Broomsedge control

Broomsedge, poverty grass, broom grass, sage grass, no matter what you call it, if given an inch, it will take a mile. A native warm-season perennial similar to switchgrass and big bluestem, broomsedge is native to the southeast and ranges north to the Great Lakes. A pioneer species it invades disturbed areas, cutover forests, abandoned fields, overgrazed pastures, and fields with low pH and soil fertility. This clump forming grass stretches erect stems up to three feet tall and once tan/brown – nothing will eat. I mean nothing. Deer turn their nose up at it. I get many calls asking about broomsedge and if you drive by our farm you will see a spot I've neglected has grown exponentially. Oops. Historically, we assumed the presence of broomsedge meant it was time to apply lime. But that is not always the case. You cannot apply lime and expect the problem to melt away. Lime is not an herbicide or a fertilizer, it modifies soil pH. Broomsedge thrives in low fertility soils, simply raising pH without addressing the underlying fertility issues such as a potassium and/or phosphorus deficiency will not get you very far. So, what can we do about it? 1. Apply fertilizer and lime per a soil test. Fertilizing desirable forage gives it an advantage over broomsedge. Tall fescue responds well to nitrogen in spring and fall. Do not skimp on nitrogen, but do not go overboard. Consult your soil test. 2. Feeding hay on broomsedge infested pastures is a low-input method of increasing soil fertility over time. The average ton of hay contains approximately 50 pounds of nitrogen, 15 pounds of phosphorous, and 60 pounds of potassium. Cattle will consume the lion's share of those nutrients, but will "recycle" a portion back into the field while leftover hay gets trampled and begins decomposing and releasing nutrients. Feeding hay is a slower way of building fertility than applying commercial fertilizer but it's sustainable and effective. 3. If your forage stand is composed of 50% or more of desirable species, no-till drill seed in the fall, for tall fescue use 12-15 pounds per acre. On the other hand, if your field is composed of 50% or less of desirable species consider a total burn down or tillage and reseed at the full rate in the fall, 20 pounds per acre for tall fescue. 4. Clip broomsedge twice annually. First in mid-July before seedheads mature and again in early September. It typically requires three years of two times annual mowing for control. However, if the underlying fertility and forage stand issues are not addressed mowing is little more than a short-term band-aid. Reclaiming a broomsedge infested pasture requires commitment and patience, and a soil test.