Quackgrass
What is Quackgrass?
Quackgrass, sometimes referred to as couch or twitch grass, is a perennial field grass that is found in home lawns. Their roots can grow as long as 20-feet long and is often confused with Crabgrass.
A small amount of Quackgrass in a lawn usually blends in, however, if the amounts are too high, non-selective controls (killing the entire area and starting over) may be necessary.
Quick facts about the culture/reproduction of Quackgrass
- Quackgrass is faster-growing, lighter green in color, and a much thicker blade than desirable lawn grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass.
- Weak lawns are ideal sites for the invasion of unsightly Quackgrass.
- Infrequent grass cutting and poor watering habits encourage Quackgrass invasion.
- Quackgrass thrives in undernourished, weak lawns and will quickly spread throughout the lawn.
- Quackgrass reproduces most often by vigorous underground stems called rhizomes.
- Few people are aware of Quackgrass invasion until desirable grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass are crowded out.
- Quackgrass gives the lawn a coarse, uneven appearance.
Controlling Quackgrass
A small amount of Quackgrass usually will not cause a problem; however, if areas of the lawn become unsightly, they would have to be selectively killed off and re-seeded in the early fall season. Please call your local Weed Man for assistance or recommendations.