A question for LizThePot?

Here's the dilemma.....Poa annua. Having got rid of the couch grass over 2000m2, there's an awful lot of annual grass round the edges of the 'lawn' and it's invading the patches that the lawn seed mix didn't cover. I've been mowing quite closely to try to pick up as much seed as possible, but I'm wondering if there's a better/alternative solution? The Poa does die off once it gets hot and dry, but it'll be back next spring unless I can find a way of favouring the rye grass and fescue. Any ideas?

 

I am not Liz the pot ( obliviously ) but probably let the grow grow longer may push out the POA in time ? I say let the grass grow longer because I don't really see it in long grass, I not sure it will work though .

Poa will tolerate very close cutting and will grow across the ground lateral and still seed its the devil . I use a verticutter to annoy it , it will cut the lateral seed heads off and cut into the crown . The other option is to seed it and then cover with fleece to stop invading seeds.

 

Thanks for the reply, Perki If only there was some way to let the lawn grass grow without also allowing the Poa to seed! It's getting everywhere, though, as the cats and wild birds paddle it into the borders. It doesn't help that by the time the Poa dies off, it's way too hot and dry to contemplate sowing a lawn mix. Hey ho....I'll have to get busy with the spreader in October....

 

Hi, sorry been a tad busy as always.

bit of job getting rid of this type of grass. Near on impossible to control it 100% and while growth regulators like Attraxor help and are for commercial use and expensive. They basically reduce growth and slow down seed head production.
Also these types of treatments aid the cut down of applying N. The more N thrown at the grass plant the more growth and with POA it can increase the seed head production.
Preventing it from seeding is the best way to limit it then allowing the other grass types to dominate although it will still be a on going battle.

 

Thank you so much, LTP! I suspected that would be the case. Looks like the mower's going to be busy for the next few weeks I suppose I could try parking 'Sir' in the middle with instructions to pull out everything that's not dark green...

 

Hello Noisette, hello Liz,

From some of the comments you made to me last year, Noisette, I was under the impression that you were then already fully aware that one could not eradicate poa annua without destroying the “good” grasses at the same time. I recall you said something along the lines of "if you can find a chemical that can discern between grass and poa annua, good luck!" (apologies if misquoting).

On my lawn too they are returning with a vengeance and the seeds are raising their pretty little heads!

I was told by Agrigem Ltd (recommended by Liz The Pot) that the answer is to use a pre-emergent herbicide in the Autumn; this prevents the PA seeds from sprouting in the Spring. The problem with that this automatically prohibits over-seeding with good grasses which would suffer the same fate.

What I am not clear about is: how long is the pre-emergent effective; in other words, if one uses in the Autumn, can one then sow good grasses in April/May without detriment? What do you think, Liz?

 

do you know the product they were recommending?
Normally pre emergent would be associated with a residue type treatment like a herbicide. On say a gravel area the above use would stop growth for a set period which is shown on the product label of the herbicide used. There are some chemicals that can treat poa but some target grass types like Rye and I’m not sure if they are usable under our regulations here in the U.K. while others are not for domestic use where they maybe used in agriculture.

 

Many thanks, Liz the pot, for your prompt reply.

Yes, Propyz 5L was discussed – details below. I did not use it because of the statement that it “treats” grasses as well as everything else. There may have been some misunderstanding on my part during our conversation.

Anyhow, our lawn looks wonderful at the moment, despite the evident infestation of poa annua seeds which are currently biding their time before revealing the consequences of their true nature later in the summer!

The only option, it would seem, is to cut and verticut. Perhaps you could confirm the following: my intention in the next few days (although I’ll wait to hear from you) is to give the lawn a cut to chop off the flower heads and then, immediately afterwards, verticut in order to cut through the horizontal PA strands and, hopefully, drive them into the grass box, and away!

Do you agree with the latter?

Many thanks for your advice, as ever!

Details of the product:
Active Ingredient
400g/L propyzamide

MAPP NO
15083

LERAP Category
Does Not Apply

Pack Size
5L

Pack Size Coverage
1.5 Hectares or 15,000m²

Knapsack Sprayer Rate
80ml per 10L of water

Boom Sprayer Rate
4.25L/Hectare or 1.7L/Acre for Amenity areas

Application Method(s)
Boom Sprayer, Knapsack

Treats (Pest/Weed/Disease)
Bindweed, Buttercup, Chickweed, Fat Hen, General Weeds, Grasses, Meadow Grass, Nettle, Speedwell

Area of Use
Horticulture, Trees & Ornamentals

Safe For Use On
Safe Around Fruit Trees, Safe Around Shrubs, Safe Around Trees

Period Of Use
Autumn, Winter

 

I don’t think you can apply that to lawns as it targets grass which is on its label.

http://www.collier-turf-care.co.uk/...26f010317fd/Barclay Propyz flyer jan 2013.pdf

I’m wondering if they thought it was for a non lawned area. Might be worth confirming but I think it’s not a treatment for lawned areas as the instructions state its use.

 

I am sure you are right.

What do you make of my "my intention in the next few days (although I’ll wait to hear from you) is to give the lawn a cut to chop off the flower heads and then, immediately afterwards, verticut in order to cut through the horizontal PA strands and, hopefully, drive them into the grass box, and away!

Do you agree with the latter?

Many thanks for your advice, as ever!"

Should I proceed as I suggest?

 

Yes a lawn benefits from your planned work. Just keep an eye on the weather.

basically you need to try to stop the poa from seeding constantly which is a cut at a low level or to use a growth regulator to slow down its seed production.

 

Thank you. Will do!

What about the delimma of the growth regulator also slowing down the overseeding of the "good" grasses?

 

https://d2j31icv6dlhz6.cloudfront.n...maxx-ii-l1025767-booklet10l-nan1025-16clp.pdf

We use this. It has details about seeding but with all products the instructions should be followed as they tend to differ.

 

Hello both, just catching up with this! LTP you're a star! Primo Maxx ii is available here and has to be the solution (combined with re-cultivation and re-sowing of the worst-affected strip in October). Many, many thanks