Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Kill Water Grass

...
shoveling image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com

Water grass (Paspalum dilatatum), is a tall perennial warm-season grass that commonly invades lawns. If you find tufts of water grass growing in your turf, there are several effective control methods that you can use to effectively eradicate it. But the best way to be rid of water grass for good is to improve the health of your lawn. Regular watering, mowing and fertilization will create densely growing turf that will resist weed invasions.

Dig clumps of water grass up with a shovel. Remove its root system as well as its foliage (even small sections of roots left behind can regenerate). This is the safest method for removing water grass in lawns. Because this is a grassy weed, any herbicide formulated to kill it will also kill the surrounding grass.

  • Water grass (Paspalum dilatatum), is a tall perennial warm-season grass that commonly invades lawns.
  • If you find tufts of water grass growing in your turf, there are several effective control methods that you can use to effectively eradicate it.

Stop water grass seed from spreading to new areas. Re-seed any bare spots in your lawn, including those left behind by the water grass you just dug. Spread black plastic mulch or landscape fabric over garden areas to prevent the seed from establishing itself there.

Monitor your lawn for re-growth. If you can catch sprouting water grass before it matures and sets seed in late spring/early summer, you can kill the next generation of water grass before it establishes itself.

Kill Old Grass

Dig out grasses with a spade or cut large grassy areas into strips with a sod cutter, which you can often rent at a rental supply store. For larger areas, use a backpack sprayer and a glyphosate concentrate. Wear protective clothing, face mask and goggles. Mow the grass as short as possible, then moisten the soil with 1 inch of water. Rake the loose debris and discard or compost. Repeat several times until all the grass is removed.

  • Stop water grass seed from spreading to new areas.
  • Mow the grass as short as possible, then moisten the soil with 1 inch of water.

Tip

If there are too many clumps of water grass in your lawn to dig up, spray them with a postemergent herbicide that contains MSMA or CMA or any postemergent herbicide listed for use on crab grass. Preemergent crabgrass herbicides can also be used to prevent water grass seed from germinating. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying herbicides to your lawn or garden. Clean your mower blades after each use to prevent spreading water grass to new areas.

Related Articles

How to Get Rid of Water Grass
How to Get Rid of Water Grass
How to Kill Quack Grass
How to Kill Quack Grass
How to Use a Tarp to Kill Grass
How to Use a Tarp to Kill Grass
How to Get Rid of Grass Stickers in a Yard in Florida
How to Get Rid of Grass Stickers in a Yard in Florida
How to Kill Dallis Grass
How to Kill Dallis Grass
How to Care for Ribbon Grass
How to Care for Ribbon Grass
Broad Leaf Grass Types
Broad Leaf Grass Types
How to Get Rid of Crabgrass Forever
How to Get Rid of Crabgrass Forever
How to Kill Thistles in Grass
How to Kill Thistles in Grass
How to Grow Paspalum
How to Grow Paspalum
What to Do With Removed Sod
What to Do With Removed Sod
Garden Guides
×