Johnsongrass Control

Quick Information
Johnsongrass Control

Johnsongrass Control

Most Effective Products

Certainty Turf Herbicide
Water Dispersible Granule (WDG)
As low as $111.90
Nanotek Surfactant
Surfactant
As low as $27.99
Keith's Pro Tips

"Johnsongrass spreads by seeds and underground rhizomes so as a result, this weed can be difficult to control with one method alone. For the most success, you need to combine the use of herbicides with organic, cultural control methods. If the weed shows resistance to Certainty, you may have to use Glyphosate."

Johnsongrass Control: How To Get Rid of Johnsongrass

Johnsongrass is a warm-season perennial grass weed that is hated by agricultural farmers because its presence reduces yields in corn, grain sorghum, soybean, cotton, and leguminous forages. The weed got its name from a farmer who introduced the species to his farm in Alabama in 1840s, Colonel William Johnson. Now, Johnsongrass is found in nearly every state in the country except for Minnesota and has been labeled a noxious weed in 19 states.

Johnsongrass is native to the Mediterranean and was initially introduced to North America in 1830 as a forage crop and for stabilizing ditches. Since then, it has been an eyesore and headache to get rid of for agricultural and residential areas because of its tendency to crowd out desirable plants and destroying food and shelter for wildlife.

A single plant of Johnsongrass can produce over 5,000 seeds which can lay dormant for up to 20 years. This weed is especially tough because it can be poisonous to cattle and horses. If you get an early frost or an extreme drought, you cannot let cattle and horses graze on any johnsongrass because it contains enough hydrogen cyanide to actually kill cattle and horses which can be a serious worry.

Our lawn care experts have put together this guide to show you exactly what you need to remove Johnsongrass from your property permanently. Follow our step-by-step instructions below and use our recommended products to the side to be successful in getting rid of Johnsongrass.

Identification

Before you can carry out treatment applications, you need to identify and be sure the weed you are dealing with is Johnsongrass and not some other weed. Misidentification can lead to choosing the wrong herbicides, which can be a waste of time and money.

  • Johnsongrass can be mistaken with similar perennial grasses like Vaseygrass and Guinea Grass. The difference with Johnsongrass is that Johnsongrass is a vigorous, coarse, perennial grass with scaly root stalks.
  • Johnsongrass reproduces by underground rhizomes and seeds. Johnsongrass leaves are broad and can grow between 3 to 6 feet tall.
  • The various seeds that Johnsongrass grows in the fall can be yellow to purplish in color, appearing out of a spread out, open seedhead.

Use our description and image above to help you to identify Johnsongrass correctly. If you are not sure whether the weed on your lawn is Johnsongrass, contact us and we will properly ID the plant for you as well as give you product recommendations for control.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that you are dealing with Johnsongrass, you can then carry out an inspection. During this phase, you will need to locate the areas where Johnsongrass is growing most and analyze the conditions that are conducive to Johnsongrass thriving in the area. This will help you to determine your treatment approach and where to focus herbicide applications.

Where to Inspect

Johnsongrass often appears in soil that has been disturbed at the edges of flowerbeds or in newly planted lawns. It can also grow along irrigation ditches or stream bottoms; and along roadsides or cracks between sidewalks.

What To Look For

Note where the Johnsongrass is growing and how big of a problem you have before proceeding with control options which may be a combination of cultural and chemical control methods.

Treatment

Before chemical application, please make sure to equip yourself with personal protective equipment for your personal safety (Glasses, gloves and particle mask).

We recommend attacking the Johnsongrass early, before the summertime, when the growth of the plant is still active and before it gets to the seedling stage. We recommend applying Certainty Herbicide, which is labeled to treat Johnsongrass and other perennial and annual grasses.

Step 1: Mix and Apply Certainty Herbicide

Sprayer Lawn Care

Certainty Herbicide is a selective, post-emergent herbicide meaning that it will only target the weeds on the label and not cause any harm to your desired grasses. It comes in water dispersible granule form and comes with a convenient measuring scooper for precise measuring.

Before mixing Certainty into your sprayer, determine how much Certainty you need by measuring the square footage of your target area (measure and calculate the length of your lawn x width).

For general spot treatments, you can treat 1,000 sq. ft. by using a 0.75 to 1.25 ounces of Certainty (3 to 5 small scoops) in 2 gallons of water. For acerage applications, apply 1.25 to 2.0 oz. of product per acre. If you are using the rate 1.25 oz. per acre then a second application may be made 4 or more weeks after first application.

A good tool to use to aid with your herbicide application is mixing your selected herbicide with a surfactant like Nanotek Surfactant so that your application can stick to the Johnsongrass and not runoff. The label says to add 2 teaspoons (1/3 fl. oz.) of nonionic surfactant per gallon of water. Fill your sprayer 3/4ths of the way with water then add in the appropriate amount of Certainty then fill the rest of the way with water and add in the surfactant near the end of the filling and shake the sprayer.

Once the product is well-mixed in your sprayer, apply the product to the Johnsongrass using a fan nozzle setting. This will shoot a mist that will evenly coat the Johnsongrass.

After applications are made, we recommend drowning the Johnsongrass with at least 2 inches of water as this can kill the rhizome network underneath the soil. Shading and baking the johnsongrass under a tarp can also be a good assist to the use of herbicides.

We recommend follow up applications after 4 or more weeks until the Johnsongrass is completely dead.

Prevention

Mowing grass

If you've successfully been able to eliminate Johnsongrass, you will want to make sure it doesn't make a return. The seeds of Johnsongrass that are missed during the herbicide applications can remain viable for as long as 10 years so it is best to prevent the seeds from being spread to begin with via methods such as tilling the soil. Doing so will bring up the rhizomes and seed heads of Johnsongrass so they can be disposed of.

Aside from this, the best defense against Johnsongrass is keeping your turf thick and healthy to discourage undesired plants from establishing. Mow at the right height and address any bare spots or thinning via reseeding. If your lawn is lush and strong it will outcompete weeds like Johnsongrass.

Key Takeaways

What is Johnsongrass?

  • Johnsongrass is an aggressive perennial weed that is known to be resistant to herbicide treatments and can get out of control in a hurry.

How to Get Rid of Johnsongrass

  • We recommend either using a post-emergent treatment of Certainty Herbicide to eliminate Johnsongrass.

Preventing Johnsongrass Reinfestation

  • To prevent a return of Johnsongrass, till the soil and keep up a good lawn maintenance schedule that will promote a thick, healthy lawn.

A good tool to use to aid with your herbicide application is mixing your selected herbicide with a surfactant so that your application can stick to the Johnsongrass and not runoff.

  1. Size:
    SOLUTIONS
    Solutions Sprayer - 1 Gallon Poly
    $36.99 - $36.99
  2. Size:
    MONSANTO
    Certainty Turf Herbicide
    $111.90 - $111.90
  3. Size:
    SOLUTIONS
    Nanotek Surfactant
    $27.99 - $98.99
  4. Size:
    QUALI-PRO
    Prodoxaben G Pre-Emergent Herbicide
    $169.99 - $169.99
  5. Size:
    QUALI-PRO
    Prodoxaben 3.7 SC
    $549.99 - $549.99
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