Broomsedge Control: How To Get Rid of Broomsedge

This page is a general DIY guide for controlling broomsedge. Using the products and methods suggested you get control of broomsedge. Follow this DIY article and use the recommended products, and we guarantee 100% control of broomsedge.

Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) is a perennial native weed. Despite its name, Broomsedge is not actually a sedge, rather, it’s a grass. When mature, it is brown and dry compared to bluish-green when young. Its name comes from the fact that in the past when Broomsedge reached it’s reproductive stage, it produced a golden stem that was often cut, bound and used as a broom.

This weed thrives in grazed areas that have not been given enough care and maintenance. This allows Broomsedge to quickly take over because grazing animals tend to avoid the grassy weed. On pastures, broomsedge is known by the nickname "poverty grass" because it's of low-quality and lack of nutritional value. Livestock hate to eat it. Where ever Broomsedge has been established, grazing animals turn their attention to the more desired vegetation in the area and after depleting those sources, Broomsedge is left to thrive and survive in the environment.

Broomsedge that is growing on lawns are much easier to control than in pastures and the best way to do so on lawns is through cultural methods which allow the turfgrass to become thick and nutrient-rich, thus aiding in broomsedge control by choking it out of the landscape.

Our DIY Broomsedge treatment guide will show you exactly how to best get rid broomsedge from your property. Follow the step-by-step instructions below using the recommended herbicides to the right and you're guaranteed a successful removal of Broomsedge.

Identification

Before proceeding with a treatment program, you will need to be certain that you are dealing with a broomsedge infestation. Careless identification can lead you to using the wrong treatment methods which can be a waste of time and money. Below are the following characteristics to know what broomsedge looks like.

• Broomsedge is a perennial grass that has a clumping habit and has multiple stems emerging from one basal crown.
• Young or early growth starts off as green and erect, but soon turns a golden oragne and slowly becomes less erect. 
• Grows from 2 to 4 feet in height and has seed heads that have flowers ranging from green to reddish purple.  

Use the description and the image above to confirm whether you are dealing with broomsedge. If you’re unsure or can’t quite determine exactly which kind of weed you are encountering in your yard, contact us and we will help ID the weed for you. 

Inspection

Once confirmed that you are dealing with broomsedge, you can then move on to inspection. During this phase, you will locate areas where broomsedge is thriving and observe the conditions that are allowing it to thrive. This information will help you in knowing where to focus your herbicide application.

Where to Inspect

Broomsedge grows in open areas with exposed soil which could be sites such as fields, overgrazed pastures, and roadsides. 

What To Look For

Broomsedge sticks out like a sore thumb on ranges as it looks like grass but is distinguished by its ugly orangish-brown color. 

Once you have determined how severe of a problem you have (a minor issue or majorly taking over the entire landscape) you will then know where to focus your chemical herbicide applications.

Treatment

When handling any type of herbicide, you are properly protecting your skin and eyes with safety equipment. Wear protective eyewear, gloves and long-sleeved clothing.

Broomsedge is best removed manually but if you have a large infestation you may not have the time or the energy to be pulling or cutting down all of them. This is when chemical control would be best.

Unfortunately, there are no selective herbicides that can successfully treat broomsedge so you will have to use non-selective glyphosate-based herbicide. 

Be careful when spot treating so you don't get the chemical on your desired grasses as any non-selective herbicides will kill all vegetation it comes into contact with. 

Step 1: Apply Quali-Pro Glyphosate Plus Herbicide

Quali-Pro Glyphosate Plus Herbicide is a contact kill herbicide that will eliminate any weed it comes into contact with including broomsedge. Formulated with the active ingredient glyphosate 41.0%, this non-selective product will control weeds without leaving behind a residual in the soil of lawns and other terrians. 

Determine how much product to use by measuring the square footage of the treatment area. To do this, measure the length and width of the treatment area in feet then multiply them together (length X width = square footage). For acreage, take the square footage and divide it by one acre (square footage / 43,560 sq. ft. = acres).

Apply 1 to 2 quarts of Quali-Pro Glyphosate Plus Herbicide mixed with another product called Oust at a rate of 2-4 oz per acre. 

Spray the top and bottom of weeds until wet, but not to the point of runoff. 

For wide-scale applications you may need to mix and apply with a spray rig. 

Prevention

Once broomsedge has been eliminated from your property, you will need to implement some preventative measures which will ensure that this weed does not return.

• A lush and healthy lawn is less prone to invasion by the broomsedge plant. Broomsedge grass grows best in poor soil and disperses an allelopathic chemical that keeps wanted plants from growing. Properly fertilize your landscape at the best time recommended for your particular grass.
• Mow your grass regularly and at the right height. Broomsedge thrives on sunlight so keeping a lush lawn shades out weed seeds which hinders the growth of the weed. Reseed thin patches of turf in the lawn as an effective means of Broomsedge control.

Key Takeaways

What is Broomsedge?

• Broomsedge is a fast-growing perennial grass that is known to spread over agricultural sites, especially in the springtime.

How to Get Rid of Broomsedge

• We recommend using Quali-Pro Glyphosate Plus Herbicide to eliminate broomsedge from your property.

Preventing Broomsedge Reinfestations

• The best way to prevent broomsedge on lawns is through cultural methods that allow the turfgrass to become thick and nutrient-rich, thus aiding in broomsedge control by choking it out of the landscape.