Nutsedge Control in Northern Lawns: Why It’s Different from Other Weeds

Nutsedge (often called nutgrass) looks like grass but is actually a sedge. Most “weed and feed” products and standard broadleaf herbicides do almost nothing to it. It spreads by underground tubers (nuts) that can survive for years.

Cultural Control (Most Important Long-Term)

• Improve drainage and reduce compaction — nutsedge loves wet, heavy soils.
• Maintain a thick, healthy turf canopy so it has less opportunity to establish.
• Hand pull or dig when soil is moist, getting the entire plant and as many tubers as possible.

Related: Fall Broadleaf Weed Control: Why October Beats Spring · Complete Visual Guide to Identifying Common Northern Lawn Weeds · Pre-Emergent Herbicide Timing Guide for Northern Lawns (Crabgrass & More)

Photo: Cyperus esculentus by User:Blahedo, CC BY-SA 2.5.