Nutsedge is one of the most challenging weeds to get rid of.
It grows fast. And has an extensive network of roots that make it very difficult to remove by hand. Why?
Because if you leave any behind it grows back again.
It’s a lot more effective to use a nutsedge killer.
Our top choice is SedgeHammer Herbicide.
It’s specially designed for maximum effectiveness on nutsedge. And it has a strong reputation, with many satisfied customers. You can also use it on most types of grass without harming your lawn.
The best nutsedge killer at a glance:
All links lead to Amazon, where you can find more information & customer reviews
The Best Nutsedge Killer
SedgeHammer Herbicide
Our top herbicide is SedgeHammer. This selective herbicide is specially designed to kill nutsedge without harming your grass, nearby plants, or flower beds.
Use it on your lawn, landscaped areas, ornamental turfgrass, and other non-crop locations.
The active ingredient is halosulfuron-methyl, a chemical herbicide for post-emergent control of sedges, and broadleaf weeds that are commonly found growing in turf.
The product is highly effective. But you do need to have a bit of patience when using it as it doesn’t work overnight and is slower to show effects than some other nutsedge killers. But you can still see visible results within a week of using it. With a second application sometimes required to complete the job.
The 1.33 oz. bottle of powder is enough to make 40 gallons of herbicide when mixed with water. Which is enough to cover 40,000 sq. ft.
So this herbicide goes a long way. If you have a 1,000 sq. ft. area to treat then you’ll get 40 applications from the bottle, which makes it great value.
Tenacity Turf Herbicide
Tenacity is a post-emergent herbicide with the power to efficiently kill the nutsedge plants in your garden.
And it also has pre-emergent properties that can stop them growing back.
The main active ingredient is an organic compound called Mesotrione. This is a selective weed killer that works to kill sedges, broadleaf weeds, and certain types of grass.
Apart from nutsedge, it works on a wide range of weeds including crabgrass, henbit, goosegrass, purslane, chickweed, foxtail, barnyard grass, thistle, and ground ivy.
But because it works to get rid of grassy weeds, you also have to be careful what types of lawn grass you use it on.
It won’t harm most of them. But be careful about using it on bermudagrass, bentgrass, and zoysiagrass.
Results are usually visible in less than a week. But when killing nutsedge be prepared to wait for up to a month to see the full results.
It comes in an 8 fl. oz. bottle, that goes a long way when diluted. With the bottle providing enough nutsedge killer to treat an acre.
Bonide Sedge Ender Weed Control Concentrate
Bonide Sedge Ender gives you control of yellow nutsedge and grassy weeds such as crabgrass, foxtail, and goosegrass, without harming your lawn. It also gives great results getting rid of any broadleaf weeds you apply it to.
One of the main active ingredients is sulfentrazone, a post-emergent weed killer that’s popular for its effective control of yellow and purple nutsedge.
And it also contains prodiamine, a pre-emergent weed preventer that works to prevent new weeds from growing in the treated area.
Results are seen quickly as it starts to desiccate the plant immediately after contact. As well as being taken up by the roots and slowly killing the entire plant from the inside.
You can use it on cool season and warm season grasses. And it’s rainproof, so once it’s dry you don’t have to worry about the weather spoiling your results.
Image Kills Nutsedge Concentrate
This selective post-emergent herbicide is great for killing nutsedge in Southern lawns.
The main active ingredient is ammonium salt of imazaquin. This is a broad spectrum herbicide that kills nutsedge and grassy weeds such as dollar weed, poa annua (annual bluegrass), and wild onion.
But because it kills some grasses, you have to be careful which ones you use it on.
Recommended grass types include:
- St. Augustine grass
- Bermuda grass
- Zoysia grass
- Centipedegrass
- Buffalo grass
Customers often see results within a few days. But it can take 2-3 weeks to complete its effects on nutsedge.
Dismiss Turf Herbicide
Dismiss is another herbicide that uses sulfentrazone as its main ingredient. So as well as nutgrass, it offers post-emergent control of certain species of broadleaf weeds.
It controls nutsedge both on the surface and below ground. Preventing the growth of tubers and halting its spread.
It’s good for both Southern and Northern lawns. And it’s suitable for use on turfgrass around residential, industrial, and commercial properties. As well as golf courses, parking areas, and roadsides.
Results are noticeable within 48 hours, particularly on broadleaf weeds. But it can take a while to fully suppress nutsedge. And a second application is often required to complete the job.
Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use
Roundup For Lawns comes as a ready to use product with an attached spray wand, making it quick and easy for spot treatment. But you can also get it as a concentrate.
As well as killing nutsedge, it can eliminate over 250 different types of weeds including common species such as dandelion, crabgrass, and clover.
The main active ingredients are 2,4-D and quinclorac. These are systemic herbicides that kill to the root. So you don’t have to worry about the weeds growing back again.
This product is specifically designed to be used on Northern grasses, and is recommended for:
- Fescue
- Bermudagrass
- Buffalograss
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Zoysiagrass
- Perennial ryegrass
You can also get a version that is formulated for southern lawns on Amazon here.
It works better when you apply it to young weeds that are actively growing. And it starts working immediately upon contact.
Ortho Nutsedge Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Spray
This ready to spray weed killer effectively controls purple and yellow nutsedge as well as more than 50 other weed species. Including kyllinga, purslane, pigweed, dandelion, and spurge.
But it won’t harm your lawn, and can be used on both Southern and Northern turf grasses. However, you need to be careful using it on St. Augustine grass.
It’s simple to use. Connect your hose to the sprayer applicator that comes with the bottle, turn on the water, and use a button in the applicator handle to switch the flow on and off.
And after you’ve sprayed it on the nutsedge plants it dries quickly, becoming rainproof in 2 hours.
It uses sulfentrazone as its main ingredient. And nutsedge starts to turn brown after a couple of days. But it needs multiple applications to kill the plant.
Using Herbicides Safely On Your Turfgrass
All the options chosen above are selective weed killers. This means they kill some plants and not others.
You can also get non-selective weed killers. These kill all plants you apply them to.
It’s important to use a selective weed killer when treating nut grass that’s growing on your lawn. Why?
Because you don’t want to kill your grass as well.
But even selective weed killers can cause damage if you’re not careful.
They’re usually formulated to be safe on certain types of grasses. So it’s essential that you check the label of your product. Make sure it’s compatible with your turfgrass before you use it.
