How to get rid of bear grass

Bear grass, also known as bear tuber, is a vigorous weed that can wreak havoc on many lawns. Bear grass has very strong roots and develops into a “bulb” form (hence the name bear tuber). The most thorough way to get rid of bear weed on the lawn is to weed at the root by hand. You can also try using a chemical herbicide or sprinkling sugar on the grass as an organic herbicide in place of the chemical.

Table of Contents

Identify bear grass

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/fc/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-1.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-1.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/fc/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-1.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Look for grass that looks different. Bear grass is usually taller and lighter in color than the rest of the lawn. Because beargrass looks similar to other grasses, small patches of grass can be difficult to spot unless you look closely.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f2/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f2/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Consider the leaves of the grass. Kneel on the ground to observe the shape and thickness of the leaves growing in the strange grass. Bear grass has thick, hard leaves that grow from the stem in sets of 3 leaves. Most grasses have two leaves that grow from a single stem.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/24/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-3.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/24/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-3.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Observe the grass. Break off a branch of grass suspected to be beargrass and observe the broken end. Beargrass has a triangular cross section and a solid core, while most other grass species have round stems. Many common grass species also have a hollow core instead of a solid core.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/e2/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/e2/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-4- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-4-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Carefully dig to the roots of beargrass. If beargrass is suspected based on the appearance of the upper part of the plant, you can also proceed with eradication immediately, or dig to the base of the grass to be sure before taking further action. Use a garden spade to carefully dig next to the grass and observe the tubers at the roots. You may have to dig up to 30-45 cm deep.

Remove bear grass by hand

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/78/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-5.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/78/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-5.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Wear gardening gloves. This method requires you to dig into the ground a bit, and gardening gloves will help keep the dirt off your skin and under your fingernails.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/2b/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-6.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/2b/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-6.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Use a spade to dig straight into the ground next to the bear grass. Dig as deep as possible. The root system of beargrass can grow into the ground to a depth of about 30-46 cm.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/20/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-7.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/20/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-7.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Gently pull the roots of beargrass out of the ground. It is important that you be gentle to reduce the number of broken roots as well as the number of broken root pieces.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/da/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-8.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/da/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-8.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Dig out scattered grass roots. If the grass roots are left, there is still a risk that beargrass will grow back.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/57/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-9.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass- Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/57/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-9.jpg/v4-728px-Get- Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser -output”></div>”}

Put beargrass in a trash bag along with the excavated soil. Discard the grass in the trash bag. Do not throw the grass in a pile or put it in the compost pile, as this can cause it to spread to other areas of the lawn.

Use sugar

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/59/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-10-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/59/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-10- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-10-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Apply this method in the spring. This is most effective if done at the beginning of the growing season, when beargrass is just germinating and budding.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/ff/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-11-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-11-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/ff/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-11- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-11-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use a hose to water the lawn. You don’t have to water it all the way, but you should water it so that the lawn is evenly moist and down to the soil.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/7e/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-12-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-12-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7e/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-12- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-12-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Spread the road onto the lawn in straight lines. Walk back and forth across the lawn in straight and evenly spaced lines, sprinkling sugar through the sieve as you walk, constantly shaking the hand of the sieve so that the sugar drops evenly onto the grass.

This is not just folk therapy. Sugar actually “eats” beargrass, while also nourishing beneficial microorganisms for the lawn.

Control bear grass with chemicals

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/de/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-15-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-15-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/de/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-15- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-15-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use herbicide before beargrass grows five true leaves. Leaves of beargrass have too many obstacles that prevent pesticides from penetrating the “tubes” and roots. Herbicides are most effective if applied early in the season, when beargrass is still young and has few leaves.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/5f/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-16-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-16-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5f/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-16- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-16-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Choose the right herbicide. Products that contain MSMA or contain a chemical called bentazon are most effective. Bear grass is a common problem, so the herbicide is often labeled as “bear herbicide.”

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/3/3e/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-17-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-17-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/3e/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-17- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-17-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wait for beargrass to sprout for a few days before using the medicine. Herbicides are most effective when the grass is strong, and may be less effective if applied immediately after mowing. Wait two or three days after mowing the lawn before applying a chemical herbicide.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/5/58/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-18-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-18-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/58/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-18- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-18-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Spray herbicide while the soil is dry. Wait a few days after the last watering before spraying. Do not spray pesticides if there is a chance of rain within 4 hours after spraying or if heavy rain is possible in the following days, because then the chemical will be washed away by water and will not have a chance to work.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/b/b0/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-19-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-19-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b0/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-19- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-19-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Read the directions on the bottle label to determine the correct dose. MSMA herbicides are usually diluted and sprayed over the entire lawn. For example, the drug label may instruct you to mix 45 ml of chemical with 20 liters of water to treat a lawn with an area of 93 square meters.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/cf/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-20-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Get-Rid- of-Nutgrass-Step-20-Version-2.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/cf/Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-20- Version-2.jpg/v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Nutgrass-Step-20-Version-2.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Repeat this method several times during the growing season. With tropical grass, you may only need to spray twice, but cold grass may need to spray 4-8 times to completely kill it.

Advice

Determine if beargrass grows on wet soil. Usually, beargrass proliferates due to poor drainage. If you find beargrass growing in moist soil, you can limit weed growth by drying the grass and improving the drainage of the soil. This may not be enough to get rid of this hardy weed as it can survive even in arid conditions, but it can reduce the population of beargrass.
Do not try to put garden mulch on beargrass. This grass is very vigorous and will often grow through mulch, fabric, even plastic.
Never till the soil to try to get rid of beargrass. This will only spread their “roots” around and can actually make the situation worse.

Warning

Do not let children and pets near the grass for 24-72 hours after spraying the herbicide. Many herbicides are toxic when swallowed.
Be aware that widely used herbicides, especially those containing MSMA, can discolor grass when sprayed frequently.

Things you need

Garden Gloves
Garden spade
Garden faucet
Sieve
Road
Herbicide

Steps