How to Kill Globe Sedge Grass
Botanically called Cyperus croceus, globe sedge is a perennial plant with flower-bearing stems. It has fibrous roots with flat, deep green, smooth leaves, and seed heads comprising of several spikelets. Each spikelet has a long stalk with a round cluster of seeds at the end. The small seeds disperse and scatter to different parts of a lawn or yard with a breeze. They grow into unattractive weeds, and compete with flowers and grass for water and nutrients. It is best to kill the weed while it is still dormant, before the seeds propagate.
Walk through your lawn to determine where the weed is present. This weed resembles grass, but has a triangular or three-sided stem. Notice where it exists in your lawn and demarcate with powdered chalk, if necessary.
- Botanically called Cyperus croceus, globe sedge is a perennial plant with flower-bearing stems.
- It has fibrous roots with flat, deep green, smooth leaves, and seed heads comprising of several spikelets.
Apply a strong pre-emergence herbicide such as Metolachlor to the affected area late winter or early spring, before the seeds sprout. This herbicide is specifically formulated to kill globe sedge grass. Follow the label directions for proper application directions.
Apply a post-emergence herbicide such as Bentazon to kill globe sledge grass if the seed sprouts and the weed appears. Follow label directions for application rates. Reapply the herbicide over the area after 10 days to two weeks.
Mow the globe sedge grass down as close to the ground as possible. Water the grass slightly, and pour sugar over the area to strengthen the nutrient-holding soil microbes, so it becomes difficult for the weeds to access nutrients.
- Apply a strong pre-emergence herbicide such as Metolachlor to the affected area late winter or early spring, before the seeds sprout.
- Apply a post-emergence herbicide such as Bentazon to kill globe sledge grass if the seed sprouts and the weed appears.
Water the area again so the sugar melts. Sprinkle sugar around the globe sedge weed every three to five days. The globe sedge plant will begin to die within two weeks.
Tip
Globe sedge is very difficult to kill, thus requiring persistence and repeated applications. Globe sedge thrives in grass that is wet and moist, either due to excessive irrigation or poor drainage. Water your lawn grass early in the morning, so the grass is dry by evening. Fill depressions in your lawn with top soil to make it level and help improve drainage. Do not mow the area three days prior to applying post-emergence herbicide to give the sedge plenty of time to develop leaf surface so it absorbs the herbicide better. Avoid mowing the area three to five days after applying the herbicide. For best results, apply herbicide on globe sedge grass when it has three to eight leaves. Mature sedge plants require multiple herbicide applications. If applying sugar to the area, use 3 lbs. for every 1000-square-foot area. Although this organic method takes time, it is better than chemical methods because it kills globe sedge while enriching the soil.
Some gardeners prefer organic arsenicals to control globe sedge, such as DSMA and MSMA. Although they are effective, they require multiple applications for several consecutive years, and can damage lawn grasses such as St. Augustine and centipede varieties.
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Tips
- Globe sedge is very difficult to kill, thus requiring persistence and repeated applications.
- Globe sedge thrives in grass that is wet and moist, either due to excessive irrigation or poor drainage. Water your lawn grass early in the morning, so the grass is dry by evening. Fill depressions in your lawn with top soil to make it level and help improve drainage.
- Do not mow the area three days prior to applying post-emergence herbicide to give the sedge plenty of time to develop leaf surface so it absorbs the herbicide better. Avoid mowing the area three to five days after applying the herbicide.
- For best results, apply herbicide on globe sedge grass when it has three to eight leaves. Mature sedge plants require multiple herbicide applications.
- If applying sugar to the area, use 3 lbs. for every 1000-square-foot area. Although this organic method takes time, it is better than chemical methods because it kills globe sedge while enriching the soil.
- Some gardeners prefer organic arsenicals to control globe sedge, such as DSMA and MSMA. Although they are effective, they require multiple applications for several consecutive years, and can damage lawn grasses such as St. Augustine and centipede varieties.
Writer Bio
Tanya Khan is a freelance author and consultant, having written numerous articles for various online and print sources. She has a Master of Business Administration in marketing but her passion lies in writing.
