[Arid_gardener] Nut Grass

[Dick]

A few years ago, 1995, I removed a heartily growing patch of nut grass taking over wire grass and ancient Bermuda adjacent to the East side of the building at the Cooperative Extension at 4341 East Broadway. I used my own roto-tiller to turn the entire mass into dust and sifted every cubic inch of soil to at least six inches to eight inches deep. Every bit of the root mass was sifted through an 18x30 inch box with 1/2inch screen.. We hauled many bushels of stolens to the dumpster while being subject to ridicule from nearly every passerby. "You will never get rid of that Grass.  Ha, ha, ha, ha!"

We started planting warm climate plants immediately and for the first six months or so, we pricked a blade of grass out here and there but I have not seen a single blade of nut or bermuba grass in at least ten years. Most veteran Gardeners will swear that you cannot get rid of either without chemicals but we did so without a chemical of any kind. It may be a lot of work but you have my word and testement that it can be accomplished.

It could be done with weed killers, I suppose, and I would have no compunction about using them under different circumstances or in a different local.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension



----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Wayne Clonts 
  To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 4:13 PM
  Subject: [Arid_gardener] Nut Grass


   

  Hello All:  

   

  I live in Gilbert, Arizona.  Two years ago I changed my front yard from desert landscaping to Bermuda grass.  The first winter I successfully planted annual rye.  This winter I planted perennial rye.  The rye came in very well, but also so did a lot of nut grass.  What can I do?  Twice I have gone through a pulled all the plugs of nut grass, but when I do even more nut grass returns.  My nice lawn has made terrible turn.  Please help.  Thanks for you input.  

   



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