Quackgrass is a weed that can be recognized by its bluish-green color, broad leaves, and hollow stems. Unfortunately, this grass is very stubborn and can spread so quickly that it takes a lot of work to get rid of it. The safest way to eradicate quackgrass is to do regular mowing and watering of the lawn. If the quackgrass is only in a small area, dig up the roots or kill it by solarization (heating it in the hot sun). Herbicides can also kill quackgrass, but have a negative impact on nearby plants. Only use this option to clear an entire piece of land.
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Method 1 of 3: Beating Quackgrass with Healthy Plants
Step 1. Fill the area with grass and cover crops that you like
Suppress quackgrass growth by adding strong plants around it. For example, spread lots of grass seed in the yard to fill the gaps between the existing grass. You don't need to bury the new grass seeds in the soil. While this may not eliminate the quackgrass immediately, the growth of this new grass will prevent the quackgrass from spreading.
- To fill your lawn with new grass (overseeding), you need a minimum of 900 grams of grass seed for every 90 m2 of soil. You may need to spread more seed if you are growing certain types of grass, such as bluegrass and ryegrass.
- Overseeding is one way to limit quackgrass without damaging existing plants. It is perfect for lawns and fields. If you want to remove all existing plants, clean the soil with solarization, or use a herbicide.
Step 2. Water the grass at least 2 times a day until the seeds sprout
Do not let the grass seeds dry because it can make it infertile and not lush. Keep the soil moist to a depth of 1/2 cm for about 14 days. The grass seeds will germinate, and after this point, water the lawn more intensively about 2 or 3 times a week to keep it healthy.
- Lawn requires approximately 2.5 cm of water per week. You should water it more often when the weather is hot.
- To make sure that the grass gets enough rainwater, build a rain gauge. You can also stick your finger into the soil to check how far the soil is dry.
Step 3. Trim the grass weekly when it is more than 8 cm tall
Set the lawn mower to the 8 cm setting. Cut grass (including quackgrass) as often as needed. Keep all the grass in the yard at this height. Good grass will eventually outgrow quackgrass.
- You may need to mow the grass twice a week to keep the quackgrass from growing too tall.
- If you cut the grass too short, the quackgrass will spread. This grass can grow taller and faster than ordinary grass. In addition, if the root system is cut off, this grass will divide into new plants.
Step 4. Apply nitrogen fertilizer every two weeks
You can use a granular fertilizer or a fast-release fertilizer. Put the fertilizer into the fertilizer spreader, then run the tool all over the lawn. Nitrogen makes the grass grow with a dark, thick color, which in turn will inhibit the growth of quackgrass. You need approximately 100 grams of fertilizer for every 90 m2 of land.
- Check the numbers on fertilizer packages sold at farm stores. The first number is the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer mixture. An example of a fertilizer that contains a lot of nitrogen is 18-6-12.
- When the weather is very dry, you don't need to apply fertilizer, unless the grass is watered with adequate water. Grass can't absorb nitrogen if it doesn't get enough water.
Step 5. Maintain new grass growth each year until the quackgrass disappears
As your lawn thrives, you'll see the quackgrass flocks get smaller every year. The leaves will blend in at first, but eventually the plant you want will take up most of the space in the lawn. Continue fertilizing, watering, and mowing the lawn to prevent new weeds from growing.
- Some quackgrasses can stay alive for quite a long time. This grass is very difficult to get rid of, but regular maintenance is the only way to get rid of it without drastic measures.
- To speed up the process, try spreading the herbicide glyphosate on quackgrass leaves. This herbicide will also kill other affected plants. So, apply the herbicide as needed by applying it with a brush to minimize damage.
Method 2 of 3: Removing Quackgrass by Hand
Step 1. Make a hole about 30 cm deep and wide near the quackgrass
Use a garden fork to dig into the plant's root system. Leave about 8 cm between the quackgrass and the hole to prevent damage to the roots. Look for white stems pointing to the side called rhizomes or rhizomes, then clean the soil attached to the rhizomes.
Digging may be a bit difficult if there are healthy, non-invasive plants in the area. Try digging into grass and other plants without damaging them. Set the plant aside to be moved elsewhere or replanted
Step 2. Remove the quackgrass from the soil without damaging it
Quackgrass has a very strong rhizome and often grows longer than you think. Pull the roots out of the soil to check if you get the whole plant. Cut off roots can grow into new grass so you should really take the time to do this.
Pulling the grass by hand is a better method than plowing because the plow blade can cut off the roots. If you are using a rototiller, set the plow blade to a length of 30 cm and do the plowing in the dry season. Turn the soil over and wait at least 4 days for the roots to dry
Step 3. Cover the hole you made and level the soil
Return the soil to the hole using a shovel or other tool. Next, use a rake to level the soil. Scratch and remove any debris from the quackgrass section. Remove the plant parts so that the grass does not grow back.
