Goosegrass can quickly compromise the smooth, uniform surface that golfers expect on putting greens and closely mowed approaches. Once established, these aggressive annuals disrupt ball roll, create inconsistent texture, and compete heavily with desirable turf for moisture and nutrients. The most effective strategy is prevention and that starts with a properly timed pre-emergent application early in the season.
Understanding the Threat: Goosegrass & Crabgrass
Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) and crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) are warm-season annual grassy weeds that can quickly impact turf quality.
Important details to know about these annual grassy weeds include:
-
Germination: Occurs when soil temperatures consistently reach 55-60°F, typically starting in late spring and continuing through summer.
-
Problem areas: Putting greens, collars and approaches, tees, and fairways under stress.
-
Growth conditions: Thrive in compacted soils and high-traffic areas.
-
Reproduction & control: Annuals that reproduce by seed. Once established, control is more difficult and often requires post-emergent treatments that can stress desirable turf.
-
Prevention is key: A proactive pre-emergent program is critical to stop these weeds before they emerge.
Specifically Formulated for Greens
Many herbicide combinations are labeled for goosegrass control in turf but products that perform acceptably in fairways or higher-cut turf do not always translate safely to greens-height environments.
The Andersons Goosegrass/Crabgrass Control is differentiated not just by its efficacy on goosegrass, but by its safety profile for sensitive and greens-height turf. It is specifically labeled and designed for use on putting greens, giving turf managers confidence that applications can be made without risking discoloration, thinning, or delayed recovery, which are all common concerns when using more aggressive chemistries in greens environments.
The Andersons Goosegrass/Crabgrass Control combines two proven active ingredients for season long control on bentrgrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, perennial rye and tall fescue.
- Bensulide is a selective pre-emergent organophosphate herbicide designed to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. It prevents root development in seedlings and interferes with acetylcholinesterase activity.
- Oxadiazon is a selective pre-emergent oxadiazole herbicide designed to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. It works by inhibiting the enzyme protoporphyrinogen oxidase, preventing weed development before emergence.
This dual-active combination delivers broad-spectrum, season-long prevention when applied correctly and watered in according to label instructions.
Tips for in the Field
- Apply before the soil temperate consistently reaches 55°F at a 4" depth.
- Do not use this product when the air temperature is consistently below 50°F or above 80°F.
- Apply only to dry foliage, ensuring that granules reach the soil surface.
- To even further reduce risk of yellowing or injury, apply at half rate with a subsequent half rate application 10-14 days later.
The following video provides a quick introduction to the product along with tips for ensuring maximum efficacy.
Other Greens Grade Pre-emergent Solutions
Don't have a history of goosegrass pressure but need a pre-emergent solution for your greens, tees and collars? Check out our line of fertilizer and Dithiopyr products for the benefit of pre-emergent weed control along with early-season nutrition.
Dithiopyr is a selective, pyridine-based herbicide which helps keep turf healthy by offering multiple advantages:
- Provides pre-emergent and early post-emergent control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.
- Disrupts the microtubule formation and cell division in developing weeds, preventing root and shoot growth.
- Has long residual activity when properly applied.
Combining fertilizer with pre-emergent control promotes healthy, dense turf that naturally suppresses weeds while preventing new germination.
Available Options:
