Native to Africa, goosegrass is now found in many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. It’s a weed that is most common in warm climates, but it can also be found in cooler climates.

Considered a nuisance weed, goosegrass is a weed that is a problem in lawns and gardens because it:

Competes with desirable plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight
Crowds out desirable plants
Makes it difficult to mow lawns
Can cause allergies

Identifying Goosegrass

Goosegrass is a grassy weed that is often mistaken for other types of weeds, such as crabgrass or quackgrass. A member of the grass family, Poaceae, it is a master of disguise and blends in well with healthy turf grass. However, there are still ways to identify goosegrass by looking for its key characteristics.

Stems: Goosegrass stems are flat and green, pale green, or occasionally silverish in hue. They are also large and hairy.
Flowers: Goosegrass flowers are light green in color.
Growth Pattern: Goosegrass grows in clusters, branching out in a wagon-wheel-like shape with long, narrow leaves.

Life Cycle Of Goosegrass

Being an annual weed, goosegrass completes its life cycle in a single year. It germinates in the spring, grows throughout the summer, and produces seeds in the fall. The seeds can remain dormant in the soil for several years before germinating.

Germination

Goosegrass seeds germinate in the spring when the soil temperature reaches 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The seeds need sunlight to germinate, so they rarely germinate in shady areas.

Growth

Like most grassy weeds, goosegrass grows quickly and can reach a height of 12 inches. They have thin, wiry stems and long, narrow leaves. Goosegrass plants are green in color, but they can turn red in the fall.

Flowers & Seeds

Goosegrass plants produce small, white flowers in the summer. The flowers are followed by seeds that are about 1/8 inch long. The seeds are easily identified by their dark brown color and pointed tip.

Seed Dispersal

Goosegrass seeds are dispersed by wind, water, and animals. The seeds can remain dormant in the soil for several years before germinating, making it difficult to completely eradicate from your garden.

Control Methods

Goosegrass is a weed that can be difficult to control, but a few things can be done to prevent or control goosegrass infestations. These methods should be researched and implemented with care, as any action taken can negatively affect surrounding grass and plants. Below is a list of ways that can be used to control and eliminate goosegrass from your lawn.

Biological Control Method

While not the most popular, biological control has gained popularity over the years as a natural method of getting rid of these nuisance weeds from your lawn. Biological method is done by controlling pests and weeds by using natural enemies, such as insects, mites, nematodes, or fungi. These natural enemies are often specific to their target pest or weed, and they can be used to reduce the weed population without harming beneficial plants or animals.

There are a number of biological control agents that have been investigated for the control of goosegrass, including:

The stem nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci, is a microscopic roundworm that feeds on the stems of goosegrass. It can cause the stems to wilt and die, and it can also reduce the number of seeds that goosegrass produces.
The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is another microscopic roundworm that feeds on the roots of goosegrass. It can cause the roots to swell and form galls, which can reduce the ability of the plant to take up water and nutrients.
The leafhopper, Empoasca fabae, is a small insect that feeds on the leaves of goosegrass. It can cause the leaves to yellow and die, and it can also transmit viruses to goosegrass.
The weevil, Listronotus lecontei, is a small beetle that feeds on the stems and leaves of goosegrass. It can cause the stems to wilt and die, and it can also damage the leaves.
The fungus, Bipolaris setariae, is a fungus that causes a leaf spot disease on goosegrass. The disease can cause the leaves to turn yellow and die, reducing the number of goosegrass’s seeds.

While these agents have shown promise in controlling and eradicating goosegrass from your lawn, they can negatively impact other plants or animals. More research is needed to develop effective and safe biological control agents for goosegrass.

It is important to note that these are just a few of the biological control agents that have been investigated for the control of goosegrass. Many other agents have not yet been tested, and new and more effective agents will likely be developed in the future.

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Cultural Control Method

Cultural control is a method of controlling pests and weeds by managing the environment in a way that makes it less favorable for the pest or weed to survive or reproduce.

There are a number of cultural control methods that can be used to control goosegrass, including:

Mulching. Mulching helps to suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight and moisture.
Hand Pulling. Hand pulling is a labor-intensive method of controlling goosegrass, but it can be adequate for small infestations.
Cultivating. Cultivating the soil helps to uproot goosegrass plants and prevent them from re-establishing.

It is important to note that cultural control methods are only sometimes effective in controlling goosegrass. In some cases, chemical control methods may be necessary. However, cultural control methods can effectively reduce the goosegrass population and make it more difficult for the weed to establish.

Chemical Control Method

There are a number of herbicides that can be used to control goosegrass. The best herbicide to use will depend on the specific situation, including the type of turfgrass, the severity of the infestation, and the time of year.

Some of the most common herbicides used to control goosegrass include:

2,4-D. 2,4-D is a broad-spectrum herbicide that is effective against a variety of weeds, including goosegrass. It is available as a liquid or a granular herbicide.
MCPP. MCPP is another broad-spectrum herbicide that is effective against goosegrass. It is available as a liquid or a granular herbicide.
Triclopyr. Triclopyr is a selective herbicide that is effective against goosegrass. It is available as a liquid herbicide.
Imazapyr. Imazapyr is a selective herbicide that is effective against goosegrass. It is available as a liquid herbicide.

It is important to note that herbicides can be harmful to plants and animals. It is important to read and follow the label instructions carefully before using any herbicide. Because of the severe consequences of using these herbicides improperly, it is best to consult a lawn care professional.

Here are some additional tips for using herbicides to control goosegrass:

Apply herbicides when the weeds are actively growing.
Apply herbicides in the early morning or evening when the temperature is cooler.
Avoid applying herbicides on windy days.
Do not apply herbicides to wet foliage.
Water the lawn after applying herbicides.

It is important to note that herbicides are not always effective in controlling goosegrass. In some cases, multiple applications may be necessary. Rotating herbicides is important in order to prevent weeds from developing resistance.

Prevention

Here are some tips on how to prevent goosegrass from growing on your lawn:

Keep your lawn healthy. A healthy lawn is less susceptible to weeds. Make sure to water your lawn regularly, fertilize it according to the label instructions, and mow it at the correct height.
Aerate your lawn. Aerating your lawn helps improve drainage and oxygen levels, making it more difficult for goosegrass to establish.
Mulch your lawn. Mulch helps to suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight and moisture.
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Apply a post-emergent herbicide if goosegrass does establish. Post-emergent herbicides kill existing weeds.

It is important to note that no one method is guaranteed to prevent goosegrass from growing on your lawn. However, by following these tips, you can reduce the risk of goosegrass infestations.

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What Is Goosegrass?