Have you ever seen a broadleaf grass with a wavy leaf invade your lawn, but not sure what it is or how to remove it? In this blog, we take a look at what Carpet Grass is, and the best way to remove it when it is growing within another lawn type.
Skip to: What is Carpet Grass? What are Carpet Grasses Key Identifying Features? Where Does Carpet Grass Grow? How Do I Remove Carpet Grass from Growing in Couch Grass? How Can I Remove Carpet Grass from Growing in Buffalo, Kikuyu and Zoysia Grass?
What is Carpet Grass?
Carpet Grass is a turf type that mainly grows in tropical regions of Australia. It is often referred to as “tropical buffalo grass”. Like buffalo grass, it only grows and spreads by its above ground stolons and has a broad leaf. This turf type loves hot weather with regular rainfall and will grow well in low fertility areas.
What Are Carpet Grasses Key Identifying Features?
- Low growing
- Broad, wavy leaf
- Course textured leaf
- Dense growth habit
- Green to light green in colour
Where Does Carpet Grass Grow?
This is a popular lawn option for tropical regions as it thrives in hot and humid weather. This grass best grows during the wet season when there is increased rainfall; however, it will often struggle during the dry season when rainfall is limited.
This turf type is only considered an issue when it has invaded another lawn type. This is mainly due to the broadleaf standing out when growing in a finer leaf grass like couch grass.
If you do find some unwelcomed Carpet Grass growing within your lawn, here’s our guide on removing it.
How Do I Remove Carpet Grass from Growing in Couch Grass?
If you have a green couch lawn (such as TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, Santa Ana, or Winter Green), a DSMA-based herbicide is safe to use on couch grass. These products can selectively target and suppress carpet grass in couch lawns, though multiple applications may be required. David Grays Crabgrass and Clover Killer is an excellent option for this purpose.
However, it’s important to note that while these herbicides may weaken carpet grass, they are not registered for complete eradication.
How Can I Remove Carpet Grass from Growing in Buffalo, Kikuyu and Zoysia Grass?
If it is growing within a buffalo, kikuyu or zoysia lawn, unfortunately removal options will be limited.
If only a small amount growing, the best and easiest way to remove it is by hand. Like buffalo, it won’t have a particularly strong root system, making hand removal easier.
If the area has become heavily infested and there is not much of the main lawn type growing in the selected area, you may want to consider returfing this section of grass. This will require you to spray out the invaded section of turf with a non-selective herbicide. Remove the old turf, and then install new rolls of the main lawn type. If you would like more information on how to patch up an area with new rolls of turf, please check out our blog here.
If there are only small areas where the invading grass is growing, another option will be to selectively apply a non-selective herbicide to the Carpet Grass, while avoiding applying it to the main lawn, as it will harm it also. We recommend using a small paint brush, a weed wand, or the Yates Zero Gel to help accurately apply it.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.