Paspalum can be a very difficult weed to kill in most Australian lawns including buffalo, and continues to be one of the most hated weeds in the country.
Once established in a lawn it has the ability to grow low and beneath lawn mower blades, enabling it to continue spreading unchecked.
So let’s have a look at:
- Identifying Paspalum
- How to Kill Paspalum
- Recommended Product to kill it
Identifying Paspalum
Paspalum can grow to over a metre tall in the wild or in garden beds, but this highly adaptable weed type will completely change its growing habits when grown in a home lawn that is regularly mowed.
While regular lawn mowing should be able to control and stop this weed from spreading through the regular removal of its seeds, Paspalum simply stops growing higher and instead begins to creep along the ground.
Paspalum will grow seed-producing stems, each with 3 -7 spike-shaped seed-bearing heads. The heights of these Paspalum stems vary depending on the regularity of lawn mowing and how high the lawn is cut.
How to Kill Paspalum
Paspalum cannot be killed in Buffalo or Kikuyu lawns without the use of selective herbicides.
This leaves lawn owners with real problems in trying to control Paspalum. Lawn owners facing this problem should tackle Paspalum as soon as the weed is spotted in the home lawn, and before it spreads.
Paspalum can be removed with a sharp knife at the base of the plant, cutting it underneath soil level and into the roots. No need to turn it into a massive single job, half an hour in the garden once a week will remove the weeds with little effort.
Paspalum can also be killed with a Glyphosate broad-spectrum weed killer, which is mixed in a small stable container.
The herbicide is then painted onto the Paspalum with a small paintbrush, or by dipping a rubber-gloved hand into the herbicide and wiping the weed with the glove. Be very careful not to spill any Glyphosate onto the lawn, as it will kill any plant it comes into contact with … including lawns.
Recommended Products
But please note if you are using this on Kings Pride, don’t cover spray the lawn with it, you must only mix the solution as directed and then apply to the weed with a toothbrush or paint brush. This is a pain of a weed so a bit of TLC to get rid of it is warranted
For all other domestic non buffalo or kikuyu
- It can be applied with most garden sprayers.
- For more effective wetting, add wetting agent to final solution.
- Avoid using fine droplets or applying the product in windy conditions as this will increase spray drift.
- It is important to apply the recommended spray mixture when weeds are young and actively growing.
- Results may take some time to become evident.
Paspalum, Nutgrass & Clover Weed Killer is formulated for the control of Paspalum, Nutgrass, Mullumbimby couch, clovers and other weeds in domestic lawns. It can be applied with most garden sprayers. For more effective wetting, add wetting agent to final solution.
Avoid using fine droplets or applying the product in windy conditions as this will increase spray drift. It is important to apply the recommended spray mixture when weeds are young and actively growing. Results may take some time to become evident. DO NOT allow spray to contact other plants that you do not want killed