What is Poa Annua?

Poa Annua is a winter annual that thrives in moist soil conditions. It is particularly noticeable in part shade conditions, but can persist throughout lawns due to its low growth habit and ability to seed prolifically. Its green coloring is vibrant and it grows in clumps, therefore distinguishing it from desirable turf grass species. Over the years, we’ve researched and implemented all-natural treatment of Poa Annua in lawns and athletic fields.

Growth Cycle of Poa Annua

Poa Annua can grow from Fall through Spring. Like most Spring weeds, Poa Annua dies off as the heat of summer onsets and you’re left with large dead areas of lawn. These bare areas are extremely unsightly and not optimal for visual standard or field usage.  

How to Control Poa Annua

1. Be Mindful of Mowing Practices – Each plant produces hundreds of seeds that can lay dormant years before sprouting. Also, seeds can store in your mower deck and spread throughout your lawn. Therefore, do your best to bag clippings when this weed is in seed. 
2. Proper Watering—Another critical component is overwatering with irrigation, always do deep infrequent watering and be conscious of PJC’s 1-2-3-2-1 method. Because Poa Annua thrives in moist soil, you want to be sure you are not overwatering.
3. Overseed—establish a dense stand of diverse turf species to crowd out weeds. Yes, we say this all the time. We mean it.
4. Perform a Soil Test—Soil testing gives you a baseline of where your soil is at and dictates product selection. When you soil test with PJC, we provide you a report with product recommendations in easy-to-understand format. Additionally, our Master Product Application Charts list by site product, # of bags, # of applications and when to apply for the season. We update it as new soil tests are taken. As a result, you save time and confusion in your product selection.
5. Contact PJC! We’ve been in the lawn care industry for over 20 years. So, we know what works and simplify the process for you. Here at PJC, we work with landscapers, schools, and municipalities to implement organic turf care programs successfully. 

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again (and again)…Address soil conditions and work in the Spring and Fall to establish a dense stand of turf that will crowd out weeds. It is possible to implement all-natural treatment of poa annua without harmful pesticides. Reach out for info on how we can help you implement organic turf care successfully!