To overseed a lawn, you need at least 2 lb (0. 91 kg) of seed for every 1,000 sq ft (93 m2) of soil. You may need more seeds for other types of grass, such as bluegrass or ryegrass. Overseeding is a way to limit quackgrass without destroying existing greenery. It’s good for lawns and fields. If you don’t wish to save the existing plants, clear the soil through solarization or by applying an herbicide.
A lawn needs about 1 in (2. 5 cm) of water per week. You may need to water it more often during warm weather. To ensure the grass gets enough rain, build a rain gauge. Also, try sticking your finger in the ground to see how far down the soil dries out.
You may need to mow the grass twice a week in order to prevent the quackgrass from overgrowing. Cutting the grass too short may cause the quackgrass to spread. It may grow faster and taller than the regular grass. In addition, slicing its root system causes it to divide into new plants.
Look at the numbers on the bags of fertilizer at the gardening center. The first number indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the mixture. An example of a fertilizer high in nitrogen is 18-6-12. During very dry weather, you do not need fertilizer unless you are able to provide enough water for the grass. The grass can’t absorb nitrogen without enough water.
Some quackgrass may survive for a long time. It is a very difficult plant to stop, but regular maintenance is the only way to eliminate it without more drastic measures. To speed up the process, try spreading a glyphosate herbicide onto quackgrass leaves. The herbicide will kill any other plants it touches, so apply it sparingly with a paint brush to reduce the damage.
Digging may be a little difficult if you have healthy, non-invasive plants in the area. Try to dig up grass and other plants without damaging them. Set them aside until you are able to move them elsewhere or replant them.
Pulling the plants up by hand is better than tilling since a rototiller may cut up the roots. If you try tilling, set the rototiller for 12 in (30 cm) and work in the summer. Turn up the ground and wait at least 4 days for the roots to dry out.
Plastic solarization sheets are available at many home improvement stores. Make sure you get a clear sheet so sunlight is able to reach the soil. Solarization will kill any other plants trapped underneath the sheet. Cutting the sheet up is a way to treat smaller patches, so leave the sheet intact only if you wish to clear out larger areas or severe infestations.
The average temperature outside needs to be around 60 °F (16 °C) or higher for this to work. You do not need to clear out the dead plants in the solarized areas. Till them into the ground for use as fertilizer.
Another option is to cover the area with a 3 in (7. 6 cm) of mulch for at least 6 months. An opaque plastic mulch is the best option for preventing quackgrass, but organic mulch also works.
Glyphosate herbicides are available at most gardening centers and nurseries. To minimize the damage to other plants, use a paint brush to spread the herbicide over the leaves of the quackgrass.
Using the glyphosate will leave bare spots in lawns and gardens, but at least it prevents the quackgrass from taking over your entire yard.
Rototillers are available to rent at most home improvement stores. For smaller areas, turn up the ground with a gardening fork or another tool. Keep a close watch on the treated areas for new growth. Make sure you didn’t leave behind any quackgrass in areas you didn’t spray, since they will quickly infiltrate the bare soil.
To treat smaller areas, cut the plastic up into patches. If the quackgrass is widespread, this won’t remove all of it, but otherwise, it saves the plants you want in your yard. Black plastic or tarps are also useful yard covers, but clear plastic traps heat more efficiently. If you use colored plastic, leave it in place for 8 to 12 weeks and check the progress before removing it.
Another option is to turn the area into a garden. Spread thick layers of organic mulch around your new plants. Watch the mulch for signs of unwanted growth.
