Why & How to Control Nutsedge in North Texas
Sedge control can be difficult, even for professionals. Trying to eliminate nutsedge by digging it up can be a waste of time, as when you kill one shoot, the hardy tuber merely sends up another. For complete control, an herbicide product must translocate down and kill the tuber, and all the surrounding nutlets. Understanding how nutsedge grows will help you understand why it can be such a big problem in your lawn.
What Is Nutsedge?
Nutsedge is also known as nutgrass or just plain sedge. It’s a perennial plant that reproduces primarily using small underground tubers called nutlets. The nutlets form at the bottom of underground stems, and the underground stems are called rhizomes.
A single nutsedge plant can produce several hundred tubers during the summer. In just one year, the reproduction from one tuber has the potential to produce 1,900 new plants and 7,000 new tubers. Also, yellow nutsedge can also be spread by its rhizomes. Thankfully, individual tubers do not live more than 3 years.
How to Identify Nutsedge in Your Lawn
There are several ways to identify sedges and distinguish them from grasses. Sedge can be identified by the triangular shape of its stem. You can feel the shape by rolling the stem in your fingertips. Sedge leaves are arranged in groups of three, which also distinguishes sedge from grasses. Each sedge leaf has a long, tapered tip, a prominent midrib and a slick, shiny, or waxy appearance. Leaf color varies light green to yellowish, and as you’d expect, the yellow is usually more easy to see in a green lawn.
How to Control Nutsedge
The best method for controlling nutsedge is to create a dense, healthy stand of turfgrass that can compete with weeds. Encourage thick turf stands with proper turf maintenance practices, including fertilization, proper irrigation, and timed mowing at the proper height.
Sedge is most problematic in turf mown too short, and/or areas where soil remains moist from poor drainage or overwatering. Sedge can also be a problem in well-drained areas (especially with thin turf), but its appearance is less likely and it won’t spread as easily.
Why Lawn Health Matters Beyond Nutsedge
While nutsedge can be a persistent problem, it’s rarely the only issue homeowners face with their lawns. Poor turf health can invite a variety of pests and diseases, especially in North Texas where warm temperatures and irregular rainfall create ideal conditions for infestations. Strengthening your lawn’s overall health is one of the most effective ways to prevent problems before they start.
Lawn treatment companies prevent common lawn pests using proactive care strategies. These methods not only protect your lawn from pests but also make it harder for weeds like nutsedge to gain a foothold.
Sedge Control Is Possible
If you have yellow nutsedge, purple nutsedge or kyllinga (sedge) in your lawn, give us a call at (817) 684-4044 or request a free weed control quote now. Get started on your sedge control program immediately, before it takes over your entire lawn.
