What Kills Green Foxtail?

Native Habitat

• Green foxtail is found throughout the United States and is frequently seen in lawns, landscapes, nursery and crops. The weed thrives in moist and dry soils and adapts to loam, gravel or clay and in partial to full sun. The plant has a rapid growth rate, producing numerous generations within one growing season. In addition to cultivated lands, green foxtail also invades pastures, vacant lots, disturbed sites and open areas.

Description

• Green foxtail has a wide spreading base with slender, 1-½ to 2-feet-long, light green blades. Alternating blades are about 6 inches long. All grass blades are hairless with flat margins, becoming slightly wavy at the ends. The flowers grow in the form of 2- to 4-inch-long, light-green panicles of florets surrounded by green or purple bristles. The seed heads are ovoid and flat on one side. Green foxtail propagates profusely with seed and has a fibrous and shallow root system.

Recommended Herbicides

• A number of post pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides effectively control green foxtail. The North Carolina State University Extension recommends using the same herbicides that are used for killing crab grass. These include oxydiazon, pendimethalin, dithiopyr and benefin as pre-emergents. Pre-emergent herbicides retard the germination of seeds and prevent the grass from growing. Post-emergent chemical control options, used on actively growing weeds, include quinclorac, fenoxaprop and DSMA. All chemicals are sold under different tradenames.

Use Suggestions

• Start applying pre-emergent herbicides very early in spring, by March 1, before weed seeds have a chance to germinate. The use of pre-emergent herbicides is not recommended on new seedlings or in areas that need to be seeded. Water in the herbicide well after application. Use post-emergent herbicides on smaller weeds for best control. Make sure the plants in the areas where you will be using the herbicides are not drought stressed. Apply post-emergent herbicides on clear days with low humidity and when temperatures are less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.