If you’re trying to have the best-looking property on the block, then you don’t need weeds standing in your way. Unfortunately, some weeds are more difficult to get rid of than others. Amongst the tough-to-control weeds is nutsedge, sometimes referred to as “nutgrass,” a common invader here in North Texas.
This weed is known to cause major frustrations due to its persistent nature.
If you feel like you’re pulling your hair out fighting a battle that you can’t seem to win, you’re not alone. That’s why we’re talking about how to achieve successful nutsedge control.
The first step to dealing with weeds is always proper identification. Nutsedge is a pesky perennial weed that tends to prefer moist areas of the lawn. It can also grow rapidly in warm weather. Nutsedge reproduces underground via rhizomes and/or “tubers” that are sometimes referred to as “nutlets.”
Although nutsedge appears to be a grassy weed, it’s actually part of the sedge family. It is best identified by its bright green color and the fact that it grows as much as 5 times faster than the rest of the lawn. When your grass is all at an even level and there’s a grass sticking out, it could be nutsedge.
Sedges also have “edges” meaning when you roll them between your fingers you should be able to detect their triangularly-shaped stem.
However, we do find that Green Kyllinga is often mistaken to be nutsedge. Kyllinga weeds tend to have a finer leaf texture and are shorter growing than other sedges, which is another way you might tell them apart.
Whenever we begin to talk about nutsedge control solutions with homeowners we always begin that conversation by talking about why they have it in the first place.
Because this weed thrives in wet areas, identifying areas of the lawn that are receiving excessive moisture is an important first step to dealing with it. These areas of moisture could be caused by a dripping hose, an irrigation system that’s putting out more water than is needed, or maybe a low spot in the yard where water flows and collects.
If we identify a moisture problem that is solvable, that’s an important step in discouraging the growth of nutsedge in the first place. Preventing weeds is always easier than dealing with them after they’ve already grown. So, these strategies are always our first step.
Of course, we recognize that not all nutsedge can be prevented. We’ll do what we can to discourage nutsedge growth, however, you’ll likely want to incorporate weed control products as well.
What’s important to recognize is that nutsedge is difficult to control with chemicals and requires a specialty product. Due to its hardiness as well as the fact that it grows rapidly, nutsedge is going to require repeated controls to knockback. Even when you do, it’s going to continue to return year after year.
That means nutsedge control should be part of an ongoing weed control program with plans to attack it annually (and repeatedly). Nutsedge is usually first seen in mid-spring and can grow and spread all the way through the first frost.
At Grassperson, we include nutsedge control in all of our lawn care programs. That wasn’t always the case. When Ann and I acquired this company, nutsedge control was not included in the lawn care programs. However, we listened to our customers and recognized that it’s such a prevalent weed that we began incorporating nutsedge control into all of our programs.
That being said, it’s important for us to be transparent and realistic when it comes to this difficult weed.
If we have a new client whose yard is overrun by nutsedge and it’s going to take more work than our typical program could handle (such as a blanket application as opposed to just spot treating), then it will cost extra. In these cases, some homeowners prefer to just re-sod and start over. The fact is, it can take a lot of time to get a yard overrun by nutsedge back into shape and a lot of homeowners would rather not wait.
If we do re-sod, then we’ll also focus on whatever preventative measures we can employ to discourage future nutsedge growth.
At the end of the day, nutsedge is just one of many weeds that we deal with here in North Texas. Although some weeds can be a tougher battle than others, you can gain ground with a professional on your side.
When it comes to addressing nutsedge control, you can count on us to be transparent and to tell it like it is. We find that most customers really appreciate the truth, even when it’s difficult and might mean that control is going to take time—or that resodding could be your best approach.
In the end, it comes down to the fact that we truly have your best interest at heart. For most homeowners, we can get nutsedge under control with repeated specialty controls. But for those that we can’t, we can utilize resodding. Either way, we can help you to have the best-looking lawn on the block in a way that works within your ideal time frame and expectations.
Ready to get rid of tough-to-control nutsedge at your Flower Mound, Highland Village, or Lewisville, TX home? Get a free quote and get ready to enjoy the best lawn on the block!
Image sources: nutsedge, nutsedge in grass