Image Credit – Green Top Lawn Care
Goosegrass is a particularly troubling weed for Texas residents. Sometimes called wiregrass, goosegrass may be either an annual or a perennial depending on where you live. It develops seeds quickly, and these are readily spread from one yard to another with surprising speed. How do you know if your lawn has an infestation of goosegrass? Just as importantly, how can you get rid of it? This weed loves hard, compacted soil, so if it has been a few years since your turf was aerated, you are more likely to find this nuisance in your yard.
You’ll be able to identify goosegrass by its blades, which are numerous and look like fingers, as well as the tufts it develops in your lawn. Look closely at those tufts. If you see a white or silvery color in the center of the plant, then you’re dealing with goosegrass. It’s this silver color that gives goosegrass its alternate name, silver crabgrass. It loves the heat, so a warm Texas summer is no deterrent to its growth. In fact, while soil temperatures remain warm, this weed continues the process of germination. Before you know it, most of your lawn could be infected.
Goosegrass Control
Controlling this weed is central to having a thriving, healthy lawn. Unfortunately, goosegrass is a very tough weed. Diligence at removing seed heads is essential if you are going to stop it from spreading. Because the blades of goosegrass are particularly thick, they aren’t always easy to mow. Exceptionally sharp mower blades are necessary to ensure that the job is done properly.
In addition to using adequate mowing techniques, it’s important to offer the right amount of hydration and to fertilize in the right combination and at the appropriate times. Regular aeration prevents compaction and decreases the opportunities for it to gain a foothold in your lawn. If goosegrass has already made a home in your yard, then it may be necessary to use a post-emergent herbicide to deal with the problem now and a pre-emergent to discourage it from coming back.
Give us a call if you are seeing this troubling weed in your yard. With our arsenal of tools and techniques, we have what it takes to get rid of a goosegrass problem. We can also help you tackle routine lawn maintenance chores so that it and other weed invaders have a much harder time establishing themselves in your turf. Homeowners and businesses around Keller, Grapevine, Bedford and beyond already trust us with their lawns, and you can too.