Step 4. Place a sheet of clear plastic over the regrown quackgrass
Cut the plastic to fit the quackgrass soil. Use plastic that is 8 cm larger than the area being treated to prevent the quackgrass from spreading further. After that, lock the plastic sheet with bricks, stones or pegs.
- This solarization plastic sheet can be found at building stores. Use clear plastic sheets to allow sunlight to penetrate the soil.
- Solarization will kill other plants trapped under the plastic. To handle a small area, you will need to cut the plastic sheet to a smaller size. You can leave the plastic sheet intact if you want to deal with large areas of quackgrass grass.
Step 5. Leave the plastic sheet there for 6 weeks when the weather is hot
Solarization is best done in the dry season, when the soil is hot enough to dry out the quackgrass. Leave the plastic sheet there to give the soil sufficient time to heat the quackgrass.
- The average outdoor temperature must be at least 16 °C for this method to work.
- You don't need to get rid of any dead plants in the area. You can bury it in the soil to make fertilizer.
Step 6. Replant the area with the desired plants
Fill the area with new plants to prevent the quackgrass from growing back. For example, if you are tackling an area of the lawn, sow grass seed of the same type that is already there. Alternatively, plant the deforested area with competing quackgrass crops, such as buckwheat, oats, rye, clover, or sorghum.
Another option is to use 8 cm of mulch to cover the area for at least 6 months. The best option is opaque plastic mulch to prevent quackgrass from growing. You can also use organic mulch
Method 3 of 3: Chemically Removing Quackgrass
Step 1. Kill quackgrass with glyphosate
Unfortunately, there are no herbicides specifically designed to kill quackgrass. An all-purpose herbicide such as glyphosate will kill any plant it touches. Wear long sleeves, chemical-resistant gloves, rubber boots, and a respirator (gas mask), then spray the chemical directly on the quackgrass. Keep children and pets away from the area for at least 4 hours.
- You can find the herbicide glyphosate at a farm store.
- To minimize damage to other plants, it's a good idea to use a paint brush to apply the herbicide to the quackgrass leaves.
Step 2. Spray glyphosate again 14 days later
Spray the entire treated area a second time, even in areas where you think there is no quackgrass. Its rapidly growing roots may have spread from elsewhere to the cleared soil.
The use of glyphosate will defoliate the portion of the lawn or garden being treated, but at a minimum it will prevent quackgrass from growing throughout the yard
Step 3. Plow the area and look for any remaining quackgrass after 7 days
If you wish, you can remove the dead grass, or bury it in the soil to use as fertilizer. Prepare the plow and adjust the blade to plow at a depth of 10 cm. Run the plow on the treated area to turn the soil over so that it is ready to plant new seeds.
- Plow machines can be rented at a farm equipment rental place. If you're only working on a small area, till the soil with a hoe, garden fork, or other tool.
- Watch for quackgrass to regrow in the treated area. Make sure there is no quackgrass left in the unsprayed area as it can grow quickly in bare soil.
Step 4. Cover the area with a plastic sheet if the quackgrass still won't go away
The use of plastic sheets is a last resort. If chemicals don't stop the quackgrass from growing, try covering the area with plastic sheeting, which can be found at a hardware store or farm store. Stick the plastic in the ground and let it stay there for at least 6 weeks.
- To treat a small area, cut the plastic sheet into small pieces. If the quackgrass is widespread, it won't kill everything, but it can save the plants you want to keep.
- Black plastic sheeting or tarpaulin can also be used as a lawn cover, but clear plastic sheets will be more efficient. If using colored plastic, let the sheet sit there for 8-12 weeks and check for progress before you remove it.
Step 5. Fill in the blanks with new plants
Plow the soil, and spread the seeds on it. Choose plants that grow quickly and are dense, such as buckwheat, bluegrass, or tall fescue. Spread plenty of seeds throughout the area and treat nearby areas that look arid. Next, water and fertilize the soil as needed so that new plants can grow on the vacant land.
Another option is to turn the area into a garden. Spread organic mulch in a thick layer around new plants. Watch the mulch for signs of quackgrass growing there
Tips
- Quackgrass spreads from seeds carried by animals. You won't be able to prevent the seeds from getting into your yard.
- An easy way to find quackgrass is to inspect the lawn that was recently mowed. Usually quackgrass grows in clumps first.
- Quackgrass is not the same as finger grass (crabgrass). The roots of quackgrass penetrate deep into the soil making it more difficult to remove.
- In some cases, it can be difficult to remove quackgrass without damaging nearby plants. The best thing that can be done is to carry out land maintenance to reduce the growth of weeds.
- Quackgrass can grow through organic mulch such as pine wood chips. Apply 8 cm of mulch and spread it over the area to be treated. Add additional mulch if unwanted grass grows.
