 80 degrees Fahrenheit).
The downside of using vinegar as a herbicide is that it does not remain in the soil for long periods, so multiple applications may be needed to effectively control nutsedge. Vinegar kills everything it comes into contact with, including grass, so use caution while applying it.
How to Get Rid of Nutsedge with Chemicals
If you have it on your lawn and don’t want to spend hours pulling weeds, then you may want to consider chemical removal methods. Many chemicals on the market are designed specifically for nutsedge removal.
The severity of the infestation and the type of chemical required will vary depending on the species of nutsedge you’re dealing with, whether yellow or purple. It’s important to identify the right type of nutsedge before choosing a chemical. It is equally important to use these chemicals as directed.
Here are a few chemicals that will knock out Nutgrass.
Maneb
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The most effective chemical control for nutsedge is Maneb, a herbicide that can be purchased under the brand name Manzate. For best results, apply it when the soil is moist and air temperatures are between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This product is too toxic to use in areas where edible plants are grown, and it may take two or three applications to kill mature plants.
Imazapyr
- Isopropylamine salt of Imazapyr 52.6%
- Imazapyr 4 SL Herbicide is for use in non-croplands such as utility,...
- Mix at a rate of 1 1/3-6 2/3 ounce Imazapyr plus 1/3 ounce of...
Another common chemical treatment for nutsedge is imazapyr, which can be purchased under the brand names Image and Stalker or as a generic product. This solution is also toxic to non-target plants, so it should be applied carefully and along with salt as a surfactant to help it penetrate the leaves of the target plant. Imazapyr products are less effective in controlling larger plants than Maneb products.
Sedgehammer
- Sedgehammer Herbicide is for use in established lawns, ornamental...
- Controls nutsedge by moving through the plant and affecting the...
- Also suppresses green kyllinga
- It controls nutsedge after emergence in cool and warm season turfgrass...
Like I mentioned above, Sedgehammer is one of the most popular chemicals for nutsedge removal. This herbicide works best when applied at the optimum time, which is early spring or late fall. If you apply it during other times of the year, then it won’t be as effective because there isn’t any new growth for it to kill off. It does work fairly well though when applied in the spring or fall months. Make sure you read all instructions on the package before applying Sedgehammer though, especially if you have pets or kids who may come into contact with it.
Glyphosate
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Glyphosate is a herbicide purchased under the brand name Roundup or as a generic product. It does not always provide complete control over nutsedge, but it may help prevent small patches of weeds from spreading out of control. Glyphosate should only be used as directed on its label.
FAQs
What time of the year does Nutsedge grow?
Nutsedge is a warm-season perennial weed. When the soil temperatures reach 70 degrees, the nutsedge will begin growing. It is usually in full growth by July and will remain in full growth until mid-September.
Is nutsedge the same as nutgrass?
Yes, it is! The common name “nutgrass” refers to a group of sedges that produce seeds in a structure that resembles a nut. However, the term could be applied to any grassy weed that produces seeds in a structure that resembles a nut, such as crabgrass. These kinds of grasses are all members of the Poaceae family.
