Integrated Pest Management
Annual Bluegrass
Poa annua
Description
- tufted; upright growth (up to 1 foot tall); leaves emerge from protective sheath with pointed and papery ligule
- narrow leaves (1 – 4 inches long, 1/16 – 3/16 inch wide); short flower heads (1 – 4 inches high) bear 3 to 6 seeds per branching stalk; light green in color
Location
- common in lawn areas and planting beds
Life Cycle
- winter annual or short-lived perennial grass: seedlings germinate when soil temperatures are below 70°F in late summer, early fall or early spring
- plants flower within 8 weeks of germination and continue to flower and produce seeds until the onset of hot temperatures in summer months
- dormant plants produce new blade growth during cool fall temperatures
IPM Recommendations
- Hand-pull plants prior to seed maturation.
- Apply a mulch layer 3 inches deep on planting beds to reduce seed germination.
- Apply an appropriate pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination or spot treat foliage with an appropriate post-emergent herbicide.