How do I get rid of white bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) in my lawn?

White bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) can spread rapidly in a lawn and is difficult to remove permanently. To control or eliminate it, you should follow a few basic steps.

What works against white ostrich grass?

As a general rule, we recommend the following procedures:

– Water the lawn thoroughly only once a week
Frequent, light watering helps the feather grass thrive.

– Pull out or dig up affected areas
If possible, remove both the above-ground and underground parts of the plants, and then reseed the area.

– Scarify regularly
Important: The gaps that result must be filled immediately by reseeding to prevent the ostrich grass from spreading again.

In cases of very severe or widespread infestation, it is often no longer practical to control white fescue. In such cases, we recommend reseeding the lawn to restore an even lawn surface in the long term.

How can I identify white ostrich grass?

Typical identifying characteristics include:

– The lawn looks patchy
– When you step on it, it feels soft and spongy, similar to moss
– In hot, dry weather, the grass turns brown quickly

Additional botanical characteristics:

– Dark blue-green spots on the lawn
– Stolon-forming: long, above-ground, densely leafed creeping shoots
– Very delicate, whitish flowers