Poa Annua grass also referred to as perennial bluegrass, is an annual weed that grows annually in lawns and gardens. Unfortunately, it’s hard to keep it under control. During late spring and early summer, the tall, tasseled seed stalks of poa annua grass can rise above the lawn grass.
Poa annua grass is a typical cause of unsightly brown spots on lawns because of its propensity to die back in hot weather. It’s easiest to seed during the fall and winter months when most lawn grasses are dying. Poa annua grass in lawns can be a nuisance.
Controlling lawn poa annua is tough, but it can be achieved. It requires foresight and perseverance. You can use several methods to achieve your goal. Timing is also important as it affects the effectiveness of your control methods.
Uncut, Poa annua seed stalks can reach 6 to 8 inches in height. However, mowing the plant results in shorter seed stalks, making it more difficult to handle.
It is impossible to eliminate this invasive grassy plant from lawns without treatment. Find out how to control poa annua in Bermuda grass below.
Contents
How to Control Poa Annua in Bermuda Grass
1. Herbicides as a Management Tool
Pre-emergent herbicides are effective against Poa annua. The herbicide prevents the poa annua seeds from germinating. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide on poa annua for good control in the fall and early spring.
Because of this, these seeds will not germinate. On the other hand, seeds of the Poa annua can remain dormant for several seasons before germinating, and this is because they are resilient. Poa annua in the grass will decrease over time due to this method.
To get rid of this weed, you’ll have to maintain treating your lawn for a long period. Herbicides can destroy Poa annua, but only if experts apply them. Non-selective herbicides or boiling water can also be used to eradicate poa annua.
However, you should be aware that these treatments will also destroy nearby plants. To be on the safe side, only revert to organic procedures after all other options have been exhausted.
2. Use of a Dense Turf as an Alternative Option
The most effective weed control is a well-maintained, dense lawn. Your lawn may be sickly or weak if Poa annua and other weeds are out of control in your lawn. Soil problems or too much sun exposure are the most frequent causes of weak or unhealthy lawn grass.
Conditions such as soil compactness and persistent wetness weaken lawn grass, making it more vulnerable to disease and weeds. There are a few things to keep in mind if you want a healthy, weed-free lawn:
To begin, you should do soil tests to determine whether there are any nutrient deficits or pH issues that need to be remedied. In addition to soil test kits, you can get your soil tested by your local Extension office. You may want to seek the advice of a landscape contractor if soil moisture, dense soil, or drainage is a concern.
If there is a lack of or excessive amount of sunshine, this must be addressed. Limbing trees can provide more light. Grass can’t grow in areas with no sunlight; therefore, you may want to consider planting groundcover plants.
Also read: Which grass is best for poor drainage areas?
3. Control Using Chemicals
When cultural approaches fail to eradicate all or most of the Poa annua in your lawn, chemical management may be an option. The long-term prevention of Poa annua can be achieved. Golf facilities maintain client satisfaction by using a well-timed weed prevention program.
Knowing the life cycle of Poa annua is the key to getting the best results. It is not a war that can be won in a day or two. Despite following a tight, timely weed prevention regimen, it may take up to two years to eradicate it from your lawn, depending on the type of lawn grass you have.
Poa annua seeds are generated in the spring and early fall but germinate in the fall or early winter in the South. As a result, the timing of weed-preventer sprays is critical. A wide variety of weed preventers are available on the market, many of which are effective against Poa annua and other grassy and broadleaf weeds.
Also read: Herbicide safe for bermuda grass
Lebanon Team 2G Weed Preventer or combined lawn fertilizer and weed preventer products are the ones I use on my lawn every year. Apply a weed preventer in September or October to prevent Poa annua germination in the fall (depending on your location).
Later, another treatment is made to suppress spring germination in late winter or early spring (January-February). Keeping the Poa annua seeds from sprouting is the goal of this.
Also read: How long to wait to mow after spraying weeds
4. Other Alternatives to the Standard Preventative Measures
Spreading Poa annua seeds from one yard to another or from one section of your yard to another is an option. Moving from an infested area of the yard to a clear area can be difficult if you don’t clean the underside of your mower decks.
It’s also a good idea to request that your lawn care service clean the underside of their mower decks before cutting your grass. Be aware that Poa annua seeds are hardy enough to remain dormant in the soil for many seasons without sprouting. Poa annua eradication can take up to two or three seasons.
Also read: How to control red thread in lawn
The best course of action is to maintain an ongoing weed prevention program to prevent the sprouting of weed seeds brought in by the wind or dropped by birds. Spray non-lawn Poa annua plants with a glyphosate-based weed killer like Hi-Yield Killzall before generating seeds. Poa annua populations should be reduced as a result of this.
See also: How much sun does bermuda grass need
During the springtime, when the seed’s capsules emerge, and in the summertime, when the poa annua weed fades, you may notice this green plant in your lawn.
Poa annua, or annual bluegrass, is a perennial grass whose seeds can remain dormant for several years before sprouting, making control difficult. Because of this, it is critical to devise strategies on how to control poa annua in Bermuda grass.
