What type of grass should I seed?
How to Choose the Right Grass Seed for Your Region
- Northeast Region. Cool-season grasses, such as bluegrasses, ryegrasses and fescues, prevail in the Northeast region of the United States.
- Midwest Region. The Midwest heartland is a cool-season growing region with humidity levels that vary. ...
- Southeast Region. ...
- Deep South and Gulf Coast Region. ...
- Southwest Region. ...
- Pacific Northwest Region. ...
- Transition Region. ...
What does sedge look like?
Sedges are grass-like weeds that can be hard to distinguish from turf grass because they look almost identical at first glance. But if you look a little closer, you’ll find that the major difference between grasses and sedges is that sedges have three-sided or triangular stems.
What does the word sedge mean?
sedge. Etymology 1 n. 1 Any plant of the genus ''Carex'', the (vern true sedge pedia=1)s, perennial, endogenous herbs, often growing in dense tufts in marshy places. They have triangular jointless stems, a spiked inflorescence, and long grasslike leaves which are usually rough on the margins and midrib.
What is dethatching of grass?
Dethatching, as the name suggests, is the process of removing thatch (leaves, grass clippings, flowers) from the soil surface. Thatch however does offer certain key benefits for your soil such as retaining soil moisture by acting as a mulch, providing a constant infusion of nutrients, as well as insulating the soil from temperature extremes.
What is the difference between a sedge and grass?
Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have nodes from the top to the ground. Grasses do not have edges on their stems and are mostly hollow except for the nodes which are small sections of the stem that help hold the plant together.
Is turf grass a sedge?
Sedges are close botanical cousins of the grasses and look a lot like them. Properly selected and planted, sedges can function as a traditional lawn, yet they require little or no mowing, fertilizing, or chemicals. Some require less water than many conventional turfgrasses.
How do you identify sedge grass?
The key identifying feature for these difficult weeds is their triangular stems. Roll the stems between your fingers, and you'll understand the meaning of the old-time rhyme "sedges have edges." In contrast, grasses have round stems. Shiny, smooth nutsedge leaves have a distinct center rib and form a "V" shape.
What is a true sedge?
True Sedges Overview Carex is a vast genus, containing over 2000 deciduous and evergreen, rhizomatous, perennial grass species commonly known as True Sedges, often just Sedge, but this name is shared with other plants in the family Cyperaceae.
What kind of plant is a sedge?
There are so many different kinds of "sedges" that both a family of plants (Cyperaceae) and a genus (Carex, the "true" sedges) use this term as a common name. The true sedges are thus related to a plant more popular than any of them: Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus), a mainstay of many a water garden.
What is sedge grass used for?
In many areas, sedges are used as ornamental plantings to provide texture, movement, color and interest in landscaping. Sedges are very hardy and thrive in shady areas with a lot of moisture. The sedge is considered a nuisance weed in many locales.
What are the examples of sedges?
SedgesNutsedgesNut grassYellow NutsedgeCyperus alternifoliusKyllinga brevifoliaSedges/Lower classifications
What does a sedge look like?
Sedges usually have triangular stems with leaves arranged in groups of three and are similar to grasses in many attributes. Sedge species may be found in a wide range of conditions, ranging from very wet to dry and in many soil types.
Can you dig out nutsedge?
The best way to remove small plants is to pull them up by hand or to hand hoe. If you hoe, be sure to dig down at least 8 to 14 inches to remove the entire plant. Using a tiller to destroy mature plants only will spread the infestation, because it will move the tubers around in the soil.
How many types of sedge are there?
Japanese sedgeCarex pendulaCarex oshimensisBlue sedgeCarex muskingu...Carex sylvaticaSedges/Lower classifications
Who eats the sedge?
The seeds of native sedges are eaten by many kinds of wildlife including ducks, grouse, wild turkeys, sandpipers, and sparrows, to name a few. They're also a food source for caterpillars and small mammals. Because they bloom in spring, sedges provide an early meal before most native grasses begin to bloom.
Which of the following is a sedge?
Some well-known sedges include the water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) and the papyrus sedge (Cyperus papyrus), from which the writing material papyrus was made....CyperaceaeClade:AngiospermsClade:MonocotsClade:CommelinidsOrder:Poales8 more rows
What are the examples of sedges?
SedgesNutsedgesNut grassYellow NutsedgeCyperus alternifoliusKyllinga brevifoliaSedges/Lower classifications
Is sedge the same as liriope?
ANSWER: Sedges would be a good choice. They have a similar form to liriope, but without colorful flowers. Many are evergreen and will grow in a combination of sun and shade.
What do sedges look like?
Sedges usually have triangular stems with leaves arranged in groups of three and are similar to grasses in many attributes. Sedge species may be found in a wide range of conditions, ranging from very wet to dry and in many soil types.
How do you get rid of sedge grass?
1:063:40How to get rid of nutsedge in the lawn, the easy way! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust push the little button. Goes from water to on and I just spot sprayed. Around. Normally you'reMoreJust push the little button. Goes from water to on and I just spot sprayed. Around. Normally you're not going to get like a massive invasion of nutsedge across your entire lawn. Even.
