Sage grass, also known as broomsedge grass, is a native and perennial weed found on lawns or hay fields.
It has hairy flattened leaf sheaths that grow from a basal crown and has folded young leaves.
When young, the plant is bluish-green and turns brown after maturity.
It’s native to North America, but it has been introduced in other regions as well.
A healthy and lush lawn is less likely to be invaded by sage grass as it grows best in unhealthy soil.
One way to control sage grass growth in your turfgrass is by frequently organic fertilizers as it performs poorly in nitrogen-rich soils.
How To Get Rid Of Sage Grass
It’s a hardy perennial weed that can grow up to four feet tall. In the early spring, it produces showy flowers on its stems and leaves.
It is also called “tumbleweed” because of how easily it breaks off pieces from itself as it rolls across the ground in the wind or when people pull at it.
Once you’ve pulled all of the sage grass out by hand, your best bet for keeping them away is mulching with wood chips or straw over the winter months–or just pulling up new plants before they get too big.
Also read on how to get rid of mushrooms.
Ways Of Getting Rid Of Sage Grass
- If you want to remove the grass with a lawnmower, make sure it’s not too tall, as sage is one of those weeds that can be tough to cut.
Try tilling and pulling by hand if this weed has grown in patches near your garden or other areas where you need to keep the grass.
- You can also use a pre-emergent herbicide to stop it from growing in your lawn.
If you are going to choose this approach, make sure that what you buy is made for sage and not another type of weed.
Some products will kill any vegetation they come into contact with while others only work on specific plants.
- If you have a small patch of sage that has grown near your garden, try tilling the area with a shovel and pulling out the roots from deep in the soil.
This can be tough work if it is all over your yard or other areas where you don’t want to dig up grass, though.
You might also want to try cutting off the tops of the plants with a weed whacker or other tool.
- If you have sage growing in your lawn, use a herbicide that has been approved by organic standards if possible, as these will be safer for pets and wildlife.
Otherwise, make sure the product is safe for humans and mammals before spraying it.
- If you have a large area of sage, it may be worth hiring professionals to take care of the problem.
They will typically use a safe herbicide for other grasses and flowers but are more effective than what homeowners can buy themselves.
How To Get Rid Of Sage Grass In Hay Field
Sage grass is a non-native plant that has been steadily spreading across the western United States.
It competes with native plants and can cause significant ecological damage if it spreads too far.
For hay fields, sage grass will grow between the rows of plants and choke out most other species from growing there.
This makes it difficult to get good yields from hay fields.
- The best way to control sage grass is through manual removal and active management with a herbicide if the problem persists.
This will hopefully provide more time for native plants to grow back in their stead, restoring balance and sustainability to your ecosystem.
- Manual removal may not be enough for some locations, and the only solution may be to burn sage grass.
This is the last resort as it can cause significant damage to the ecosystem in this area.
- If you are not sure what kind of plant you have, contact your local garden center and ask for help with identifying it.
They will most likely be able to tell by sight or smell if they cannot identify it through other means.
What To Use To Spray Fields With A Lot Of Sage Grass
What to use for spraying fields with sage grass?
To control sage grass species that are not considered weeds or invasive, growers can apply herbicides such as Tordon® (Picloram) or Roundup® (Glyphosate).
This process should be done twice a year, in March and August.
The herbicides can kill the plant but would not harm other plants nearby because of its slow-acting time.
The herbicides can kill the plant but would not harm other plants nearby because of its slow-acting time:
This treatment only kills the new growth, so applying this repeatedly is necessary for effective weed control.
Sprayers should follow label directions when spraying and cover crops for up to five days after application or until they are dry – whichever comes first.
They need to be aware that this treatment will only kill the new growth, so applying this repeatedly is necessary for effective weed control.
Final Thoughts On Sage Grass
Now you’ve some information on sage grass and how to get rid of it.
Sage grass can destroy the appearance of your lawn, giving it an unattractive look.
Once you notice growth of the grass, get rid of it as early as possible before reseeding.
As I mentioned, earlier sage grass might be a sign that your soil is unhealthy.
To keep sage grass away, ensure your soil is enriched and has sufficient nitrogen content.