asparagus - Ask Extension
Last year bermuda grass took over my asparagus beds. I am wondering if a heavy dose of straw would be of any help. And we got our first stalk yester...
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asparagus #823845
Asked March 29, 2023, 1:21 PM EDT
Last year bermuda grass took over my asparagus beds. I am wondering if a heavy dose of straw would be of any help. And we got our first stalk yesterday. It is a 16 foot long bed that is 40 inches wide. The other bed is 8 by 6.
Dave Welser
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi-
Straw will probably not help with a serious infestation. Bermudagrass is one of the worst grassy weeds you can have in an asparagus bed.
Chemical control:
A colleague in Oklahoma answered a similar question recently:
"Herbicide products containing the active ingredient sethoxydim are labeled for use in and around asparagus beds as well as other vegetables and is very effective at controlling bermudagrass and many other grassy weeds. Consumer products such as Bonide Grass Beater II Concentrate, Ferti-Lome Over-The-Top II Grass Killer, Hi-Yield Grass Killer Postemergence Grass Herbicide, and Monterey Grass Getter Systemic Selective Herbicide have sethoxydim in them. These products must be applied to actively growing bermudagrass and other grassy weeds to be effective. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Once you get the initial invasion of grass under control you can apply these products to the bermudagrass around the outer edges of the bed occasionally to keep it from creeping back in."
You can also spot-treat with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate, taking care not to allow any spray to contact the asparagus plants.
Organic control:
Combination of cutting and removing top growth and root systems (carefully digging them out by hand) followed by covering the soil between asparagus crowns with black plastic or cardboard to block sunlight. This can eventually weaken and kill it.
Interesting OK study on controlling bermudagrass:
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/bermudagrass-suppression-methods-for-oklahoma-home-gardens.html
Jon
Straw will probably not help with a serious infestation. Bermudagrass is one of the worst grassy weeds you can have in an asparagus bed.
Chemical control:
A colleague in Oklahoma answered a similar question recently:
"Herbicide products containing the active ingredient sethoxydim are labeled for use in and around asparagus beds as well as other vegetables and is very effective at controlling bermudagrass and many other grassy weeds. Consumer products such as Bonide Grass Beater II Concentrate, Ferti-Lome Over-The-Top II Grass Killer, Hi-Yield Grass Killer Postemergence Grass Herbicide, and Monterey Grass Getter Systemic Selective Herbicide have sethoxydim in them. These products must be applied to actively growing bermudagrass and other grassy weeds to be effective. Be sure to read and follow all label directions. Once you get the initial invasion of grass under control you can apply these products to the bermudagrass around the outer edges of the bed occasionally to keep it from creeping back in."
You can also spot-treat with a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate, taking care not to allow any spray to contact the asparagus plants.
Organic control:
Combination of cutting and removing top growth and root systems (carefully digging them out by hand) followed by covering the soil between asparagus crowns with black plastic or cardboard to block sunlight. This can eventually weaken and kill it.
Interesting OK study on controlling bermudagrass:
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/bermudagrass-suppression-methods-for-oklahoma-home-gardens.html
Jon
I have read the response and liked what i read. I looked at the other information and got the idea that I could use some powerful herbicides to do the job. I am concerned that I will have to toss the entire bunch this year. Will that be the outcome?
Dave
Hi- if you go the herbicide route, follow all label directions. Waiting to spray until after harvest would be prudent.
If the infestation is overwhelming you may want to consider cutting down the top growth in late September, and digging up and re-planting the crowns if a clean bed can be prepared in another location.
Jon
If the infestation is overwhelming you may want to consider cutting down the top growth in late September, and digging up and re-planting the crowns if a clean bed can be prepared in another location.
Jon
