How To Get Rid Of Fine Fescue Grass?
Unlike popular belief, fine fescue grass can often act like weeds that can leech the soil of nutrients. I’ve always been fascinated by this species of grass due to their will for survival. This feature also makes them very hard to get rid of. So, you might be pondering how to get rid of fine fescue grass with limited side effects.
There is no easy answer to this. Most of the time, you have no option but to use herbicides on the grass. You must be careful not to let the chemicals spread in the atmosphere. If that’s a risk you don’t want to take, then yanking them out from their roots is the way to go.
No matter which method you choose, make sure you take enough precautions beforehand. Working with chemicals in an open atmosphere is not a joke!
Ways To Get Rid Of Fine Fescue Grass
Fine fescue grass is usually more abundant in cold regions with overcast skies. They barely need any sunlight to grow and tend to be very stubborn. You might not mind having fescue grass in your yard until you want to plant seeds. These types of grass are very competitive when it comes to nutrients.
They can deprive the new seeds of nutrients by taking in most of them. Due to this reason, they are often categorized as weeds. So, if you want to find the best and easiest ways to remove these parasites, continue reading this article.
Using herbicides
If your backyard is riddled with fine fescue grass, you might have no choice other than using chemicals. These herbicides tend to be very strong and can harm you upon extended exposure. Hence, it’s wise to practice some precautions before using them.
Take Precautions
Try to take all the necessary precautions before you even open the canister. Make sure to cover as much skin as possible, and always wear safety goggles. A dust mask should be enough to protect your lungs. Also, wear gloves at all times during this process.
Use Spray Bottle
You must pour the herbicide into a convenient spray bottle to make the process easier. Picking the right type of bottle is extremely important. Always make sure the spray mechanism is in perfect condition or else you might have to change bottles midway. Choose a spray nozzle that doesn’t block easily.
Use Glyphosate Herbicides
Herbicides consist of different types of chemicals that are harmful to plants. You need to look out for a specific type of ingredient called glyphosate. Herbicides containing glyphosate only react with plants that you spray on. They don’t spread in the atmosphere and affect neighboring plants in the process.
Let The Grass Grow
Keep in mind that the fine fescue grass should be at least 4 inches tall for the herbicide to work at optimal levels. The bigger the surface area the faster the chemicals start working. These chemicals are powerful enough to eliminate smaller blades of grass as well. However, you might observe a slower effect.
Apply Herbicide
All you need for the next step is a decent sprayer to apply the herbicide. You can use a flat fan nozzle, which allows you to spray ample amounts of chemicals at once. Try to be generous with the application where fescue grass is most abundant. I’ll recommend carrying out this method when the wind dies down.
Otherwise, a strong breeze can push the herbicide to other plants in the garden. Keep spraying until all fescue weed in your yard is covered.
Pull Out The Roots
If you are scared of the underlying hazards that come with herbicides, then I have a more straightforward and natural solution. You can permanently get rid of fine fescue grass if you dig out the roots. This method takes a lot of effort, so you should only do this if you have small patches of fine fescue grass.
For this, you need to locate the fine fescue grass in your garden. You can easily expose the roots by pulling on the fescue grass with your hands. It might be easier to remove if you dig around the roots. This will expose the roots without much hassle.
Remove the entire root to remove the possibility of fine fescue weed growth in the future. Put grass to good use instead of throwing it in the trashcan. You can recycle them by laying the grass out in the sunlight. Dried fescue grass can serve as good compost.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is fine fescue grass?
This type of grass barely requires any sunlight or water to survive. They usually grow in cold climates and tend to be very stubborn. They are often considered parasites as they snatch nutrients away from nearby plants. Fine fescue grass can grow to its maximum height without the use of fertilizers.
2. Which herbicide is best for removing fine fescue grass?
There is an herbicide named tenacity which is excellent at eliminating fine fescue grass in your lawn. You will notice extremely fast effects after applying this herbicide. However, they also have negative environmental effects when they mix with the atmosphere.
3. Is tall fescue the same as fine fescue grass?
Although they boast a similar appearance, fine fescue and tall fescue are not exactly the same. Both of them need the least amount of maintenance to grow well. You can distinguish fine fescue from tall fescue by measuring the height. Fine fescue can’t grow longer 4 inches, unlike tall fescue grass.
4. Can bluegrass take over fine fescue grass?
The simple answer is no because they have different growing conditions. Fine fescue thrives under the shade, whereas bluegrass only grows near dead grass. On the other hand, fine fescue can tolerate higher temperatures than bluegrass.
Final Words
I bet you have enough information by now to answer the question of how to get rid of fine fescue grass from your lawn. Now you can choose either the natural or chemical-induced method. Yes, using chemicals will make things faster, but you can go the natural way if you don’t have the precautions ready.
