NewsThe most common and widely planted bentgrass is creeping bentgrass. It is typically used on golf putting greens since it can withstand regular, low mowing as well as foot usage. Creeping bentgrass aggressively grows horizontal stems known as stolons that run along the surface of the soil. Under favorable growth circumstances, this allows creeping bentgrass to create thick stands and outcompete other grasses and broadleaf weeds, becoming a nuisance weed in a lawn. It is a cold-season grass that prefers a chilly, humid climate and spreads most actively in the spring. Creeping bentgrass has long, thin leaves that are a lighter green than bluegrass. Bentgrass is less drought-tolerant than bluegrass and will turn brown more easily when stressed by heat. It is also very susceptible to illness. It is simple to recognize once you are acquainted with its look.
Creeping bentgrass infiltrates lawns by beginning as a tiny spot and spreading over time. The seed may have been blown in or carried in on someone else’s lawn mower, or it could have been in the soil for some time before circumstances were favorable for germination.
Spraying your lawn with glyphosate-containing pesticide is an efficient technique to get rid of creeping bentgrass. Herbicides containing glyphosate, such as Roundup, are nonselective, which means they will kill beneficial grasses as well as any other plants whose foliage they reach. Follow the instructions on the label of any herbicide you use. Spray approximately a foot outside the creeping bentgrass cluster to ensure complete removal. When the creeping bentgrass is actively developing, the herbicide will be most effective.
You may also dig out the spreading bentgrass clumps, but make sure you get all of the roots. If your yard is highly plagued with creeping bentgrass, just tilling and installing sod may not be enough to get rid of it. Choosing to replace the whole yard is a decision depending on the amount of the weeds and the quality of the current grass, as well as your objectives. Improving cultural techniques may significantly enhance the quality of a lawn without the labor of replacing sod or seed.
If you only have a few weeks to get rid of the bentgrass on your bluegrass lawn, another alternative is to use Tenacity, a selective herbicide. This pesticide also works on other grass weeds and is most effective while the weeds are actively developing. To gain excellent control, you’ll probably need to treat the bentgrass with three treatments spaced seven to ten days apart. As the chemical takes effect, the bentgrass will become white, then brown. After you’ve successfully eradicated the bentgrass, aerate the lawn and overseed with a bluegrass combination. You might also apply the seed using a slit seeder. This method will take longer to remove the bentgrass, but it may be a good way to prevent entirely ripping up areas of your yard.