Integrated Pest Management
Quackgrass
Elymus repens
Description
- spreading habit; up to 1 – 3 feet tall if uncut
- thick, rolled leaves; blue green in color; clasping auricle similar to annual ryegrass
- spreading underground rhizomes
- appears to have a thicker blade growing slightly faster than common Kentucky bluegrass
- may be more prevalent in low-fertility and/or heavy clay or compacted soils
Location
- landscape, lawn and open spaces
Life Cycle
- aggressive perennial reproducing by seed or spreading by thin underground rhizome roots
IPM Recommendations
- Effective control must target both aboveground and underground plant structures.
- Hand-pull plants in planting beds prior to seed maturation.
- Apply a mulch layer 3 inches deep on planting beds to reduce seed germination.
- Cultivation/tillage is not a good option since rhizomes will continue to grow after being cut.
- If quackgrass is aggressively competing with desirable plants, apply an appropriate post-emergent systemic herbicide when plants are actively growing.