Dallas grass, also known as Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), is a perennial grass commonly found in lawns, pastures, and roadside ditches in the southern United States.
It’s considered a weed by many because of its aggressive growth habits. The grass gets its name from its fluffy seed heads, which resemble Dallis soap, a soft white laundry detergent popular in the South.
Despite its ubiquity, dallas grass can be complex to eliminate. It reproduces through its roots and seeds, which results in a persistent weed even after herbicide treatments. Let’s look at how to kill dallas grass.
How to kill Dallas grass
Fortunately, there are several methods for killing dallisgrass, ranging from chemical treatments to manual removal. With a little bit of effort and perseverance, it is possible to get rid of this pesky weed.
Using Pre-Emergent Herbicide to Kill Dallas Grass
One of the most effective ways to prevent or eliminate dallisgrass is using pre-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergent herbicide is a type of chemical applied to the soil before dallisgrass (or any other weed) can germinate and grow.
You can use Pre-emergent herbicides in both lawns and pastures. The key is to apply the herbicide at the right time – typically early spring before dallisgrass begins to grow.
Several different brands of pre-emergent herbicides are available, including Prowl and Dimension. When used properly, these products can help keep dallisgrass under control, allowing you to maintain a healthy, weed-free lawn or pasture.
How to Apply Pe-emergent herbicides
When using pre-emergent herbicides, it is vital to apply them correctly. This involves carefully timing your application and accurately measuring the amount of herbicide to use.
Most pre-emergent herbicides are applied using a broadcast spreader. This type of equipment evenly distributes granular herbicide across a wide area. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model to use the broadcast spreader.
Once your broadcast spreader is calibrated and ready to go, apply the herbicide according to the instructions on the label. Be sure to pay close attention to the timing and dosage, as using too much or too little can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.
If you are applying pre-emergent herbicide to a large area, such as a pasture, it is best to hire a professional. This will ensure that the herbicide is applied correctly and evenly, resulting in the best possible results.
Using Chemical Treatments to Kill Dallas Grass
While pre-emergent herbicides are the best way to prevent dallisgrass from growing in the first place, you can use several chemical treatments to kill the weed once it has already established itself.
Glyphosate is a popular herbicide that can be effective in killing dallisgrass. This chemical is non-selective, meaning that it will kill any plant it comes into contact with. Therefore, it is vital to avoid getting the herbicide on any desirable plants when applying glyphosate. They will be killed along with the dallisgrass.
How to Apply Glyphosate
When using glyphosate to kill dallisgrass, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. The chemical comes in both liquid and granular form, and the application method will depend on your specific product.
Liquid glyphosate is typically applied using a spray wand. You can use a spray nozzle on “medium” and carefully apply the herbicide directly to the top of each dallisgrass clump. You can also use a plastic milk jug to cover the clumps and keep the herbicide from drifting onto other plants in your lawn or pasture.
Granular glyphosate is applied using a broadcast spreader. This type of equipment will evenly distribute the granules across a wide area. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model.
When applying granular glyphosate, wet the area down with a hose before applying the herbicide. This will help to keep the granules from blowing away in the wind.
Using Vinegar to Kill Dallas Grass
One of the most common household items that you can use to kill weeds is vinegar. Vinegar is an acid, and when applied to dallisgrass, it will kill the plant. Vinegar has a very low pH, and when applied to the leaves of a plant, it will cause them to burn.
How to apply vinegar
When using vinegar to kill dallisgrass, use a concentrated form of the product. You can find this in the canning section of your grocery store. It is also important to use vinegar with a 5% acidity level.
You can also concentrate the household vinegar by heating it to a boiling point and then allowing it to cool to help it remain potent.
Vinegar can be applied to the dallisgrass anytime during the spring and summer. However, it is the fastest acting when applied in the early part of the growing season. This will give the vinegar time to work and prevent the weed from taking over your lawn or pasture.
During application, pour the vinegar directly onto the dallisgrass leaves. Make sure to cover the entire leaf, and be careful not to get any on desirable plants. Once the vinegar has been applied, it will begin working immediately.
The dallisgrass will eventually turn brown and die. This process can take up to two weeks, but you will have a nice, dallisgrass-free lawn or pasture once it is complete.
Using salt to Kill Dallas Grass
Salt is another common household item that can be used to kill dallisgrass. Salt will draw water out of the roots of the dallisgrass. When used correctly, it is effective at killing the weed and will prevent it from invading your lawn or pasture.
How to Apply Salt
When using salt to kill dallisgrass, you will need to use a product at least 80% pure. You can get it in the household salt section of your grocery store. Remember to check the label on the packaging to ensure that you are using the correct product.
During application, pour a pinch of salt onto the Dallas grass. Try to get the salt onto the plant’s leaves as much as possible. Once you have applied the salt, water the plant heavily. The salt will need to be washed into the soil to be effective.
It is important to note that using salt to kill dallisgrass will also kill any other plants that it comes into contact with. This includes grass, flowers, and other plants that you may want to keep.
If using salt to kill dallisgrass, be sure to apply it only in the places where you are trying to remove the grass. Do not apply it in any areas of your lawn where you want other plants to grow.
When is the Best Time to Kill Dallas Grass?
The best time to kill Dallas grass is in the early spring, before it begins to grow. This will give the herbicide time to work and prevent the weed from taking over your lawn or pasture. If you have already let it grow by any chance, do not worry. You can use the same herbicide to control current dallisgrass growth.
With a little bit of effort and perseverance, it is possible to get rid of dallisgrass using chemical treatments. By applying pre-emergent herbicides early in the season and using glyphosate to kill established weeds, you can ensure that your lawn or pasture stays free from this pesky weed.
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