POA Annua - Ask Extension
Hello:
I'm hoping for some advice about controlling, or at least minimizing the spread of, the POA Annua in my lawn. The lawn is only about 4 year...
Knowledgebase
POA Annua #874809
Asked June 26, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT
Hello:
I'm hoping for some advice about controlling, or at least minimizing the spread of, the POA Annua in my lawn. The lawn is only about 4 years old, made from from 100% Kentucky Bluegrass sod. It has always been regularly treated with pre + post emergence herbicide and fertilizer (by a lawn service). I have underground irrigation, and believe that I'm doing a good job with watering. I mow (mulch) my grass at 3"all season, which the sod farm recommends. Despite these practices, the POA Annua seems to get worse each year.
Would you suggest bagging my clippings to reduce the POA seeds in my lawn?
I also wanted to ask about using Tenacity Herbicide (Mesotrione). I read an article (https://sturf.lib.msu.edu/article/2010nov8.pdf) that described success with this herbicide at MSU - Is your Turf Department still having success with this product against POA? If so, how are they presently applying it?
Sincerely,
Eric
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Poa annua is an aggressive annual turfgrass that is a challenge to control. Bagging clippings while Poa annua is in bloom might help some but it can bloom below the cutting height. Use of a pre-emergent in late summer, before it germinates, should help as well.
Links to articles on Poa annua and Tenacity (some are dated):
https://extension.psu.edu/postemergence-control-of-crabgrass-and-other-summer-annual-grasses-in-lawns - see section on mesotrione, doesn't mention Poa annua
https://turf.purdue.edu/poa-annua-poa-trivialis-and-or-creeping-bentgrass-in-lawns-and-sports-fields/?cat=46
https://turf.purdue.edu/annual-bluegrass/
https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?item_number=AY-41-W# - free download of document
https://turf.unl.edu/NebGuides/PoaannuaControls2010c.pdf - probably a 2010 document
https://sturf.lib.msu.edu/article/2010nov8.pdf - probably a 2010 document on Tenacity
https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/tgtre/article/1996mar11.pdf - a 1996 article
https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/tgtre/article/1992apr13.pdf
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/fs_PC-122990_04-Jun-01.pdf - pesticide fact sheet
www.canr.msu.edu&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=canr-callouts"
As a Master Gardener volunteer I am not connected to any MSU departments. Go to the link below:
Home Lawns | MSU Extension - select people and email one of the professors about the current use of Tenacity to control Poa annua at MSU before you purchase it for home use. Be sure to read and follow the herbicide label directions attached to the herbicide container you are using including personal protective equipment (clothing). Remember, the label is the law.
Links to articles on Poa annua and Tenacity (some are dated):
https://extension.psu.edu/postemergence-control-of-crabgrass-and-other-summer-annual-grasses-in-lawns - see section on mesotrione, doesn't mention Poa annua
https://turf.purdue.edu/poa-annua-poa-trivialis-and-or-creeping-bentgrass-in-lawns-and-sports-fields/?cat=46
https://turf.purdue.edu/annual-bluegrass/
https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/item.asp?item_number=AY-41-W# - free download of document
https://turf.unl.edu/NebGuides/PoaannuaControls2010c.pdf - probably a 2010 document
https://sturf.lib.msu.edu/article/2010nov8.pdf - probably a 2010 document on Tenacity
https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/tgtre/article/1996mar11.pdf - a 1996 article
https://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/tgtre/article/1992apr13.pdf
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/fs_PC-122990_04-Jun-01.pdf - pesticide fact sheet
www.canr.msu.edu&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=canr-callouts"
As a Master Gardener volunteer I am not connected to any MSU departments. Go to the link below:
Home Lawns | MSU Extension - select people and email one of the professors about the current use of Tenacity to control Poa annua at MSU before you purchase it for home use. Be sure to read and follow the herbicide label directions attached to the herbicide container you are using including personal protective equipment (clothing). Remember, the label is the law.
