So I'm know this topic has been covered numerous times and I've read several post on it. I am trying to get rid of it, but highly doubt I'll be able to. What I am curious about though is the molasses solution. I've read several different ratios of molasses to water. Some being a few ounces to a gallon, and another saying 1/3 to 1/2 a cup per gallon. Also, how often does one do this...monthly, bi-weekly, weekly, etc?

I know the nutsedge is very evil. But figure I'd give it a try and see what the molasses might do. So if anyone can help with the questions I have, I'd appreciate it greatly. I'll probably takes pictures and see if it actually works. Thanks.

Excuse me for being clueless, but what do Nutsedge and Molasses have to do with one another?

From what I've read the molasses causes the soil to have a burst of the good bacteria which rots out the nutsedge. At least that's the idea I got from it, I could be wrong though.

I just need to know how much molasses to actually use to test this theory out. Both my lawns are starting to get over run with the nutsedge. Its saddens me because the bermuda looks good, but the nutsedge grows so much faster then the bermuda right now.

I think JCM in Dallas was going to test out some of Howard Garrett's methods for nutgrass control - maybe he'll chime in here. I'd be interested to see what success he's had.

It sounds like you've already seen Garrett's (aka the Dirt Doctor) recommended rates for granular and drench applications - I haven't seen anything more "authoritative" than that. Let us know your results.

Ok, so here's the scenario I am envisioning....

1. Coat Sedge with Molasses..
2. Deer are attracted to Molasses... so they eat up all the sweet Sedge down to the ground with abandon...
3. Squirrels are attracted to Molasses... so they dig up and eat all the remaining Sedge nuts....
4. Neighbor's dog runs off all the Deer and Squirrels... so there is no evidence of the deer and squirrels....

Magic.. Molasses cures NutSedge....

I am suspicious about the idea that Molasses rots out Sedge... Sedge grows just fine in HOT, active Compost piles.... so my guess is that it is reasonably fungus resistant.... I could be wrong, though...

I could see a possibility that the Sugar messes up whatever sort of fungus or bacteria that colonize the Sedge roots.... and without the Fungus/Bacteria.. the sedge can't grow... Kinda like a pine tree....

Thanks

John

cactus wrote:I think JCM in Dallas was going to test out some of Howard Garrett's methods for nutgrass control - maybe he'll chime in here. I'd be interested to see what success he's had.

I did try the molasses treatment on the nutgrass but I didn't document my application and results. I mixed "some" molasses with water and poured it on the area 3 times over a 3 week period. The nutgrass slowed down so much that I thought it was gone but it has returned with all the rain we've had over the past 2 weeks.

I'm going to have to do another round of treatment but this time I will document my application rates and results along with photos. We all love photos, don't we?

Could it have been that the simple carbs were tying up nitrogen and that's what slowed down the nutgrass? Maybe unlikely - I'd think the nutlettes would have enough reserves to keep going through something small like that.

Exactly my thoughts - the Nitrogen gets tied up. I will be shocked if the nutlets rot. Totally shocked. Happy, but shocked.

Jcmdallas, what rates are you trying? I want to do something weekly as well, but do not want to over do it. 1/2 a cup seems to be quite a bit and not sure it'd ruin the bermuda or not. Let me know, thanks.

If that's the case -- wouldn't dumping a pile of sawdust or charcoal do the same thing?

I honestly turned on the faucet to fill up the watering can and poured in the jug of molasses without having a clue of how much molasses I put it. It was definitely a lot because the smell made me sick to my stomach. The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett, says that the microbes eat the nut so it eventually goes away.

I hate the stuff and have a lot of it and I'm willing to try anything to make it go away. The problem is that it's around a new Savannah Holly that I don't want to damage so applying chemicals is out of the question. Also around the Holly is mondo grass that I don't want to dig up to get to the nuts.

I guess I'll keep working at it.

jcmdallas wrote:The problem is that it's [the nutgrass] around a new Savannah Holly that I don't want to damage so applying chemicals is out of the question. Also around the Holly is mondo grass that I don't want to dig up to get to the nuts.

Did you notice that the molasses had a targeted effect on nutgrass, or did the mondo suffer as well?

Well sounds like more the better huh? I'll stick with the 1/2 cup per gallon and hope for the best. I'll be sure to take pics and record my progress.

Funny thing is I hate the nutsedge, but my girl loves it. She says it feels so much better on bare feet.

1/2 cup per gallon seems like a lot, but it is cheap and otherwise harmless. Please let us know what happens.

Molasses is generally thought of as a bacterial food, so this is going to be interesting.

Ive gotten some since seeding with bermuda. Ive been pulling it, but only getting the roots 1/2 of the time. I'll be watching this thread.

Well I put on a first coat of molasses today. I put 2 gallons down of the mix by watering can (1/2 cup molasses per gallon). I can only hope it works, but skeptical. I'm only doing it on my backyard so if anything goes wrong, well only I will be able to see it. Also, planning to re-do the backyard entirely in a year or two so experimenting with it is pretty fun. I'm not too sure how often I should do this still. I'm thinking weekly. If anyone has any advice against weekly, then please let me know. Don't want to cause any damage. Thanks

Here's a picture I took before mowing to give you an idea of what I am up against.

Date: 7.11.2010

Did you seed that bermuda grass?

I used a pennington seed on my yard, and got that crap. Id never even seen nutsedge before. Im convinced it was in the pennington seed. Either way I found if its pulled early its no big deal. Ive been walking all over my seedlings pulling the weeds. It doesnt hurt the seedlings at all, and Im nearly weed free at this point besides the more mature nutsedge.

I didn't seed it, the grass was there when I bought the home in October. But doesn't mean the previous owner didn't seed it...so who knows.

I did think about pulling them but from what I know about nutsedge, the more you pull the worse it gets...especially in my case where the stuff is already established.

Not sure this seems to be working. I'm putting down a 3rd batch today and have not really seen any noticeable difference. But I'll keep up with it.

Too bad they're not like "Ramps" in the East. Similar plant - people found they were delicious when sauteed with a little olive oil and garlic. Now they're Endangered.