What Kills Nutgrass for Good? Expert Solutions for Nutsedge in Lawns

You’ve probably noticed that some weeds in your lawn are harder to control than others. That can be incredibly frustrating if you’re trying “all the things.” But certain weeds just seem resistant to treatment.

Amongst some of the most difficult-to-control weeds is nutsedge, also commonly known as “nutgrass.”

Unfortunately, nutsedge in lawns can be incredibly challenging. It is an aggressive grower that can grow as much as five times faster than your healthy grass!

Jump to Section

• What does nutgrass in lawns look like?
• What kills nutgrass for good?
• How do you kill nutsedge without killing grass?
• How do you prevent nutsedge in lawns?
• What are the ideal conditions for nutgrass?
• Is DIY nutsedge control effective?
• Choosing lawn care and weed control in Tupelo, Oxford or New Albany, MS

What makes nutgrass so hard to kill?

The underground growth pattern is a key reason why nutgrass is so hard to kill. This weed has a complex underground system made up of nutlets and rhizomes that can spread beneath the surface of your lawn. Along with that, nutgrass is also resistant to most weed control products and requires specialty controls.

The good news is that there are solutions you can implement when you know what you’re doing. In this article, we’ll talk about some of our best tips on how to deal with nutgrass in lawns.

What does nutgrass in lawns look like?

Though it looks like a grassy weed (and is commonly misidentified sometimes as crabgrass), nutgrass is a perennial weed that is actually part of the sedge family. Sedge weeds tend to be aggressive weeds, and it’s no different with nutsedge.

A differentiator between nutgrass and real grass is the stem, which is triangular or three-sided, unlike grass, which is hollow.

Nutgrass also reproduces via underground tubers called “nutlets.”

There are two common types of nutgrass in our region, yellow and purple. Even though the purple nutsedge produces more tubers, the yellow is still able to produce thousands of nutlets with patches several feet wide. As these spread underground, shoots pop up and become new plants.

While underground at depths of 6” to 18”, nutlets might hide and survive for up to 10 years before emerging again. Buried at depths like that, they are protected from cold weather and common treatments for killing nutgrass. This is yet another reason why this weed is such a challenge!

What kills nutgrass for good?

One of the reasons why it can feel like you are fighting a never-ending battle with nutsedge in lawns is that it is resistant to most standard weed control products.

Nutgrass requires specialty weed control products that specifically target this weed. We can use these specialty controls to specifically target nutgrass without harming the rest of your lawn.

While these controls can be effective, they often require repeated applications, and nutgrass can be persistent.

One of the reasons that nutsedge keeps coming back is that it has a complex underground system made up of nutlets and rhizomes. It can regenerate from small pieces or any little bit that is left behind. This is one reason why hand-pulling is highly ineffective at killing nutgrass. You need a product that will percolate down to the underground system.

Even when treated, nutsedge can return in future years, so it does take a diligent approach. Ideally, nutgrass is best treated when it is young to reduce the spread and enhance the overall effectiveness of the product.

How do you kill nutsedge without killing grass?

Again, it’s a matter of using selective controls that specifically target nutsedge and leave your healthy grass alone.

As with any weed control product, it’s imperative that it is applied properly. Nutsedge should be selectively targeted with a precise application.

How do you prevent nutsedge in lawns?

As Benjamin Franklin once said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In other words, it’s always best to prevent a problem rather than try to fix it.

That being said, there is no 100-percent foolproof nutsedge prevention strategy. Even when you do all the right things, this pesky weed can pop up. This is one of the things that makes nutgrass in lawns so frustrating.

While there’s no surefire prevention approach, it’s still worth taking steps to mitigate the possibility of the growth of nutgrass. You can definitely make your yard less hospitable to nutgrass….and that’s worth the effort!

Since nutgrass in lawns tends to pop up in areas of poor drainage (where healthy grass will struggle to grow), it can help to improve your yard’s drainage. This means correcting irrigation issues, fixing low spots, and improving soil compaction.

It’s also important not to overwater your lawn. The best approach to watering your lawn is to provide deep but infrequent watering sessions.

You can also take steps to grow a thick and healthy lawn, which will help to naturally choke out weeds. A thick lawn will make it more challenging for nutgrass or other weeds to creep in. Lawn fertilization can play a valuable role in promoting a thick and healthy lawn.

But again, even healthy lawns can see some breakthrough from persistent weeds like nutsedge. That’s why nutsedge control products might be required, even for healthy lawns.

What are the ideal conditions for nutgrass?

Nutgrass typically breaks out during really wet springs, especially in lawns with poor drainage. However, it doesn’t take much moisture to thrive afterward because nutgrass can withstand drought.

Because it doesn’t need much moisture to survive, nutgrass beats out grass that is starving for water and nutrients.

Is DIY nutsedge control effective?

We can absolutely appreciate a do-it-yourselfer who wants to take matters into their own hands. But given the fact that nutsedge is such a difficult weed, it truly is best left in the hands of a pro who has access to specialty controls.

It’s important to have realistic expectations when treating nutgrass. If you have an extensive problem with this weed, it’s going to take repeated applications to get it under control.

Your lawn care professional can talk to you about what to expect based on your specific situation. A customized solution can be developed for your lawn.

Choosing lawn care and weed control in Tupelo, Oxford & New Albany, MS

When it comes to controlling a pesky weed like nutgrass, you’ll want to partner with the right lawn care professional.

Your options certainly aren’t limited when it comes to lawn care and weed control in Tupelo, Oxford, and New Albany, MS.

While there are lots of companies that can help you fertilize your lawn or treat your weeds, you also want a company that is going to treat you right. You don’t want to have to make phone calls that go unanswered or work with a revolving door of technicians. You simply want to find a lawn care partner that you can trust.

You deserve this much when you are paying for their services.

At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we’re here to help. We understand the reasons why people end up canceling lawn care or looking for a new company. But we’ve built our company to be different.

If you have any questions, you can always reach out. Whether you choose our company or someone else, we want you to be happy with your decision.

Want to improve your lawn’s health and create a thicker, greener lawn? Lawn & Pest Solutions can help you with lawn care in North Mississippi. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll customize a plan that gives you the most attractive lawn on the block.