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Pest Guides Lawn Care Guides

Goosegrass Guide

Identify

Inspect

Treat

Prevent

What Does Goosegrass Look Like?

Characteristics of Goosegrass

Goosegrass can be recognized by the following features:

  • Multiple stems grow from a single root in a rosette or clump.
  • The base of the plant has a silver or gray hue.
  • Dark green leaves are flat or slightly folded.
  • Stems are tufted or hairy near the base but become smooth farther out.
  • The weed grows between half an inch to 2 feet tall.
  • Seeds at the end of leaves resemble a zipper.
  • White flowers with four petals appear from late summer to early fall.

Where and When Does Goosegrass Grow?

Goosegrass is typically found in areas with:

  • Thin grass coverage, compacted soil, and poor drainage.
  • Lawns mowed short and subject to high foot traffic.

This weed thrives in both warm and cool-season turf, preferring sunlight and moisture. It is widespread across the United States.

Goosegrass germinates in late spring to early summer when soil temperatures reach 63–65°F. Since it often germinates after pre-emergent herbicides have degraded in the soil, goosegrass can be challenging to prevent. A split pre-emergent application helps extend treatment effectiveness. Learn more in our Goosegrass Prevention Guide.

If you suspect goosegrass may be growing in your yard, explore our Goosegrass Inspection Guide to learn where to locate it. Click the right arrow below to continue.

How to Identify Goosegrass

When and Where to Spot Goosegrass

Goosegrass is a clump-forming weed that spreads through seeds, often invading lawns. If you suspect goosegrass is present on your property, take note of the following growth patterns and locations.

When Does Goosegrass Grow?

Goosegrass emerges from late spring through summer, germinating when soil temperatures reach 63-65 degrees. This late germination often occurs after early pre-emergent herbicide treatments have lost effectiveness, allowing the weed to grow unchecked.

A split application of pre-emergent herbicides can address this issue, with the first treatment applied before soil temperatures exceed 55 degrees. For more details, visit our Goosegrass Prevention Guide.

Where Does Goosegrass Grow?

Goosegrass is more likely to thrive in areas with the following conditions:

  • Compacted soil
  • Poor drainage
  • Short-cut turf (mowed to about 1 inch)
  • Thin, sparse grass coverage
  • Heavy foot traffic

Goosegrass can establish itself in both warm-season and cool-season turf across the United States.

If you’ve identified goosegrass in your lawn, discover effective removal methods in our How to Get Rid of Goosegrass Guide. Click the right arrow below to learn more.

Goosegrass Weed Treatment

The Goosegrass Removal Guide

Goosegrass, also referred to as Indian Goosegrass, yard-grass, silver crabgrass, or crowfootgrass, is a summer annual weed that emerges in late spring and thrives in lawns nationwide.

This clump-forming weed is often mistaken for crabgrass but can be identified by its silver base, dark green leaves, and seed heads resembling zippers. It also produces small, four-petaled white flowers in late summer and early fall.

Due to its late germination, goosegrass often escapes early pre-emergent herbicide treatments, allowing it to grow even in treated lawns.

If you’re dealing with goosegrass in your yard, read on to discover effective strategies to eliminate this invasive weed.

Step1 Apply a Selective Post-Emergent Herbicide

How To Use Post-Emergent Herbicide Weed Killers

Once goosegrass has appeared in your yard, it’s too late to apply a pre-emergent herbicide. Instead, opt for a selective post-emergent herbicide specifically labeled for controlling goosegrass in the area you’re treating. Some products may only be approved for use in landscaped areas, while others are suitable for lawn and turf applications.

Mix the herbicide with water in a hand pump sprayer according to the product label instructions. Spray the goosegrass weeds thoroughly. Within a week of application, the weeds should begin to wilt and die. Multiple applications may be required for complete control of goosegrass.

Always wear protective clothing, including gloves, long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes, while applying the herbicide. Allow the product to dry completely (usually about one hour) before permitting pets and children to return to the treated area.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Pro Tip

If treating goosegrass in a lawn, choose an herbicide labeled for your specific grass type to avoid damage to the surrounding desirable turf. Using an incompatible herbicide may harm your lawn.

