[Arid_gardener] Re: Nut Grass in lawn

[Olin Miller]

Not to question your ID but the most common dark green clumps in lawns are 
annual crabgrass.  Good photos at
http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/crabgrass-pictures.html
It reproduces from seeds and also spreads by roots from the base of the 
plant.  It usually gets snuffed out by the more aggressive Bermudagrass as 
the weather warms in May.  A herbicide called MSMA (see label at
http://www.pbigordon.com/pdfs/MSMAHerbicide-SL.pdf  )
is said to control it without affecting Bermudagrass I found that it 
certainly stunts it unless it is used in the spring before the Bermudagrass 
starts to green up.  Another better method of control is simply to uproot it 
when it first shows up and before it spreads or goes to seed..

Nutsedge, photo at
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/C/W-CY-CESC-MP.004.html
is an annual that reproduces from seeds and also grows from hard nutlets at 
the roots that my be dormant for years before sending up shoots which makes 
it very difficult to control.  An expensive  product called SedgeHammer is 
sometimes recommended (see label at
http://www.gowanco.com/Reference/Document~rid~312~SedgehammerTurfHerbicide_01-R1006_.pdf.aspx   
)
I have no experience with it.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
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----- Original Message ----- From: <doug.geist at gdc4s.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:54 PM
> Doug 85215
> I have a Bermuda grass (Midiron) yard and what looks like Nutt Grass in 
> some areas of the lawn (dark green clumps).  I have a Bermuda grass weed 
> killer that I was going to use.  Is this a good approach and is there any 
> particular time of the year I should spray?