Tough Weeds in Warm-season Lawns and Golf Turf

Print page

Summer weed control in turf is difficult. Grassy and broadleaf weeds with differing lifecycles and susceptibility to herbicides can be present. High temperatures and marginal drought stress can increase the chances of phytotoxicity of applied herbicides making summertime weed control complex.

  • Cultural control – maintaining a dense turf is critical for limiting weeds. If a site has constant problems with weeds or any other category of pest, evaluate the growing conditions for soil fertility, compaction, thatch, shade, drainage, etc., and mitigate as needed
  • Pay special attention to label precautions – effective summer weed control comes with some risk of injury to turf, so read and follow all label instructions
  • Sedges  
    • Recent research from the University of Nebraska suggests earlier applications to control sedges are far more effective than previously thought
    • Most sedges continue to germinate almost all summer, so multiple applications will be needed for most effective control
  • Summer annuals
    • Can germinate all summer so apply a POST early in the summer and combine with a labeled PRE for most effective control or use multiple applications of POST herbicides
  • Winter annuals
    • Applications now are ineffective. Apply in early to mid-fall for most effective control on young plants with warming temperatures for adequate speed of control and combine with a PRE for extended control
  • Perennials
    • Broadleaves – fall applications are most effective, but still may require additional applications. Spring or summer applications will require multiple applications for most effective control
    • Grasses – usually fall applications prior to dormancy are most effective, but may vary with weed species. Multiple applications are required with spreading weeds
  • Options for St. Augustinegrass lawns:
    • Read all label precautions since St. Augustinegrass can be susceptible to herbicide damage
    • Specticle is highly effective as a PRE and should be combined with POST for most effective long-term control
    • Celsius® WG controls more than 125 broadleaf and grassy weeds and has good turfgrass safety in St. Augustinegrass lawns
    • Celsius XTRA controls the same grassy and broadleaf weeds as Celsius WG plus nutsedges, kyllingas and annual sedges with a single herbicide, eliminating the need for tank-mixing multiple herbicides
  • Need more info? – Read and follow all label directions and contact your Envu area sales manager for assistance
Weed type and lifecycle Example Preferred Envu POST herbicide Notes
 In warm season Turf
Sedges Purple nutsedge, kyllinga Celsius XTRA,
Tribute® Total 
Recent research suggests earlier summer applications are more effective than waiting.Combine with Specticle for residual control of kyllinga’s and annual sedges
Summer annual broadleaves Purslane, knotweed, etc Celsius WG,
Celsius XTRA,
Tribute Total
Younger weeds are easier to control and combine with Specticle for residual control
Winter annual broadleaves Henbit, fireweed, etc Celsius WG,
Celsius XTRA,
Tribute Total
Younger weeds are easier to control and combine with Specticle for residual control. Herbicide activity is slow in cool temperatures
Perennial broadleaves Doveweed, dollarweed, Virginia button  Celsius WG,
Celsius XTRA,
Tribute Total
Older weeds will likely need additional applications and combine with Specticle for residual control
Summer annual grasses Crabgrass, Goosegrass  Tribute Total,
Revolver® (goosegrass),
Acclaim® Accelerate (crabgrass),
Sencor®
Younger weeds are easier to control and combine with Specticle for residual control
Winter annual grasses Annual bluegrass Tribute Total,
Revolver,
Celsius WG (2ee)
Combine with Specticle and other herbicides for extended control and to limit resistance
Perennial grasses Bull paspalum, dallisgrass  Tribute Total,
Revolver,
Celsius WG,
Celsius XTRA
Multiple applications are likely needed, fall applications prior to dormancy are most effective
 In cool season Turf
Summer annual broadleaves Purslane, knotweed, etc Terradex™ Crabgrass & Broadleaf,
Terradex™ Quick Strike 
Applications to young weeds are most effective
Winter annual broadleaves Henbit, deadnettle, chickweed Terradex Quick Strike,
Terradex™ Power Premix,
Fall applications to young plants most effective
Perennial broadleaves Wild violets, clover, ground ivy, etc Terradex Power Premix, Multiple applications are likely needed, fall applications prior to dormancy are most effective
Summer annual grasses Crabgrass, Goosegrass  Terradex Crabgrass & Broadleaf (crab),
Acclaim Extra (goose & crab), Acclaim Accelerate (crab)
Applications to young weeds are most effective, combine with a PRE to extend control
Winter annual grasses Annual bluegrass Prograss® Fall applications most effective
pdf icon Solution sheet - Crabgrass
pdf icon Solution sheet - Dallisgrass - warm season
pdf icon Solution sheet - Dollarweed - warm season
pdf icon Solution sheet - Doveweed- warm season
pdf icon Solution sheet - Goosegrass
pdf icon Solution sheet - Sedge - warm season

Dollarweed in St. Augustine

Dollarweed in St. Augustine (Envu)

doveweed

Doveweed. (Envu)