Ugly Clump Grass Killer

Ugly Clump Grass Killer admin December 4, 2024

UGLY CLUMP GRASS KILLER IN LAWNS

Coarse Fescue, Native Grass, and Brome Grass Control

Is There a Way to Kill These Ugly Grasses in the Lawn?

Common perennial grasses that invade lawns include coarse fescue, smooth brome, field grasses, and other native varieties. These thick-bladed grasses disrupt lawn uniformity, leaving many homeowners wondering how if there is an “effective ugly grass control” that won’t damage their desirable turf.

Yes There is a Way to Control these Grasses!

For years, controlling tall fescue and other coarse grasses was challenging, requiring non-selective herbicides like glyphosate, which kill all vegetation on contact—resulting in large, unsightly brown patches that demand reseeding or sodding.  Fortunately, a game-changing solution is now available: Tenacity. This selective herbicide effectively targets coarse-bladed grasses without harming desirable turf, making it an excellent choice for restoring a lush, uniform lawn with minimal disruption.

This is Unimporved Coarse Fescue
(A Perennial Grass)

Ugly Clump Grass Killer
Banish Ugly Clump Grasses! Restore your lawn’s uniform look by targeting invasive clump grasses with Tenacity—a powerful selective herbicide that eliminates coarse-bladed grasses without harming your turf. Say goodbye to patchy, uneven lawns!

How to Tell the Difference Between Crabgrass and Other Clump Grasses

Are those unsightly clumps of grass in your lawn crabgrass? It’s unlikely—but you can easily find out. If the grass started sprouting in June, it is likely an annual weed, such as crabgrass. However, if it has been thriving year-round, it is most likely a perennial grass, not crabgrass.  

How to Tell the Difference Between Crabgrass and Other Clump Grasses

Crabgrass is one of the easiest grassy weeds to control when treated with Drive XLR8. Unlike other invasive clump grasses that require multiple treatments, Drive XLR8 eliminates crabgrass with just one application when applied correctly. It works by penetrating the weed’s tissue, stopping its growth, and ultimately killing it at the root. For best results, apply Drive XLR8 when crabgrass is young and actively growing, typically in mid-summer. This fast-acting solution helps restore your lawn’s uniformity without the need for excessive retreatments, making crabgrass control quick, effective, and hassle-free.

This is Crabgrass
(An Annual Grass)

How to Identify Crabgrass
Take control of your lawn with Drive XLR8, a powerful herbicide that eliminates crabgrass with just one application. Say goodbye to those invasive weeds and hello to a lush, healthy lawn!

Perennial Clump Grasses Are Now Controllable

Three Consecutive Applications

Back-to-Back-to-Back Sprays

To effectively address those unsightly grasses in your lawn, consider the powerful solution of back-to-back-to-back applications of Tenacity, a specialized weed control product. Our experience shows that this approach can achieve an impressive control rate of 50-90% or even higher. The most significant results are often seen with grasses that resemble field grasses, while grasses more akin to turfgrass yield lower control rates. This occurs because turf-like grasses are frequently hybrids of improved turfgrass and native grass. Since Tenacity is non-toxic to improved turfgrasses, these hybrids are less likely to be effectively managed.

Applications are Spaced 7-12 Days Apart

The treatment process involves three applications spaced about 7-12 days apart. Our technician will carefully spot spray the unwanted clumps in your lawn, and by the second application, you’ll likely notice the grasses starting to turn white. The third application will ensure their demise, allowing desirable grasses to reclaim the space in the following weeks.

We Treated the Left Side

The grass on the left was treated with 3s application, while the taller grass on the right was not treated. Notice the grass turning white on the left vs the green grass on the right.

A Very Unique Herbicide

What sets Tenacity apart is its unique formulation containing mesotrione, a synthetic herbicide recognized for its effectiveness. While mesotrione originates from a naturally occurring compound in the bottlebrush plant, its commercial formulation classifies it as a synthetic chemical. However, if it were directly extracted from the plant, it would be considered organic.

Why Does Tenacity Turn Plants White?

Mesotrione functions by inhibiting the enzyme HPPD, crucial for photosynthesis. It also halts carotenoid formation in susceptible plants, leading to the destruction of chlorophyll and cell membranes. This process causes the grass to turn white, ultimately resulting in its death. Within just 2-3 weeks after application, you’ll start to see the stark contrast with white blades appearing, signaling the beginning of a healthier lawn. Don’t let these unsightly grasses take over—opt for Tenacity and watch your lawn transform!

White Means the Weed Control is Working

The grass on the left was treated with 3s application, while the taller grass on the right was not treated. Notice the grass turning white on the left vs the green grass on the right.

Ugly Clump Grass Killer for Lawns

Will My Clump Grass Die?

Due to the large number of grass varieties, we cannot guarantee control over all fescues and other grasses. However, we have observed that the closer the grass resembles field grass, the better control we achieve. 

We Only Treat the Large Clumps

This treatment is designed as a spot spray for targeting a few clumps of unwanted grass within an existing lawn. However, for lawns that are heavily infested with these grasses, it’s important to set realistic expectations. In cases where the lawn is completely overrun, we recommend a more effective approach: removing the entire lawn and starting fresh, rather than attempting to reclaim it with spot treatments.

If you have coarse tall fescue, brome or pasture grasses growing in your Boulder or Fort Collins area lawn, call Organo-Lawn today and schedule an application to kill those grasses.

Less Likely to be Controlled

This coarse tall fescue appears to be a hybrid of unimproved and turf-type varieties, making it less likely to be effectively controlled. The closer the clump grass resembles an improved turf-type variety, the more resistant it tends to be to Tenacity applications, reducing the likelihood of successful eradication.

More Likely to be Controlled

Native-Clump-Grass
This clump of grass is lighter in color and more closely resembles a native grass, making it more likely to respond to three consecutive applications of Tenacity. However, it's important to note that we cannot predict with certainty which grasses will be affected and which will remain resistant until after the treatments have been applied.

Tenacity Pesticide Fact Sheets

Application Season

Anytime that the grass is actively growing. This can be as early as April to the end of September.

This clump grass is turning white which means it will be controlled by the three consecutive applications of Tenacity.

Tenacity Pesticide Fact Sheets

Coarse Fescue, Native Grass, and Brome Treatment Information Sheets

TENACITY LABEL PDF

TENACITY SDS PDF

Tenacity herbicide is registered with the EPA by BASF, EPA reg. #100-1267.

This post-emergent coarse fescue treatment is also registered with the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Schedule a Ugly Clump Grass Killer for Lawns

 (303) 499-2000 in Boulder or (970) 225-9425 in Fort Collins.

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TREATMENT