Step2 Spot Treat Weeds

A non-selective post-emergent herbicide can also be effective for controlling goosegrass. Apply the herbicide directly to the weeds you can see, avoiding broad applications across the entire yard. Be cautious, as non-selective herbicides target all plants they come into contact with, potentially harming the surrounding turf.

Products we recommend for Step 2

Step3 Manually Remove Weeds

If goosegrass starts appearing in your lawn, you can manually remove it by hand or with a small trowel. The process is easiest when the soil is damp, such as after a rainfall.

Make sure to extract the entire root system along with the leaves and stems to prevent regrowth. Dispose of the removed weeds in a lawn bag—leaving them on the turf may allow them to re-root or spread seeds, leading to new weed growth.

Step4 Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide

How to Effectively Use Pre-Emergent Weed Preventers
Applying a pre-emergent herbicide before weeds emerge in your yard is a proactive way to prevent goosegrass and other weeds from establishing in your lawn.

Since goosegrass germinates later than many other weeds, a single pre-emergent application may not be sufficient. To ensure effective control, use a split-application approach by applying the pre-emergent once in early spring and again in late spring.

For detailed instructions and product recommendations, check out our guide on spring pre-emergent applications.

Products we recommend for Step 4

Once you’ve eliminated goosegrass from your lawn, discover effective strategies to prevent future outbreaks in our How to Stop Goosegrass guide. Click the right arrow below to continue.

How to Prevent Goosegrass Weed

Tips for Keeping Goosegrass Out of Your Lawn

Goosegrass, often referred to as silver crabgrass, is an invasive and unattractive weed that typically appears in lawns during late spring and early summer.

If your lawn has been affected by goosegrass in the past or is susceptible to this weed, there are proactive measures you can take to prevent its return. Read on to discover effective prevention strategies.

Step1 Use Split Pre-Emergent Herbicide Applications

Pre-emergent herbicides are an effective tool for preventing weeds from germinating and growing in your lawn. Typically, these treatments are applied in early spring when soil temperatures are below 55 degrees to target weeds like crabgrass and nutsedge that germinate in March and April. However, goosegrass tends to germinate later in the season, when soil temperatures reach 63-65 degrees, often bypassing the effectiveness of a single early spring pre-emergent application.

To combat this, apply pre-emergent herbicides twice in the spring, spacing the applications 5 to 10 weeks apart. This approach extends the effectiveness of the treatment, preventing late-germinating weeds like goosegrass from taking hold.

Always follow the product label for specific instructions on application timing and the appropriate amount of herbicide to use for each treatment.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Step2 Enhance Lawn Health

Goosegrass often thrives in lawns with sparse turf, compacted soil, poor drainage, and grass that has been cut too short. Improving the overall health of your lawn can naturally reduce the likelihood of goosegrass returning in the future.

Take the following steps to improve your lawn and prevent goosegrass:

  • Maintain Proper Mowing Heights: Keep your grass blades at least 1 inch long throughout the summer. Cutting the grass too short stresses the turf, making it more vulnerable to weed infestations.
  • Aerate the Soil: Use an aerator at the start of spring (before applying pre-emergent herbicide) to break up compacted soil and encourage healthy root growth.
  • Seed Bare Patches: Apply grass seed to thin or bare areas in the fall to help the lawn grow thicker, which will crowd out weeds like goosegrass in the spring and summer.
  • Address Drainage Issues: Ensure your lawn has proper drainage to prevent water pooling, which creates conditions ideal for goosegrass growth.
  • Install Pathways in High-Traffic Areas: High foot traffic can stress turf, creating opportunities for goosegrass to thrive. Add walkways or pathways using pavers or wood to reduce foot traffic on vulnerable areas of your lawn.

If you have any questions about the techniques outlined in this article or the products required to prevent and eliminate goosegrass, feel free to reach out to our lawn care experts at 866-581-7378 or email us at

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