Q&A – What damage does "nut grass" do to Bermuda lawns?
Question:
"What damage does 'Nut Grass' do to Bermuda Lawns? I have heard it is destructive to a lawn. I have been fighting it with Image for several years. My dad used a banned product. What can I do? I have heard move off and leave it. Can't do that, yet. My next-door neighbor has a larger crop than I. They are not yard people. I feel doomed." - Linda, Munford
Answer:
Nut grass or Nutsedge does not harm Bermuda lawns besides competing with the grass for nutrients and space. You can’t pull up nutsedge like you can regular weeds because of the nutlet that breaks off and grows a new plant. Image herbicide can be used but it will take several years to get control. You could also try putting down a sheet of plastic and solarize or cook it out of the soil. The Bermuda grass can survive the heat better than the nutsedge and will recover if it does not get too hot. TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond suggests switching to zoysia grass because it can compete better with the nutsedge. The person asking the question has neighbors that have lots of nutsedge in their lawn. You might ask them if you can control their nutsedge therefore keeping the seeds out of your lawn.
Related Resources
Nutsedge and Kyllinga Species
Yellow Nutsedge Control
"What damage does 'Nut Grass' do to Bermuda Lawns? I have heard it is destructive to a lawn. I have been fighting it with Image for several years. My dad used a banned product. What can I do? I have heard move off and leave it. Can't do that, yet. My next-door neighbor has a larger crop than I. They are not yard people. I feel doomed." - Linda, Munford
Answer:
Nut grass or Nutsedge does not harm Bermuda lawns besides competing with the grass for nutrients and space. You can’t pull up nutsedge like you can regular weeds because of the nutlet that breaks off and grows a new plant. Image herbicide can be used but it will take several years to get control. You could also try putting down a sheet of plastic and solarize or cook it out of the soil. The Bermuda grass can survive the heat better than the nutsedge and will recover if it does not get too hot. TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond suggests switching to zoysia grass because it can compete better with the nutsedge. The person asking the question has neighbors that have lots of nutsedge in their lawn. You might ask them if you can control their nutsedge therefore keeping the seeds out of your lawn.
Related Resources
Nutsedge and Kyllinga Species
Yellow Nutsedge Control