Millet in the lawn: this is how you control finger millet correctly

Especially after hot spells it spreads in the race often millet out and causes problems there. Newly laid out and still patchy lawns offer the various types of millet an ideal breeding ground. So it can happen that it not only hampers the growth of the young grasses in the lawn, but almost completely displaces them. In this article, we have summarized for you how to properly combat the finger millet.

millet

Millet, a small husky grain, is one of the oldest types of grain that we know. It belongs to the sweet grass family and probably originally comes from Asia. Many species of the annual herbaceous plant are used as food for their grains. The wild ones, commonly referred to as weeds Types of millet are considered somewhat more differentiated from a botanical point of view. However, few garden owners are likely to be interested in whether species of Digitaria, Setaria or finger millet (Eleusine) make their way into the lawn.

Appearance and occurrence

In the last 20 years, numerous types of millet have been introduced to Central Europe or even introduced, which has since exploded through birds, water, wind and contaminated seeds spread us. Depending on the weather, millet will germinate as early as the end of May. It can be easily distinguished from the usual lawn grasses by the light green, quite wide stalks. As soon as the Finger millet Developing side shoots, it forms larger clumps and thereby displaces the lawn grasses. Unfortunately, the sweet grass tolerates a lawn cut very well. In this case, the millet simply forms short flower stalks below the height of the lawn cut.

Multiplication

As an annual plant, millet reproduces via seeds. A single plant can be several thousand Seeds to produce. The unpleasant thing about it is that almost every type of millet, unlike most other grasses, has its own Form flower spikes also flat above the ground - and thus below the cutting height of the lawnmower can. If the days get shorter in autumn and the temperatures drop, the millet dies. Unfortunately, this does not solve the problem in the lawn by itself, because the numerous seeds remain viable in the soil for decades even after the mother plant has died. In order for the seeds to germinate, at least two conditions must be met.

• warm, dry weather with temperatures above 20 degrees
• the sunnier the location, the better
• open areas in the lawn

Manual combat

If millet is spotted in the lawn from the end of May, it should be pulled out by hand or cut out as early as possible. Finger millet does not have particularly deep roots, so it is not difficult to remove from the earth. Since the sweetgrass is in a hurry to multiply, the first seeds appear after just a few weeks. It is imperative to prevent their formation. If you succeed in stopping the seeds from spreading, you will have already done it in many cases and rest from the annoying herb for the next year.

Other environmentally friendly measures

The following measures have proven effective for combating fingergrass in the lawn.

Scarify flat

One effective way to control the grass is to scarify the lawn flat. The device is set so that the knives do not touch the ground. Instead, the flat stems of the millet plants are lifted and can then be picked up with the lawnmower, which should be set very flat. This measure is far less strenuous than weeding each individual plant by hand. It is best to scarify the lawn in autumn. In this way, a thicker lawn cover can form in the following spring.

• start mowing as early as March (from 10 degrees)
• If the temperature rises above 20 degrees for a longer period of time: scarify
• depending on the weather, for the first time from the end of May
• Scarify the area twice
• once lengthways
• once across
• then mow flat
• repeat the process in autumn

Form a dense lawn scar

Finger millet grows particularly in patchy, thin lawns. It is therefore effective to combat them if the lawn area is always kept nice and tight by reseeding. If the sward has closed sufficiently by the following year, the unwanted sweet grass can hardly develop.

Manure and mow

If the lawn is fertilized, the millet, which otherwise grows rather flat, straightens up. So it can be better recorded with the lawnmower set low. In addition, the fertilization also strengthens the lawn grass, so that it grows stronger and denser.

• Time: May to August
• preferably immediately after scarifying
• fertilize with lawn-soil activator in spring
• use fertilizer with a high concentration of potassium in autumn
• often cut short
• water in case of drought
• Avoid waterlogging

Limescale

Since the different types of millet prefer to be comfortable in soils with an acidic pH value, liming the lawn may make sense to combat the invasive plant. To check the pH of the garden soil, simple tests are available in stores. If the result is below the ideal pH value of 6 to 7, treatment with algae lime is recommended, which can be used without any problems during the entire growing season.

Chemical control

Conventional lawn weed killers only work against dicotyledonous plants. However, since the different types of millet - just like the noble grasses - belong to the monocot plants, the remedies are unsuccessful. It is of course possible to control weed millet with chemical means. However, herbicides in the home garden should always be used with caution, as they pose a risk to people and the environment that should not be underestimated. It is therefore imperative that you observe the manufacturer's information. There are two types of chemical control.

Pre-emptying

• Time: late April to early May
• before germination
• Active ingredients stop the growth process
• available as granules or spray emulsion
• re-application necessary in mid-June
• for new sowings at least up to the 4th Waiting for grass clippings

Follow-up control

• Time: beginning of June to end of August
• in the 4th until 5. Leaf stage
• usually apply as a spray emulsion
• after application, it should not rain for a few hours
• is absorbed by the leaves
• possibly repeat the application after two weeks

Biological control

Fight weed millet biologically

A relatively new approach to combating weed millet comes from the USA. There, too, the annoying lawn weeds are spreading rapidly. The use of cornstarch, which has a similar effect as a herbicide, is recommended. The proteins in the corn starch prevent the roots from forming in the seedlings and thus ensure that the young millet plant dies. It must be tested whether this measure actually shows the desired success. In this country there is a lack of experience in this regard.

• Remove leaves from the lawn in advance
• Spread corn starch with the fertilizer wagon
• Sprinkle on rainy days or alternatively water well

Prevent

Weeds such as millet also only thrive under good conditions. In order to grow, it needs light, space and, above all, warmth. A dense sward makes it difficult for millet to assert itself. Therefore, fill in bald spots with new grass seeds and provide the lawn with sufficient water and nutrients.

Create a new lawn

Anyone who creates a new lawn should do so in autumn in order to create unfavorable conditions for the various types of millet to spread right from the start. At this time of year it is too cool for it to germinate. In early spring, a check is carried out to see whether there are any spots where the lawn has grown poorly. In this case, reseed as soon as possible. It is best to use a slow release fertilizer straight away. This also strengthens the weeds, but more important is a dense sward.

Extreme infestation

Especially when creating new lawns, it can happen that under unfavorable conditions the finger millet spreads so strongly that it overgrows almost the entire area. In this case, the following measures are recommended:

Sow again

Once the millet has spread over the entire lawn, only the removal of the entire sward will help. In autumn, the seeds are then re-sown.

Turf

If all measures do not help because there are already countless seeds in the ground, a turf is the last chance to get the millet under control. A turf can also be laid in summer. In this case, a beautiful, dense lawn is guaranteed right from the start.