“Monkey grass” refers to two species of lovely ornamental grasses, the mondo grass, and the liriope. Even though these grasses provide a dramatic flair to your garden, they are invasive.
They will spread to undesirable locations and rapidly become unappealing. Many gardeners are frustrated by the invasive nature of the monkey grass, which invites itself into locations where it is not wanted.
Today is your lucky day if you’ve been wondering how to stop monkey grass from spreading. We’ll look into ways to keep this grass under control and destroy it if it becomes too much of a nuisance.
Contents
How to stop monkey grass from spreading
1. Digging it
If you want to stop the monkey grass from spreading, digging is the best way to do this. As your monkey grass grows, it forms new growth.
You must be hands-on and constantly inspect your area for new growth. Before digging out these new clumps, you will have to trim back your monkey grass.
When digging, make sure to get all of the roots out. The new growths of monkey grass have rhizomes; if the rhizomes are not removed, the new growth will struggle to survive, so dig around the large clumps to efficiently remove the rhizomes.
If you do not properly dispose of the monkey grass, the grass will infect other regions of your body.
Keep an eye on the surroundings. This procedure is straightforward, especially in locations where a barrier cannot be installed; however, you must be watchful and patient.
2. Containing it
The only method to keep this grass from spreading is to ‘imprison’ it. This can be accomplished by erecting a barrier. The installation of the root barrier will prevent the grass from spreading. Begin with cleaning the space around your monkey grass, then dig about 12 inches deep with a shovel to install the barrier.
Trim your monkey grass to a minimum of 30 cm for the best results, or place the barrier when your monkey grass is growing or throughout the summer. Ensure that the barriers are put all the way to the grass root. Bamboo barriers and strong plastic sheets will function well together.
Alternatively, you can cover the monkey grass with a plastic sheet or landscaping fabric. Unlike digging, once installed, this technology does not require maintenance.
3. Leaf thinning
This strategy will help to regulate the growth of your monkey grass without interfering with the overall growth of the monkey grass. This method is simple: shape your fingers into a rake and run them through your monkey grass, or you can simply club the leaves of your monkey grass.
This will remove the overhanging protecting leaves while maintaining the lovely appearance of your monkey grass. Then you should cover the dug grass area with a tarp. The trap will heat up, damaging the new emerging clumps.
4. Adding other plants
Planting another plant will help keep your monkey grass in check.
Monkey grass is ideal for any gardener looking for something out of the usual. However, if this grass spreads to the incorrect places, it can become an eyesore.
If your favorite grass stops being your favorite grass and you want to keep it from spreading, put another plant in that location to replace it. I would advise you to use a rapid-spreading vine, like jasmine.
5. Using herbicides
Herbicide is a simple and effective approach to entirely eradicating monkey grass. Herbicides that contain glyphosate and clethodim are the best to use.
However, exercise caution when employing this strategy to kill your monkey grass. Ensure that your children and pets are not at risk from synthetic herbicides.
Because these herbicides are non-selective, your surrounding plants are at risk. I recommend applying the herbicide to the monkey grass with a brush or a sponge.
Roundup is effective against undesirable monkey grass. Purchase roundup concentrate plus and put on protective clothing
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Apply the roundup on a sunny day for the best results.
6. Boiling your nuisance
Using hot water to completely eradicate the monkey grass is both ecologically friendly and cost-effective. However, this strategy works nicely if the monkey grass does not blanket your entire lawn.
The method is straightforward; all you need to do is boil water. To ensure the procedure works appropriately, drill holes around the monkey grass. The holes should be deep enough to reach the roots, and then the boiled water should be poured in.
After 24 hours, you will find that your monkey grass has become yellow, then brown, and feeble.
7. Using bleach
Control the new emerging unwanted clumps using bleach. The bleach has pH levels that will be unbearable for the spreading mondo clumps. But be careful while employing this method since it may harm your desirable plants.
See also: Is Mondo same as monkey grass?
There is a possibility of skin irritation if you use this method, so ensure you wear protective clothing. Get some old clothing and heavy-duty gloves. Use undiluted bleach on the invasive monkey grass, then wait for two days for the grass to die and them together with their rhizomes.
8. Call a professional
Monkey grass can spread aggressively that you will find it difficult to keep up. When all of the above methods fail, you can call a professional to help you out, especially if you are dealing with a vast invasion of the mondo grass.
The professionals are packed with knowledge of how to stop the monkey grass and even remove it quickly. This method is costly, so ensure you get someone equipped for the job.
The liriope, or monkey grass, is at the top of the list of invasive grasses. Fortunately, there are ways to have that this grass can brighten your outdoor area without having to worry about grass spreading into your yard.
There are several methods for preventing the spread of monkey grass, but the ones listed above are the most effective.
It is simple to stop monkey grass from spreading; all you need to do is get handy. Keep that grass in its place now that you know how to stop monkey grass from spreading.
