How to Kill Foxtail Weeds
Foxtail s usually an annual plant but can be perennial too. It’s a wide leaf blades type of weed, similar to the turfgrass. The stems grow long spikes of flowers that result in seeds at the end of the season. It grows in any condition moist or dry soil and its very tolerant. As a problematic weed because of its rapid growth, foxtail needs your immediate attention. If the infestation area is small then you can treat the specific area, but if the area is big you will need to redo your whole lawn. Foxtail plants can be killed with herbicide or tillage and rest in the summer. Don’t forget you will need to deal with the seeds remained in the soil. We recommend soil testing, fertilizing, herbicides, reseeding with a stronger grass type, grazing and constant monitoring of the area.
Take soil samples to be analyzed for ph and fertilizer level. Use a proper fertilizer program otherwise, you end up with more weeds. Soil amendments are effective when worked into the soil compared to topdressing methods.
When using herbicide keep in mind that broadleaf herbicides do not work on foxtail. Pre-emergent herbicides are safe for turf grass. Glyphosate works but it will also kill most other plants too. If you decide to use glyphosate you spray your area and wait 7-10 days than disk the ground to make sure you turn the dead plant residue over and add the fertilizer amendments by tillage.
Make sure you allow the surviving foxtail to germinate and repeat the process. You will probably need to repeat this process 2-3 times. Do not mow foxtail, because the plant will grow another seed head.
If you discover you have foxtail in your lawn do not collect the grass clipping after mowing. You need to rake the grass and throw it away.
Make sure you keep your lawn healthy with a proper fertilization and mowing process to prevent the invasion of the foxtail on your lawn. A thick grass will not offer areas for new alien seeds like the foxtail to grow.
If you are a dog owner you have to pay more attention to your lawn as foxtail grass is dangerous for your dog. The sharp awns can burrow under your dog’s skin and cause serious injury. A foxtail awn landed in your dog’s ear can perforate his eardrums. In his eyes can provoke blindness. If it ends up in his paw can lacerate and get in the body and migrate to the lungs causing infections and abscesses. Be alert if your dog is sneezing a lot, has a lump on his skin and its painful to touch, he’s shaking his head constantly or pawing the area because sometimes the awns are not visible.
Hiring a lawn service company for lawn maintenance services will help a lot as they know exactly what to look for and how to deal with this type of weeds.
Take soil samples to be analyzed for ph and fertilizer level. Use a proper fertilizer program otherwise, you end up with more weeds. Soil amendments are effective when worked into the soil compared to topdressing methods.
When using herbicide keep in mind that broadleaf herbicides do not work on foxtail. Pre-emergent herbicides are safe for turf grass. Glyphosate works but it will also kill most other plants too. If you decide to use glyphosate you spray your area and wait 7-10 days than disk the ground to make sure you turn the dead plant residue over and add the fertilizer amendments by tillage.
Make sure you allow the surviving foxtail to germinate and repeat the process. You will probably need to repeat this process 2-3 times. Do not mow foxtail, because the plant will grow another seed head.
If you discover you have foxtail in your lawn do not collect the grass clipping after mowing. You need to rake the grass and throw it away.
Make sure you keep your lawn healthy with a proper fertilization and mowing process to prevent the invasion of the foxtail on your lawn. A thick grass will not offer areas for new alien seeds like the foxtail to grow.
If you are a dog owner you have to pay more attention to your lawn as foxtail grass is dangerous for your dog. The sharp awns can burrow under your dog’s skin and cause serious injury. A foxtail awn landed in your dog’s ear can perforate his eardrums. In his eyes can provoke blindness. If it ends up in his paw can lacerate and get in the body and migrate to the lungs causing infections and abscesses. Be alert if your dog is sneezing a lot, has a lump on his skin and its painful to touch, he’s shaking his head constantly or pawing the area because sometimes the awns are not visible.
Hiring a lawn service company for lawn maintenance services will help a lot as they know exactly what to look for and how to deal with this type of weeds.