What is the difference between sedges and grass?
Sedges are grass-like weeds that can be hard to distinguish from turf grass because they look almost identical at first glance. But if you look a little closer, you’ll find that the major difference between grasses and sedges is that sedges have three-sided or triangular stems.
Where Do Sedges Grow?
These grass-like weeds thrive in soils that are wet or poorly drained, but they can also grow in dry, well-drained areas if competition from other grasses and/or weeds is limited.
How do sedges reproduce?
There are both annual sedges and perennial sedges, meaning that they can reproduce through the air (via seeds) and the ground (via rhizomes and underground tubers). A handful of sedges—such as the Purple and Yellow Nutsedge—use all three methods to reproduce, putting your lawn in danger of a rapid takeover.
What is the difference between sedges and rushes?
To help clarify the differences, we will begin with a useful mnemonic: Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have nodes from the top to the ground. Grasses and bamboos are in the Graminaceae family, sedges are in the Cyperaceae family, and rushes are in the Juncaceae family. When you look at a grass or sedge, what you see are the stems, ...
What are the culms of a grass?
Explaining that earlier bit of verse requires some plant anatomy, however. In grasses, the culms are cylindrical and covered in nodes (swollen joints); if you were to cut open a grass or bamboo, you would notice that the culms are hollow, and the nodes are solid. But with sedges–which have no nodes–it is the culms themselves that are solid (not to mention triangular). And finally, rushes are round like grasses, but are similar to sedges in that they have solid culms and an absence of nodes. This can all be somewhat difficult to remember, but the mnemonic above should make more sense to you now.
What are some good backdrops for plants?
Grasses and sedges can also make nice backdrops for other plants. They are ideal for naturalistic, wildlife-friendly, low-maintenance, or sophisticated designs, and are also suitable for container plantings.
Do sedges like full sun?
Try to keep in mind that while sedges generally handle shade better than grasses, there are always exceptions to these generalizations; there is a whole host of sedges that thrive in full sun. And if you’re looking for something ideal in the grass family, one of the most versatile options for the shade garden is the Japanese forest grass ( Hakonechloa macra ).
Do ornamental grasses need staking?
During the dry summers they are very little work , and taller varieties don’t often require staking. Wet summers are a different story, though, where staking is a requisite.
Is fountain grass hardy?
However, we have taken most of the hardy fountain grasses out of the garden because of their habit of seeding around in places they’re not welcome, and instead content ourselves with a wide selection of annual fountain grasses.
Is sedge grass good for shade?
Because of their beautiful flowering structures, ornamental grasses are by far the most popular for gardeners, though sedges hold a special place in the hearts of those who prefer shade gardening. Most sedges tolerate shade better than grasses and–depending on the species–they handle a wide range of soils from wet to dry. Carex pensylvanica, sometimes referred to as Pennsylvania or oak sedge, is an ideal lawn substitute or ground cover for a shady spot. It has a fine texture and a graceful fountain habit that spills over the ground.
What is a sedge flower?
Sedge flowers are wind-pollinated, small, often brown or black with separate male and female flowers being borne on the same plants. Carex, the biggest sedge genus, includes the garden-worthy Carex elata ‘Aurea’ AGM and Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold' AGM.
How many species of sedge are there?
Sedges ( Cyperaceae) More ancient than grasses (appearing more than 160 million years ago), and more tolerant of wet conditions. There are some 5,500 species of sedge. Their stems are solid, not hollow, and usually triangular in cross section.
What are hollow stems called?
Grasses have hollow stems called culms, plugged at intervals by solid nodes bearing the leaves. The lower part of each leaf wraps around the stem, and the upper part forms the leaf blade.#N#Bamboos are large grasses that have evolved the ability to form perennial woody stems or culms. Grasses first appeared 80-100 million years ago.#N#Grass flowers are characteristically arranged in spikelets, each made up of one or more florets which are grouped into panicles (or spikes). These usually contain both male and female flowers.#N#Ornamental examples for the garden include Miscanthus sinensis 'Ferner Osten’ and Stipa gigantea.
When did grasses first appear?
Grasses first appeared 80-100 million years ago . Grass flowers are characteristically arranged in spikelets, each made up of one or more florets which are grouped into panicles (or spikes). These usually contain both male and female flowers.
Is wheat a grass?
Mankind depends on grasses: wheat, barley, rice, oats and sweetcorn are all grasses. But not every plant with narrow, strap-like leaves is a member of the grass family. Calling all ornamental garden plants with narrow leaves ‘grasses’ is not only incorrect botanically, it can mislead the gardener when siting their plants.
Do sedges like shade?
Some sedges and woodrushes will also thrive in fairly deep shade. So, as narrow leaves are not a characteristic specific to grasses, other features such as the structure of flowers, stems, leaves and seedheads should be examined.
What are the different types of sedges?
