Controlling Nutgrass

By Christine Arpe Gang

Nutgrass is frequently described as the "worst weed in the world." It thrives in moist, poorly-drained soils.

The grass-like plant pulls out easily enough, but tiny nutlets or tubers are always left behind. In a few days, a new plant emerges.

"Pulling it up is a losing battle," said Dr. Darron Robinson, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. "You just break the tops off the plant and it makes them mad."

So what can you do?

Robinson recommends spot-treating nutgrass as it emerges with Roundup, but you'll need to do it two to eight times during the growing season.

"Half the time, that will get it," he said.

Most gardeners know Roundup will kill anything it contacts, so you must shield desirable plants as you spray. If you can't, carefully sponge the chemical on the nutgrass leaves. A sponge paintbrush works well.

Manage and Image are two herbicides that control nutgrass in lawns. But take care to read directions closely before spraying them around your ornamentals.

Image is safe to use with mondo grass, monkey grass, pachysandra and some hostas, junipers and hollies. Turf grasses are the only plants listed as being able to handle Manage.

Southern Living's Garden Problem Solver gives this advice for suppressing nutgrass: Remove as much of the weed as possible and cover the area with several layers of landscape fabric or cardboard. Top with a thick layer of bark or pine straw. Leave in place for at least one growing season.

Always avoid tilling up soil that has been infested with weeds. Tilling encourages weed seed germination.

Christine Arpe Gang writes for The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.