Question
QUESTION: I have had Nut grass and some crabgrass before,but now these two have just about taken over. I have seen some products that vow they can kill both. My question is, if these products do the job, what about re-seeding. My lawn looks to be about 30 nut grass, about 30crabgrass and the rest looks okay. Is there any products that you know that will work.
Larry in Cincinnati.

ANSWER: Larry:
Thank you for telling me where you are from - the home of P&G and the Reds.
I did not know nutgrass grew up north.  It will be hard to control much less eradicate.
There are some mixtures of herbicides with 2-4D that are effective.  I attended a workshop on weed control recently and found that the characterisitics of 2-4D variants is wide.  In order to chooose one, I would ask your local ag agent for those choices.  There may be one which can serve you in other applications, like reduction of woody plants as well as nut grass.  Crabgrass should be easily controlled.
Key words in product search: 24d, Dicamba, MCPP, MSMA, DSMA or CAMA.  Weed B Gone ahs such a mixture.  The timing of apps are on the label.  I assume that you have a bluegrass base turf and desire to promote that one.  You are not in the region for St. Agustine or Centipede.
Both will take time and a specific program.  Part of that will be the reseeding or overseeding after treatment.  Treatment and overseeding will be an annual endeavor.  After a liquid application this summer, you may decide to convert to a granular app each spring for prevention a weed & feed product.
Within a few years, you should have a splendid lawn.
Best of luck,
Tom


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QUESTION: I actually thought I had Centipede grass, but I think it must be crabgrass. It vines out for what seems to be yards. Very hare to pull up. Is that typical of crabgrass? In regards to the nut grass. Do these treatments kill the nut? In regard to re-seeding. I read that over-seeding with rye grass will tend to choke the nut grass out. Please comment.  Could you give me a pounds of grass seed per thousand sq. ft ratio for normal seeding what would be considered over-seeding.
thank you so much. You have been so helpful
Larry Rogers
ANSWER: Larry:
Crabgrass grows as you describe.  It will be an easier foe than centipede or Bermuda.
Nutgrass is not so easy.  It will require some years of regular, well timed applications to reach control.  If you succeed, the nut should be gone.  It requires nuturing every year and, if you control the top, it should die.  I would not count on rye to save the day.  It gives out above 85 deg. F and nutgrass begins to grow then.
Overseeding rates may be less than seeding rates, depending on stand of grass.  For seeding, I would spread 3 lbs of fescue per thousand or .5 - .6 lbs of bluegrass for same.  If stand is good already, which you indicate it is not, sew one half that amount.
If you consider it a disaster and treat the lawn with a broad spectrum herbicide before, sew as you would for seeding anew.
Check with local ag agent for weed ID.  It will help make right choice for getting rid of it.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Just to clarify. We did experience drought conditions this year, now we are getting some rain. Although I seem to be the most serious case, the neighbors are also getting some of this blight. It seems to have a mind of it's own (like the BLOB) as it seems to move around. Last year my back yard, this year the front.
Thanks again
Larry Rogers

Answer
Larry:
The problem may be a lawn disease effecting your desired plants.  Please have a tissue analysis and, if available, a soil analysis for fungus or pests.  The symptoms of either or both will show up under stress, like drought.
A stress factor may take some time to kill a lawn, even if it is just drought.
Be sure to treat the problem before investing in a new lawn.  I used to mow acres of nutgrass which grew to heights above my head and know that it is a tough competitor.