It is not only insect pests that can cause trouble for the do it yourself home gardener, there are plants that can move in and play mischief on the hard work of lawn and garden. Today we highlight a nuisance plant that can make a monkey out of us if
we aren’t careful. We will look at Nutsedge weeds and how to control them.
A common type of invader to home landscaping is the Nutsedge, often referred to as “nutgrass”. Nutsedge isn’t a grass, even though it can easily be mistaken for one. Nutsedges are weeds that thrive in waterlogged soil with poor drainage. Once nutsedge has established itself it can continue to flourish in with minimal irrigation.
Sedge is a problem for the landscaping because it will grow taller, and shades lighter than normal turf, creating a lack of uniformity. It also adds an unwelcomed sight to carefully planned flower beds. Sedges are perennial and grow from tubers or rhizomes that remain in the soil even once the temperatures have killed the visible sedge. Mature sedge plants are difficult to control, so the one of the best methods of sedge control is to minimize sedge population and growth as soon as you see
them. To control sedge weed follow the tips below.
1-Remove small sedge plants by hand as soon as they emerge, and definitely before they have 5-6 leaves, check your landscape regularly.
2-Minimize favorable conditions for sedge growth, make sure all areas have adequate drainage.
3-Use fabric mulches instead of plastic types, sedge can pierce the plastic and establish themselves with ease.
4-Shading is useful if you have shade plants that are able to minimize sedge access to sunlight.
5-Drying can be utilized during summer months if adjoining plants do not require irrigation.
6-Herbicides can be used on the emerging sedge but have difficulty once the plant is an adult.
7-Selective Post Emergent Herbicides can be used without harming turf, but read application instructions fully.
8-PreEmergent Herbicides are not presently effective for turf but can be used with a number of ornamental plants. Repeat applications are necessary and manufacturer instructions should be followed closely.
Click on this UCDavis chart that helps you pick out which chemical works on what.
Take a few moments to get your sedge under control so they don’t end up controlling you!