How to Stop Nutsedge

Nutsedge is a perennial weed also commonly referred to as nutgrass. The plant is native to Africa and is often very hard to control with its aggressive growth habit and ability to reproduce rapidly from underground tubers. A single nutsedge tuber can easily produce up to 7,000 new tubers and 1,900 new plants. You can stop the growth of nutsedge in your landscape by a number of cultural and chemical control options. Though the weed thrives in wet and waterlogged ground, once established, it persists under drought and infertile growing conditions.

Glyphosate
Hand hoe
Liquid dish soap
Ammonium sulfate

Instructions

- 1
  Remove young plants by using a hand hoe to dig out with roots to prevent weeds from getting established. The best time to do this is every two to three weeks during summer, before young plants grow five or six leaves.
- 2
  Improve drainage in the landscape, since nutsedge establishes in poorly drained soil.
- 3
  Use products containing glyphosate as a chemical control strategy for controlling the weed, recommends the University of California Extension.
- 4
  Prepare the herbicide at the full strength indicated on the label. For every gallon of herbicide, add 1 tsp. liquid dish soap. This acts as a surfactant to help the chemical stay on the weed foliage.
- 5
  Mix in ½ cup of ammonium sulfate in the gallon of herbicide. The chemical helps to increase the efficacy of glyphosate in weed elimination, according to the Texas Cooperative Extension.
- 6
  Spray to cover all weed areas well. Recommended time to use glyphosate is during periods of active growth, from the middle of spring to early fall. Apply in the fall four to five weeks before the first frost.
- 7
  Repeat applications as new weed plants emerge. Dig out and remove dead plants.

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