I live in Pinewood springs and we have a bunch of it in difficult areas to mow.  Everyone seems to be frustrated and there are lots of opinions but most people try and mow (which I can't do).  Is there a way to deal with it next year (unless it is too late for this year).

Thank you for your help....BTW our elevation is 6500 feet 

Fred

I live in Pinewood springs and we have a bunch of it in difficult areas to mow.  Everyone seems to be frustrated and there are lots of opinions but most people try and mow (which I can't do).  Is there a way to deal with it next year (unless it is too late for this year).

Thank you for your help....BTW our elevation is 6500 feet 

Fred

Fred,

With the spring moisture we received, it has been a good year for cheatgrass growth in Larimer County. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is a is a winter annual grass. Cheatgrass is on the Colorado Noxious Weed List C. Cheatgrass germinates in late summer and early fall, though some germination also occurs in the spring. Keeping the soil seed bank from germinating or keeping the seed from the soil is the best management practice for this annual weed. If mowed during the growing season, cheatgrass will grow and set seed at a reduced height.

If using a herbicide, timing and application rate are important to not injure desirable perennial grasses. The Larimer County Weed District recommends low rates of Roundup applied in winter or early spring when perennial grasses are dormant. The most common selective herbicide treatment is Plateau, applied in the fall prior to emergence or at the early post-emergent stage (pre-tillering prior to development of secondary stems). Plateau applied in the spring is ineffective. Here is the link to the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Program fact sheet with additional information and control methods: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rzVSgQmhdyerHekDpfAvUs4x34BaPoog/view

The concern is if the cheatgrass expands, it can become a wildfire hazard by the beginning of the summer, plus it reduces your desirable grasses. Here is information on cheatgrass and wildfires: https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/natres/06310.pdf

Cheatgrass seeds can remain viable in the soil for 2-3 years, so monitor the treated area for the next couple years.

Hopefully you will find this information helpful.