|
Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) - Control
The annual nature of this weed supplies its most noxious habit: it
re-seeds itself prolifically! Annual bluegrass is outwardly attractive
in the winter but just wait until spring! The thick mat of bluegrass
chokes out the better turf underneath.
Every blade (of which there are thousands) seems to be covered with
seeds. These seed are carried by animals, water and lawnmowers to other
parts of the lawn. When hot weather comes, the bluegrass dies, leaving
a large bare spot and a legacy of thousands of seed for next fall.
The best control for annual bluegrass is to apply a pre-emergent
weed chemical in the fall. The best time is usually in
mid-September. Any pre-emergent product that controls crabgrass will
control annual bluegrass.
The pre-emergent will prevent seeds from germinating. Of course, the
pre-emergent could not be used on a fescue lawn which you intend to
re-seed!
If bluegrass is present in bermudagrass in January, the best control is
to kill it with a non-selective herbicide (Roundup etc.) before it
forms seed in the spring. Read the label to make sure your desired turf
grass will tolerate the chemicals in the winter. Make sure bermudagrass
is truly dormant before spraying and spray lightly.
The old-timers call this one "po anner" due to its scientific name: Poa
annua. That name immediately tells us that this grassy plant is an
annual. It has appeared yearly in patches throughout my St. Augustine
grass back yard. It is not killed by a broadleaf weed killer.
Conversely, a grassy weed post-emergent herbicide might hurt my
turfgrass.
This is where a non-selective herbicide can help - if it is properly
applied. I can see that my St. Augustine has some green sprouts in
winter, so I can't use a spray of Roundup(tm). Instead, I wrap an old
towel around the tines of a yard rake and dampen it with the diluted
chemical. Using the rake like a paintbrush, I apply chemical to the
"bad" grass without harming my "good" grass.
The information above is located at: www.walterreeves.com
pre-emergent
|
|
cooperseeds.com Order Line: 1-877-463-6697
131 Eaton St. Lawrenceville, GA 30045 cooper@cooperseeds.com
(770) 963-6183 | Fax: (770) 963-9477 | Order Line: 877-463-6697 Store Hours (Eastern): M-F: 8:00-5:30, Sat: Closed, Sun: Closed
|
|