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TYPE
Goosegrass is among the weed group known as grassy summer annual weeds. Goosegrass grows up to 2ft tall when erect and ½-2ft wide when mature. This weed is a widespread species that can tolerate a broad range of environment changes and conditions. The weed forms around one central taproot that has a fibrous root system.
HOW TO IDENTIFY
Goosegrass, also known as wiregrass, can be identified by its pale green mat-like clumped stems that appear to be entirely flattened. This weed grows in low rosettes and the stems are fleshy at the base. The weed’s leaves are almost hairless except for long hairs on the bases of the blades, sheaths, and collars. The sheaths, or the area where grass leaves wrap around the stem, are whitish, flattened and open near the base of the collar (the outer side of the leaf where the blade and sheath meet). When goosegrass flowers (July - October) it forms into a seed head with three-seven spikes that produce tiny, reddish brown seeds.
- NOTE: A single goosegrass weed can produce 50,000 seeds! Failure to control goosegrass can result in an infestation difficult to manage.
WHERE IT GROWS
This weed is normally located in areas or compact soil or of heavy wear. It can tolerate close mowing heights, as low as 0.125 inches, as well as wet or dry soil. This is a common weed found in cool-season turfs
GROWING SEASON
Mid- spring or when soil temperatures are between 55°- 60°F. Seeds will continue germinating throughout summer. Plants will be killed by first frost.
HOW TO MANAGE
Since goosegrass is a highly invasive weed, it’s better to solve the problem before it gets out of hand with a pre-emergent herbicide. Goosegrass has a centralized root system, and if the infestation is caught in its early stages, hand pulling can be used for management with the use of an appropriate weeding tool. Overall, the best prevention method for goosegrass and any invasive weed is to maintain healthy, dense turf with a strong root system by adopting a regular lawn care routine including fertilization, soil amendments, proper mowing
and watering as well as aeration
and thatch management
practices.
DID YOU KNOW?
Even though goosegrass has a similar life cycle to crabgrass, its seeds germinate four to six weeks later than crabgrass, making it more difficult to tame.
For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service
to find a distributor near you.
References:
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/lawns/lawn-weed-identification
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/goosegrass.html
http://caes2.caes.uga.edu/commodities/turfgrass/georgiaturf/Turfgras/1130_DiagramParts.htm
https://www.backedbybayer.com/~/media/BackedByBayer/Resource%20Library/White%20Paper/Bayer%20Solutions%20-%20Crab%20Goosegrass%20-%20Cool.ashx
http://www.tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org/Lists/Fact%20Sheets/Attachments/4/w170updated2015.pdf
Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog
With a focus on providing sustainable manufacturing and reducing carbon emissions, Turf Care Supply has embraced the electric power market with the latest mobile equipment upgrades. Completed in June 2023, TCS received all deliveries of electric forklifts to all three manufacturing facilities, including Hatfield, MA, Martins Ferry, OH and Sebring, FL.
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