Grasses, rushes and sedges belong to different plant families. Plants in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) include several genera, including bulrushes, which are part of the genus Scirpus. Those with angular stems are considered true sedges and belong to the genus Carex. Plants in the rush family (Juncaceae), which is the smallest of the three families, include rushes (Juncus spp.) and wood rushes (Luzula spp.). Grasses belong to the Poaceae family, which consists of more than 300 genera and includes bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) and bamboo (Bambusa spp.).
What are sedges and rushes?
Grasses, sedges and rushes are typically referred to as ornamental plants, and it can be difficult to determine the difference between the three groups of plants.
How many seeds does a rushes flower have?
While grass and sedge flowers produce single seeds, rushes typically produce three seeds from each flower. The fruit of these three plant groups are easier to distinguish visually than the flowers. Sedges produce 1-inch-long prickly fruit clusters that resemble beaks. Rushes, on the other hand, produce tiny round fruits that are less than 1/8 inch in diameter. The fruits of grasses vary in appearance and include fruit that resemble kernels of corn and tiny ovular seeds.
What are the fruits of sedges?
Rushes, on the other hand, produce tiny round fruits that are less than 1/8 inch in diameter. The fruits of grasses vary in appearance and include fruit that resemble kernels of corn and tiny ovular seeds.
What is the arrangement of rush leaves?
However, the arrangement of rush leaves varies among different species. The leaf sheath of grasses, which is the part of the leaf that enfolds the stem, are typically open. The leaf sheaths of rushes and sedges are typically closed.
How to tell if a plant is sedge or rush?
You can determine whether a plant is sedge, grass or rush by looking at the stems because each has a very different appearance. If the stem is hollow it is likely a grass, as there are few grasses that have solid stems. If the stem is solid, peel the leaves back if the plant has leaves, and roll the stem between your fingers. If it rolls easily between your fingers, it’s a round stem and is most likely a rush. If it does not roll easily, it’s an angular stem, which is characteristic of sedges ("sedges have edges").
What does it mean when a grass is hollow?
If the stem is hollow it is likely a grass, as there are few grasses that have solid stems. If the stem is solid, peel the leaves back if the plant has leaves, and roll the stem between your fingers. If it rolls easily between your fingers, it’s a round stem and is most likely a rush. If it does not roll easily, it’s an angular stem, ...
What is sedge grass?
Although commonly referred to as sedge grass, sedge actually is a weed that closely resembles several types of lawn grasses, and encompasses many varieties of invasive plants often mistakenly identified as grass. This aggressive groundcover poses problems for many homeowners ...
How to identify sedge grass?
Identify this type of weed by looking for patches of grass that grow quicker than surrounding areas, often reaching a few inches higher than the rest of the lawn. Pluck a blade of grass from one of these patches, and roll it between your fingers and thumb to feel for obvious edges.
What is the shape of sedge stems?
Sedge stems form a triangular shape, compared to the rounded shape found in blades of lawn grasses. Pluck a piece of grass from a different area of your lawn and roll it between your fingers. True grass blades roll easily between your thumb and finger, due to their rounded shape.
Is sedge grass a weed?
Although commonly referred to as sedge grass, sedge actually is a weed that closely resembles several types of lawn grasses, and encompasses many varieties of invasive plants often mistakenly identified as grass. Look closely at your lawn to determine the presence of sedge grass. Mow your grass before the sedge grass develops seed heads.
How to identify sedge plants?
If you are a pro, you can identify the plants by the absence of ligules and aruricles. For most of us, these characteristics mean little and all we know is a different type of plant is crowding out our spectacular turf grass in irregular patches with rough, stiff blades and prolific seed heads.
Where do sedge weeds grow?
Sedge lawn weeds favor moist areas and are often naturally established in marshy areas or run-off zones. Controlling sedge weeds begins with an examination of your irrigation system and fixing low areas where moisture pools.
What herbicides are used to kill sedge weeds?
There are no broad-spectrum herbicides recommended for controlling sedge weeds. Yellow and purple sedge control is available in herbicides recommended for crops. The majority of other sedge plants need to be identified and the specific management program applied for the variety of sedge species.
What is the difference between yellow nutsedge and purple sedge?
Yellow nutsedge has a yellow seed head, is common in northern zones, and has excellent cold tolerance. Purple sedge has purple seed heads and dark green foliage. These are the most common sedge plants but for identification of others, you may have to take a specimen to your county extension or master gardener’s clinic.
How many varieties of sedge are there?
The first step is identification, as many types of sedge weed control are specific and there are more than 12 varieties of problem sedge. These are some of the more common found in lawns: Yellow Nut Sedge ( Cyperus esculentus) Purple Nut Sedge ( Cyperus rotundus)
Can you spray sedge weeds?
Pre-emergence herbicides have little effect for controlling sedge weeds. Spot application of the appropriate herbicide can be effective or broad range spraying for extreme sedge lawn weeds. As with any herbicide application, read the directions and follow the safety precautions recommended by the manufacturer.
