Properly identify weeds in your lawn so that you can treat them with the right product. Weeds in your lawn can be broken down into three categories, grasses, broadleaf and sedges. In order to treat the infestation in your lawn, you must properly identify weeds that you are dealing with. This time of year we field quite a few calls about “water grass” in customers lawns. The weed that most people are referring to when they call this weed “water grass” is yellow nutsedge. If you properly identify weeds in your lawn before treatment, you will save yourself time and money in the process.
Yellow nutsedge closely resembles grass, but it is classified in the sedge family. This weed is lime green in color and has stems that contain three distinct sides that form a triangle. The leaves are glossy and narrow which usually form in groups of three stems. This sedge has flowers that emerge as clusters of yellow spikes. Yellow nutsedge reproduces by seed and tubers (nutlets) that form at the end of rhizomes.
Properly identify weeds in your lawn.
If you have areas that are constantly moist in your lawn, chances are that you probably have some nutsedge growing in these areas. Yellow nutsedge prefers sandy soils and consistently wet areas. This weed is easier to control if treated right away with a selective herbicide product. Treatment becomes more difficult over time after tubulars are formed. These tubulars may stay in the soil for many years and continue to reproduce. It is recommended that you treat this weed in late spring and early summer. Yellow nutsedge is easier to control when it young and actively growing. If you hand pull this weed, nutlets may break off in the soil and continue to reproduce. The most effective way to control this weed is to spray a selective herbicide. It may be necessary to treat this weed several times to fully control it in your lawn. Having a thick and lush lawn also contributes to the elimination of this pest. If you properly maintain your turf grass and increase its density, you will minimize the chances for an out break.