How to get rid of nutsedge naturally: Proven methods for lawn and garden

Nutsedge is a persistent, common weed of lawns and gardens. It is often mistaken for grass, and it grows quickly and spreads aggressively. Nutsedge grows in many types of soil. It can be so vigorous that it will crowd out desirable plants for nutrients, water and sunlight. This rapid-spreading weed can destroy both the look and health of the lawn and garden and makes it a very serious issue for homeowners and gardeners.

Conventional chemical herbicides are typically used to keep weeds such as nutsedge in check. However, they have a number of drawbacks. Such chemicals can damage the environment, impact helpful insects, and pose dangers to pets and humans. Therefore, many people are searching for eco-friendly, safe methods to take control of nutsedge without resorting to toxic chemicals.

Nutsedge: A Sedge, Not a Grass

Nutsedge, which resembles grass and is frequently confused with it, is a sedge in the Cyperus genus. It is generally found growing in moist, poorly draining soils. But it is tolerant of drier conditions once established. It is usually seen in lawns, gardens and crop fields and may occur in areas that are wet or receive frequent watering. 

Nutsedge vs True Grass

Here is a comparison of Nutsedge vs Crabgrass identification:

Types of Nutsedge

There are two primary types of nutsedge that are commonly found in gardens and lawns:

1. Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)

Yellow nutsedge is often characterized by its bright green, shiny leaves that grow up to 18 inches tall. Its seed head is usually yellow and pyramid shaped on the top of the plant. It has stems that are three-angled and sharp-edged to the touch.

This type thrives in moist-soiled places and it can be spotted in waterlogged lawns, gardens, low lying spots with water accumulation. It spreads rapidly from large numbers of tubers that develop anywhere on the rhizomes, enabling it to quickly cover an area.

2. Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)

Purple nutsedge looks much like yellow nutsedge, but has long, shiny green leaves and a similarly triangular stem. But the seed head is purple and that’s what it’s called; the color is darker and more noticeable than a clump of yellow nutsedge.

Purple nutsedge is also more aggressive than yellow nutsedge. It is well adapted to growing in a broader variety of soil types. It is also more resistant to some types of herbicides, which makes it more difficult to control once it has taken hold.

Tips to Prevent Nutsedge Infestation

Once established, Nutsedge can be tough to control, so preventing its growth is key. Here are some nutsedge removal tips to help prevent nutsedge invasion in the lawn or garden.

Soil Drainage Improvement

Nutsedge grows best in wet, poorly drained soils. To combat this:

• Aerate the Soil: Encourage better air and water penetration of the soil which will not allow water to pool and the environment won’t be in favor of the nutsedge.
• Install Drainage Systems: Employ French drains or swales to redirect surplus water from high-risk zones.
• Amend the Soil: Add compost to help improve soil structure and drainage making it difficult for nut sedges to grow.

Proper Watering Practices

It thrives in continually wet conditions, so change the way you water:

• Water Deeply, but Infrequently: Promote deeper grass roots and deter nutsedge with shallow roots.
• Avoid Over-Watering: Adjust the watering schedule to avoid standing water, which encourages the growth of nutsedge.
• Water Early in the Day: Limit moisture for weeds by watering in the early morning.

Lawn Maintenance Tips

A robust lawn is a barrier against nutsedge:

• Mow at the Correct Height: Mow at 3-4 inches to ensure a thick, healthy lawn that shades out weeds.
• Overseed in Fall: Overseeding can help fill bare spots and make it more difficult for nutsedge to get established.
• Fertilize Appropriately: Fertilize with balanced fertilizers to encourage growth of healthy grass and not weeds.

Use of Mulches

Mulching deprives nutsedge of sunlight and obstructs its growth:

• Types of Mulch: Use organic (wood chips, straw) or inorganic (landscape fabric) mulches for best results with weed suppression.
• Application: Spread around plants and garden beds 2-3 inches deep to choke out weeds without hurting the existing plants.

Manual and Mechanical Control Methods

For those who prefer to attack nutsedge without chemicals, hand and mechanical methods are effective, particularly when dealing with relatively small infestations or when there’s an emphasis on sustainability. Here are some eco-friendly ways to address nutsedge.

1. Hand-Pulling Techniques

For small nutsedge infestations, pulling by hand can be effective. Focus on pulling up the entire plant with its tubers and rhizomes.

1. Remove nut sedge while it is actively growing (spring and early summer).
2. Water loosens the soil, which helps to pull out the plant and the roots more easily.
3. Keep the hands safe from sharp stems and soil-borne diseases.
4. Plant pulls close to the soil surface to prevent stem breakage.
5. Make sure that all tubers and rhizomes are removed to avoid regrowth.
6. Check and remove any leftover nutlets or roots from the soil.

2. Digging and Tilling

For larger areas, digging and tilling can disrupt the growth of nutsedge by breaking up its underground tubers and rhizomes.

1. It loosens the soil so the plant can be easily pulled out.
2. Use a shovel, garden fork or tiller to unearth and pull the plant and its roots.
3. Dig down well to get out all tubers and rhizomes as these cause regrowth.
4. Bag up the plants, tubers, and rhizomes to prevent nutsedge regrowth.
5. Cultivate soil after plants are removed, to expose any remaining tubers.
6. After eradication, overseed with an alternate grass seed to hinder the growth of new weeds.

