Control Nutsedge Before It Takes Over: Lawn Tips for Ohio Homeowners

June is when your lawn is growing strong. But that also means fast-growing weeds are trying to outpace it. And one of the worst offenders is nutsedge.

If you’ve spotted wiry, lime-green blades sticking out taller than the rest of your lawn virtually moments after mowing, you’re not alone. This aggressive invader can quickly make a tidy lawn look patchy and uneven. But with the right knowledge and strategy, you can keep it under control.

What Is Nutsedge in Ohio Lawns?

Despite how it looks, nutsedge isn’t grass—it’s a sedge.

That matters. Because it’s a completely different plant type, standard weed control won’t work. Most over-the-counter sprays are designed for broadleaf weeds or grassy weeds, not sedges.

One simple way to tell what you’re dealing with is to pull one up and feel the base. Nutsedge has a triangular stem, not round like grass. If it rolls like a prism in your fingers, that’s your weed!

Why Nutsedge Is So Hard to Get Rid Of

Nutsedge spreads in three persistent ways:

1. Seeds – Carried by wind or rain, they germinate quickly in warm, moist conditions.
2. Rhizomes – Underground stems that spread sideways and shoot up new plants.
3. Tubers (Nutlets) – These underground “energy pods” can lie dormant for years and regrow even after you think you’ve removed the plant.

Unfortunately, even if you pull it up, those nutlets are still lurking beneath the surface, ready to sprout again.

Where Nutsege Loves to Grow: Low Spots and Poor Drainage

Nutsedge thrives in wet, compacted areas, especially spots that stay damp longer than the rest of your lawn. That includes:

• Low-lying sections of the yard
• Soil near downspouts or poorly graded patios
• Shady areas where evaporation is slower
• Hardpan soil with poor percolation

If nutsedge keeps showing up in the same place, it’s likely not just a weed issue – it could be a drainage problem.

Want to get ahead of it? Take steps to improve your yard’s water flow and turf strength. Our blog on late spring lawn care shares a few smart ways to set the stage early in the season.

Mow High in Summer to Keep Weeds Away

The best DIY tactic for suppressing nutsedge is simple:

Mow at 4 inches. Every time.

Cutting your lawn too short (especially along edges) creates stress, exposes the soil, and gives nutsedge an open invitation to hang out. Taller turf shades the soil and strengthens your lawn’s defenses.

For more mowing strategies that help prevent weeds and disease, check out our guide: Best Lawn Mowing Tips for Mentor

✂️ From Don: Why Mowing Matters

“95% of people mow too short. They do it to avoid mowing as often or because they see their neighbors do it, but it’s hurting their lawn. I’ve seen it year after year in my own community.

When summer hits and temperatures go above 75°F, lawns that are cut too short start to struggle. By the time it’s 85°F in June, I start getting calls asking what we did wrong, why the edges are full of weeds, or why the lawn is brown. The truth? Most of the time, it comes down to mowing height.

I’ve spent years trying to educate clients—with printed materials, tools, even morning pep talks with my team. We teach because it matters. Because mowing isn’t just about appearance—it’s about plant health, weed prevention, water savings, and avoiding expensive treatments.

I might not be able to change every client’s habits. But I’ll never stop trying.”

– Don, Owner of Ecolawn

Smart Watering = Stronger Turf

Nutsedge loves soggy soil, so don’t overdo it.

• Water deeply but infrequently, about once or twice a week.
• Aim for moisture 6 inches deep, not just surface-level saturation.
• Water in the early morning to avoid evaporation and reduce disease risk.
• Skip watering areas that are naturally damp or shaded.

Even with good drainage, overwatering can cause problems, especially during humid Ohio summers.

Seeing Nutsedge In Your Lawn? Here’s What To Do

If you’re spotting nutsedge in your yard:

• Don’t use standard weed killer, it won’t work.
• Don’t yank it out by hand, you’ll leave tubers behind.
• Do take a photo and send it to your technician.
• Ask us about sedge-specific treatments tailored to your lawn.

If nutsedge has already taken over a large portion of your lawn, recovery might involve aeration and overseeding in the fall. Learn how this approach restores dense, healthy turf: Fall in Love with Your Lawn: The Dynamic Duo of Aeration and Overseeding

You Don’t Have to Solve It Alone

Our after-service emails include seasonal reminders about mowing, watering, and lawn health. If you’re not sure what’s going on or if that patch of weeds is actually nutsedge please reach out to us! 

We’ll help diagnose it and create a plan to control it effectively and safely.

Bottom Line: Nutsedge might look like grass, but it’s not. It grows faster, spreads aggressively, and thrives in wet, poorly drained spots. Raise your mowing height, improve drainage, water smart—and we’ll handle the rest.

10 Nutsedge FAQs 

1. What is nutsedge and how can I identify it?
   Nutsedge is a fast-growing sedge with a triangular stem and glossy yellow-green blades that grow taller than turfgrass.
2. Is nutsedge a grass or a weed?
   Nutsedge is a weed, but botanically, it’s a sedge, not a grass—so it requires different treatment.
3. How does nutsedge spread?
   Nutsedge spreads by seeds, underground rhizomes, and tubers (nutlets), which makes it especially difficult to control.
4. Why is nutsedge hard to kill?
   Nutsedge grows quickly, spreads underground, and isn’t affected by typical weed killers meant for grass or broadleaf weeds.
5. Where does nutsedge grow in my lawn?
   Nutsedge thrives in low spots, wet areas, compacted soil, and poorly drained parts of the yard.
6. How can I improve drainage to prevent nutsedge?
   Regrade low areas, aerate your soil, extend downspouts, and fix runoff problems to reduce ideal growing conditions.
7. What is the best mowing height to prevent nutsedge?
   Mow at 4 inches to shade the soil, strengthen your turf, and discourage nutsedge growth.
8. Can I pull nutsedge by hand?
   Pulling nutsedge usually leaves behind tubers (nutlets) that regrow, so manual removal often backfires.
9. What kind of herbicide kills nutsedge?
   Only sedge-specific herbicides work on nutsedge. Contact a lawn care provider for professional treatment.

How do I know if I have nutsedge or just fast-growing grass?
Pull a blade and roll it in your fingers—nutsedge has a triangle-shaped stem, unlike gras,s which is round.