Goosegrass Control: How To Get Rid of Goosegrass

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

Goosegrass is a warm-weather weed that easily stands out due to its spread-out tufts of grass and blades that resemble little fingers. It is a resilient grass that can establish itself in a variety of soils, even ones that are compacted and stressed. Although it is an annual grass, in tropical conditions, it could be perennial.

Goosegrass is especially common in areas with heavy foot traffic or along sidewalks or walkways. This explains why athletic fields and golf courses are commonly infested by goosegrass. Goosegrass also likes to grow in areas where the weather fluctuates constantly.

Goosegrass has thick leaf blades that are difficult to cut with a mower. Even after a close trim, lawn grass will look unkempt and unattractive if the weed is present. Goosegrass is most prominent in warm summer but may persist into winter in temperate zones.

If you are tired of dealing with goosegrass on your lawn, our DIY goosegrass treatment guide will show you exactly what you need to do to get rid of it permanently. Follow our step-by-step instructions and use our professional herbicide recommendations, and you will remove goosegrass and save money, too.

Identification

Before proceeding with a treatment program, you need to properly identify goosegrass by knowing what it looks like. Misidentification of goosegrass can lead to you using the wrong herbicides, which can cost you time and money. Here are some traits to look out for when identifying goosegrass:

• Goosegrass is a dark-green-colored weed with a whitish-to-silver coloration at the base of the plant, which can be seen in the center. It grows from the central crown with branches spreading out in a prostrate (or wagon-wheel-like) rosette pattern. 
• Leaf blades and sheaths are smooth on both surfaces, but they can be lightly hairy near the base of the weed. The more this weed grows, the fewer the hairs will be. Leaves growing closer to the base may be slightly hairy. Younger goosegrass leaves will be folded in the bud and later flatten out as the plant matures. The leaf blades of this weed are about 1/3 of an inch wide and 8 inches long, but on average, they reach 2 feet long when they are left to grow. 
• After germination, goosegrass will produce flowers that appear as finger-like spikes. These flowers are seedheads covered by a light layer of fruit tissue. Each seedhead contains 2 to 7 spikes that form at the tip of the seed stalk, resembling a zipper. Two rows of flattened spikes appear along each spike. 

Use the descriptions and images above to help you identify goosegrass. If you are not sure whether the weed on your lawn is goosegrass, contact us, and we will properly Identify the plant for you, as well as give you the proper product recommendations and tips on how to kill goosegrass.

Inspection

After you have confirmed that the weed you are encountering is goosegrass, you can proceed with an inspection. During this phase, you will need to pinpoint the areas where goosegrass is growing and the conditions that allow the weed to thrive. This will help you determine where to focus your herbicide treatment.

Where to Inspect

Goosegrass grows in compact, wet soil or areas with thin turf cover. 

This weed commonly appears in agricultural fields, open grounds, landscaped areas, gardens, crop fields, road sides, railroad tracks, orchards, parks, grazed pastures, athletic fields, golf course turf, and other disturbed areas. 

What To Look For

Goosegrass will begin to germinate when soil temperatures are between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Look for grass growing in spread-out tufts, with blades that spread out like fingers. 

Another distinguishing trait is that this grass can stick to your clothing if you brush up against it because of all the small hairs it has.

Treatment

Be sure to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when mixing and applying any herbicides. 

Controlling goosegrass can be particularly difficult since it has been known to become completely resistant to various pre- and post-emergent herbicide applications. Our recommendations have the best potential for managing goosegrass on your lawn.

For already established goosegrass, apply Expel Turf Herbicide, a selective, systemic herbicide that does a great job against goosegrass and other weeds while sparing harm to desired turfgrasses.

Step 1: Measure the Yard and Mix Expel Turf Herbicide

Deterimine how much Expel Turf Herbicide 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, divide the square footage by one acre (square footage / 43,560 sq. ft. = acres). 

To get rid of goosegrass in cool-seasoned turf, apply 4 to 8 oz. of Expel Turf Herbicide per 10 gallons of water per acre.

To get rid of goosegrass in warm-seasoned turf, use 8 to 12 oz. of product per 10 gallons of water per acre.

We recommend using a spray rig due to this product's high-volume spraying applications. 

Step 2: Apply Expel Turf Herbicide

Once your product is thoroughly mixed, broadcast Expel Turf Herbicide evenly over the area.

When applied properly, affected weeds will turn yellow and begin to die. If signs of recovery are observed, a follow-up application may be necessary.

A reapplication with Expel Turf Herbicide may be made after 35 days.

Prevention

Once goosegrass has been eliminated from your property, you will need to implement preventative measures to ensure that it does not return.

• The best way to keep goosegrass off your lawn is by preventing it from growing. We recommend using a pre-emergent called Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide Prodiamine Granular. Applying at the right time will help keep goosegrass seeds from germinating on your lawn. Depending on your turf grass species, you will apply 1.5 to 4 pounds of product per 1,000 square feet. Load the measured amount of granules into a calibrated hand or push spreader. Next, apply the product until your treatment area is covered evenly to get a uniform application. After broadcasting the granules, you will water and activate them with at least 0.5 inches of water. Make an application in the fall to stop seeds from germinating in spring.
• Some cultural practices can help keep goosegrass away. Goosegrass is known to be persistent and will grow in bare areas if not managed right away. Overseed bare areas to prevent goosegrass seeds from germinating. Leaving no room for goosegrass to germinate will surely kill the unwanted weeds. Additionally, mow your grass at proper intervals to maintain a thick growing density. A lawn dense with taller trimmed grass can better choke out weeds and prevent them from establishing. 
• Reduce the shade cast on your lawn by trimming overgrown shrubbery and tree branches, raking away leaf litter and picking up any debris, and employing a proper watering schedule to provide the local grass with enough water to strengthen its roots but not so much that it encourages weeds. Many grasses require 1 inch of water every week. Apply the water all at once in the morning so it has time to seep into the ground without evaporating in the sun.

Key Takeaways

What is Goosegrass?

• Goosegrass is a difficult-to-control summer annual weed that has been popping up everywhere across the United States and other regions.

How To Get Rid of Goosegrass

• We recommend post-emergent treatment of goosegrass by using Expel Turf Herbicide.

Preventing Reinfestation of Goosegrass

• Preventing goosegrass from returning with Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide Prodiamine Granular before the growing season to keep goosegrass weed seeds from germinating.