I have a problem with Coco grass, also heard it called nut grass. It seems
to like sandy soil and may (probably) came in with sand when we built our
house slab. I have some flowers growing in some rudimentary flowerbeds and
the Coco grass is a major pest. I pull it by hand, but just as much keeps
coming back..Any ideas, or if I keep pulling, will I win?
Perry
Thanks.

"Perry Templeton" wrote in message
.. .
I have a problem with Coco grass, also heard it called nut grass.
It seems
to like sandy soil and may (probably) came in with sand when we
built our
house slab. I have some flowers growing in some rudimentary
flowerbeds and
the Coco grass is a major pest. I pull it by hand, but just as much
keeps
coming back..Any ideas, or if I keep pulling, will I win?
Perry
Thanks.



Dear Perry,

Nut grass is light green, compared to bluegrass or fescue, the common
lawn grasses around here, and grows quickly and taller than the turf
grasses, but gets off to a late start, preferring hot weather. It puts
out plumes on which reside seeds. The "nuts" are little nodules which
are well underground. The stems are weak, so they break off when you
pull on the green part which is above ground, but unless the soil is
really loose you can't pull out the nuts. If you don't, the grass will
just come back.

I give all this background to help you confirm that you actually have
nut grass. If you do, apply an herbicide called Manage. In consumer
form, it is a packet of powder in a water-soluble bag, all encased in
a plastic envelope. It is fairly expensive - around here one packet
costs about $14 and makes one gallon of spray. One gallon is about
right for my needs, but may not work for you. Unfortunately, the
system doesn't allow for making smaller quantities.

Manage is harmless to turf grasses, but I'm not sure about
ornamentals. I wouldn't want to spray it around vegetables, just on
general principles not from any specific knowledge. I use a pressure
sprayer, but on localized outbreaks you can use a hand sprayer to
direct the spray better.

I hope this helps.

Guy Bradley
Chesterfield MO
zone 6