Integrated Pest Management
Quackgrass
Elymus repens
Quackgrass (Matt Lavin, Wikimedia Commons)
Quackgrass rhizome stems (Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org)
Quackgrass clasping auricle and rolled leaf (The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org)
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.