Dogwood (digitaria sanguinalis) is an annual weed that develops from seeds. It is a fairly common weed and takes on a rather unsightly appearance if it begins to invade most of a lawn. While it is quite unlikely that you will be able to get rid of it completely, by keeping your lawn healthy and taking care of it consistently, you will be able to get the upper hand over most of the dogwood.
Steps
Step 1. Tear it off by hand when it develops
Use a hoe or similar tool to uproot it. Try to perform this procedure before the seeds appear, because once sprouted the weed will spread quickly. It's a good idea to get in the habit of taking an inspection tour after your weekly watering to check for weeds and remove them immediately while the soil is still wet. Dispose of the grass in the trash or burn it instead of composting it. This way you avoid the spread of any seeds.
Step 2. Pour boiling water directly on the dogwood plant
This requires a steady hand, though, because if you water other herbs or plants you want to keep, they will die as well.
Step 3. Keep the lawn well watered
Water deeply and not too often. A lawn without adequate irrigation is weaker and the drier environment allows the dogwood to take over. Water once a week and let the lawn absorb 2.5 centimeters of water. The best time to water is early in the morning.
Step 4. Keep the lawn mowed above 6.5-7.5cm
Tall lawns let in less sunlight, taking away the optimal growth conditions for an annual grass like dogwood. Never mow more than a third of the height of the grass at a time.
Step 5. Make sure your lawn is well fed
Feed it regularly. The best way is to use a slow-release granular fertilizer. Alternatively, you can spread organic material such as compost, laminaria, bone meal or blood over the entire surface.
Step 6. Spread a layer of mulch on the lawn once the dogwood is cleared
This is particularly important for filling any holes left in the ground after extracting the weed.. Leave the cut grass on the lawn after mowing it. This way you return the nutrients to the soil, avoid harvesting it and you can reduce the use of fertilizers by 30%. Mulch prevents the dogwood roots from taking root again.
Step 7. Consider using corn gluten meal
This substance interferes with the development of the root system of weeds. You should spread it during the first months of spring and the lawn should be able to dry out between weekly waterings to allow this process to be successful (dogwood is shallow rooted and needs water to maintain its grip.).
Advice
- Try smothering the dogwood that grows between plants. You can keep it under newspaper where it is easy to spread the sheets of paper without killing other plants. This method is effective only among the plants in the flower beds; you could kill the whole lawn if you use this method on an entire area of the garden.
- There is no specific chemical product for dogwood on the market. Avoid using chemicals where possible. Keeping your lawn healthy is your best bet for keeping weeds in check.
- If you live in a dry climate, choose a drought-resistant grass that allows you to water it little. Less frequent, but deeper irrigation discourages the growth of weeds by providing the lawn with the optimal opportunity to grow well.