3. Solarization

Solarization is a method that uses the sun’s heat to kill weeds, such as nutsedge. This is a great tip for the really hot months.

1. Solarization is most effective in late spring or summer when the sun is at its hottest.
2. Mow it and clear it of debris for the best possible sun exposure.
3. Water the bed well to help conduct the heat.
4. Drape clear plastic sheeting over infested material and weigh down the edges to hold warmth in.
5. Leave the plastic on for 4 to 6 weeks to let it heat the soil to temperatures fatal to the nutsedge.
6. Afterward, remove the plastic and inspect the soil for dead weeds. Re-seed if necessary.

4. Smothering with Cardboard or Newspaper

Smothering refers to covering nutsedge with a physical barrier, so the sun can not reach the weed.

1. Mow the nutsedge, removing any trash.
2. Cover the ground with a few layers of cardboard or old newspaper. The thicker the layer, the better it will be at blocking out sunlight.
3. Sprinkle a little water over the cardboard or newspaper to assist in keeping it in place.
4. Place a layer of mulch on top to keep the materials down and continue blocking sunlight.
5. Keep the wrapping for several weeks. This will deprive the nutsedge of light and food.
6. Once the nutsedge is smothered, pull back the material and reseed or sod the area with grass.

How to Get Rid of Nutsedge Naturally

There are a number of environmentally friendly ways people can use to manage nutsedge without the need to use chemicals. They do this either by encouraging healthy soil, inhibiting or preventing germination or attacking the weed directly.

1. Horticultural Molasses

Horticultural molasses is a source of sugar that nourishes beneficial soil bacteria and fungi. These soil organisms break down organic matter and improve soil architecture to provide conditions that benefit the growth and spread of grass, rather than weeds.

• Application: Use horticultural molasses as a liquid and put it in the soil. It can be sprayed on the affected area or diluted with water and applied to the ground.
• Benefits: By stimulating the microbial life in the soil, molasses helps to make the soil healthier, which could make it harder for nutsedge to compete. It also increases the fertility of the soil and the ability of the soil to retain moisture.

2. Corn Gluten Meal

Corn gluten meal works by inhibiting seed root formation, meaning seeds will not germinate. It can also help halt the nutsedge spreading since new plants are not allowed to grow.

• Application: Apply corn gluten meal to the lawn or garden in early spring, before nutsedge seed has the chance to germinate. Apply the product when the soil is moist and warm to help it break down and work to its maximum potential.
• Benefits: This is a natural technique that prevents new weeds from growing, so users can apply it to help control nutsedge and other intruders. It doesn’t, however, have any impact on established plants, so it’s most valuable as a way to prevent future infestations.

3. Vinegar Solutions

Vinegar, particularly horticultural vinegar which has a higher (10-20%) concentration of acetic acid than household vinegar, is a natural herbicide and also can be used to kill weeds, including nutgrass. The acetic acid in vinegar draws moisture out of plant cells, desiccating and killing them.

• Application: For best results, spray vinegar directly on the leaves of the nutsedge. Allow the plant to die down. It is most effective on a hot, sunny day, when it is more likely to be effective.
• Effectiveness: Vinegar can kill the foliage, but not necessarily the tubers or rhizomes, so users may need to use it multiple times. It works pretty well as a spot treatment for small scale infestations, however users will probably have to use a combination of methods to really get the population down over the long term.

4. Essential Oils

Oils such as clove and cinnamon actually have chemicals that can penetrate the cell walls of plants and cause desiccation and death. All of these oils can be toxic to nutsedge when used in concentrated doses. 

• Application: Combine essential oils with water and a surfactant (like dish soap) to help the mixture stick to the leaves of the nutsedge. Apply the solution directly on the plants, covering them completely.
• Benefits: Essential oils are harmless to the human body and pets and they are an environmentally friendly option. They work best as a drench treatment for young, rapidly growing seedlings. Multiple applications may be needed for total control.

5. Boiling Water Application

The temperature of boiling water burns and kills the plant cells of the nutsedge and its leaves. This is great for people with small patches of nutsedge growing in driveways, sidewalk cracks or garden beds.

• Application: Boil some water in a big pot and pour it over the nutgrass in the garden, covering the foliage and the root area as well. Be careful not to let the hot water spill or splash on nearby plants or soil.
• Caution: Boiling water can damage good plants, so use it judiciously and carefully. It’s most effective on isolated nutsedge spots where other plants are not nearby.

Summary

Nutsedge is a tough, fast-spreading weed that can quickly invade lawns and gardens. Natural control measures can help prevent or reduce the spread of nutsedge. Improving soil drainage and adjusting watering routines can discourage its growth, while manual methods like hand-pulling and digging are also effective.

Some organic treatments like horticultural molasses and corn gluten meal can keep the soil healthy and stop fresh growth. Discover Growcycle tools and best nutsedge killer for lawns to enable control of common weeds, such as nutsedge naturally.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.