Bamboo Grass (Microstegium vimineum) HELP!!!!

15 years ago

Hi there - first post to this board - great resource!

I live in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. We have 3/4 acre and about two years ago the back third started to show minor signs of invasion by Bamboo Grass (Microstegium vimineum). In year one it stayed in a limited area, but last year it made its move, and now it not only blankets the wooded areas (pine and oak), it is completely taking over the grassy areas of the yard. Granted, the lawn was originally pretty weak and in need of aeration and liming and overseeding and topsoil, but before I could even get to that stuff the Bamboo Grass had taken over. We seem to be the only house on the block with the same level of infestation, so I think it has something to do with the state of our lawn and grounds before this started.

I'm an amateur at this, but I thought that if I tried to create an environment that a lawn would like I might be able to beat out the Bamboo Grass. I am thinking that in the fall I'd cut down and thatch out the Bamboo Grass, rake in some additional topsoil (it also needs to be leveled), overseed with Fescue and pamper the hell out of that, hoping that the Fescue would have a fighting chance and crowd out the Bamboo Grass as the latter starts to die off in the fall. Our front yard is typical hardpack Piedmont clay and needs a different kind of attention, but much of the back is pretty good topsoil, and the Bamboo Grass LOVES IT. I thought that if I could get some grass seed in there a good hardy Fescue might love it even more. It seems to me that if the Fescue starts to grow as the Bamboo Grass is starting to hide for the fall and winter, the lawn might have a little window of opportunity. What do you think?

Other options presented to me have been, of course, Roundup, but it would take a frakkin' tanker truck of chemicals to kill this stuff.

Any recommendations welcome!!!! Thanks!

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Comments (2)

evilscott
15 years ago
M. vimineum is capable of out-competing North American native species where it has been introduced. This problem is often exacerbated by the whitetail deer, which does not browse the grass, but instead prefers native species and thereby reduces competition for the exotic plant. Seeds remain viable for five years or more and have high germination rates. It is also a physiologically adaptive species, meaning it can survive low light levels if sufficient nutrients are present, while it can withstand infertile soils when light levels are high and photosynthesis can take place more rapidly. Japanese stiltgrass cannot compete effectively in deep shade, however.

Microstegium is a warm season grass which can be controlled with pre-emergent herbicides targeted for crabgrass. Post emergent controls can also be successful, such as Calcium acid metanearsonate 8.4% Ortho "Weed-b-Gon" Crabgrass killer for lawns".

Or, try the product called "Amaze" by Greenlight.

Here is a link that might be useful: National Park Service
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rundugrun
15 years ago
Microstegium (Japanese Stiltgrass) is very invasive and cannot be controlled by traditional methods... The typical crabgrass killers don't make a long-term difference, because the seed bed of the stiltgrass is extensive. I've done a lot of research and trial and error. A post-emergent that has worked in my lawn is Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop-p). It kills the microstegium eventually. I had to use the maximum recommended concentration and apply it twice about 3 weeks apart. A good pre-emergent to apply in the spring is Barricade (prodiamine). There were a couple of studies done within the past few years that tested Roundup against Acclaim and oddly enough the Acclaim Extra had better long-term success in preventing the microstegium from returning. The Roundup lasted just one season and the stiltgrass returned with a vengeance. I've posted a link below for one of the studes.

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/workshop/gover.pdf

By the way, these type of "commercial" herbicides aren't sold at your normal lawn / garden centers. I found the Acclaim Extra at a John Deere Landscapes store and the Barricade, I found on Ebay.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stiltgrass Control
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Bamboo Grass (Microstegium vimineum) HELP!!!!

Comments (2)

evilscott

rundugrun

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