How to Get Rid of Dallisgrass: a Simple Diy Treatment Guide (2023)

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Dallisgrass is a troublesome perennial weed that can quickly take over your lawn or garden. It is a native of Uruguay and was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s by botanist T. Dallis. Although some people are big supporters of the plant, it is a hated invasive weed for most gardeners and homeowners.

The most annoying aspect of gardening is dealing with weeds, and dallisgrass is one of the most unsavory clumps of them all.

If you’re dealing with dallisgrass, you’re not alone. This pesky weed is a fast-growing tufted perennial grass that can spread quickly and take over large areas of your lawn or garden. In this article, we’ll discuss the best strategies for controlling dallisgrass and preventing its spread.

Understanding Dallisgrass

Dallisgrass is a warm-season grass that thrives in high temperatures. It has coarse leaves and a distinct shallow rhizome system that distinguishes it from other weeds. The weed strikes in sporadic clumps, and the center of the clump is usually dead.

The clumps of dallisgrass can grow up to 3 feet in diameter, and the plant has high tolerance to extreme temperatures.

One of the distinguishing features of the dallisgrass is its concentric rings. The plant grows in a circular pattern, and the rings get larger each year. The dead heart of the clump is usually in the center of the circle, and new dallisgrass plants sprout around the outside.

Dallisgrass produces copious amounts of seeds, which can quickly spread to new areas. The plant can also spread through its short rhizomes, which can grow up to 6 inches long. The weed is most commonly found in heavy clay soils and wet areas, such as bodies of water, wet roadside areas, and low spots.

Preventative Measures

The best defense against dallisgrass is prevention. Here are some preventative measures you can take to keep dallisgrass from taking over your lawn or garden:

• Use pre-emergent herbicides: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent dallisgrass seed from germinating.
• Practice good cultural controls: Keep your lawn healthy and well-maintained by mowing regularly, watering deeply and infrequently, and fertilizing appropriately.
• Avoid overwatering: Dallisgrass thrives in wet conditions, so avoid overwatering your lawn or garden. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth and discourage the growth of shallow-rooted weeds.
• Spot treat new dallisgrass plants: When you first spot a new dallisgrass plant, remove it immediately.

Chemical Methods

If you already have a dallisgrass problem, there are several chemical methods you can use to control it.

Pre-emergence Herbicides

Pre-emergence herbicides are effective for controlling dallisgrass seedlings. These herbicides should be applied in late winter or early spring before the seeds germinate.

• Prodiamine: This herbicide is effective for controlling mature dallisgrass plants and preventing the growth of new plants. It should be applied in early spring before soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Pendimethalin: This herbicide is effective for controlling annual lawn weeds and forage plants, as well as dallisgrass. It should be applied in early spring before soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Dithiopyr: This herbicide is effective for controlling annual lawn weeds, forage plants, and some perennial grassy weeds, including dallisgrass. It should be applied in early spring before soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Post-emergence Herbicides

Post-emergence herbicides are effective for controlling mature dallisgrass plants. These herbicides should be applied when the plant is actively growing and has reached a height of 6-8 inches.

• Celsius WG: This herbicide is effective for controlling mature dallisgrass plants and preventing the growth of new plants. It should be applied in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.
• WSB: This herbicide is effective for controlling dallisgrass in warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass. It should be applied in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.

Spot Treatments

Spot treatments are an effective way to control small areas of dallisgrass. These treatments involve applying herbicide directly to the clumps of dallisgrass.

• Glyphosate: This herbicide is effective for killing all types of turf grass and weeds. It should be applied carefully to avoid damaging sensitive flowering plants or other desirable vegetation.
• MSM This herbicide is effective for controlling dallisgrass in warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass. It should be applied carefully to avoid damaging desirable vegetation.

DIY Dallisgrass Treatment Guide

If you’re looking for a simple DIY dallisgrass treatment guide, here are some step-by-step instructions:

1. Identify the problem: The first step in controlling dallisgrass is identifying the problem.
2. Choose the appropriate herbicide: Choose the appropriate herbicide based on the type of grass you have and the severity of the problem.
3. Measure the appropriate amount: Measure the appropriate amount of herbicide based on the square footage of the area you need to treat.
4. Apply the herbicide: Apply the herbicide according to the instructions on the label.
5. Repeat as necessary: Repeat the application as necessary to achieve complete control of this perennial grass weed.

Conclusion

Dallisgrass can be a big problem for homeowners, gardeners, and commercial property owners. The best way to control dallisgrass is through a combination of cultural practices and chemical methods. Preventative measures, such as using pre-emergent herbicides and practicing good cultural controls, can help prevent the spread of dallisgrass.

Chemical methods, such as pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides and spot treatments, can be effective for controlling mature dallisgrass plants. By following the appropriate treatment program and using the proper product recommendations, you can achieve better results and keep your lawn or garden free from this unsightly grassy weed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)