Is spurge invading your lawn or park strip? Here’s what you can do

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s the peak time for spurge invasions. This weed often creeps up during the hottest times of the year, and unfortunately for Utahns, it also thrives in slightly drier conditions.

 

What is spurge?

According to KSL Greenhouse Host Taun Beddes, spurge is part of the euphorbia family, which explains its waxy leaves. It is also related to poinsettias.

“If you snap a little vine or branch off of it, you’ll actually see a little white milky substance come out,” Beddes said.

It starts to germinate in the spring, when the soil temperatures hit around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. While it remains small, developing only three or four leaves, it does send a long root down 12 to 18 inches deep. Because of that deep root and waxy leaves, it starts to spread once the outside temperature jumps to 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

“It is a very prolific seed producer. One plant can produce hundreds of seeds,” Beddes added.

What starts with one or two plants can easily take over within just two or three years. And because it’s so hot, volatization then becomes an issue.

“Many of our lawn weed killers that would potentially take it out, it’s just too hot to use them because they have 2,4-D and dicamba, which can volatilize, and the vapor can damage ornamental plants that you don’t want damaged,” Beddes explained.

So what can be done?

The focus should lie on maintaining a healthy lawn.

“You can’t just fix years of neglect and unintentional mismanagement in one spray,” Beddes said. “Sometimes, if you have a really bad spurge infestation, it could take two or three years to get it under control.”

If it’s on your park strip, Beddes recommends utilizing the Flip Your Strip program.

If the spurge is not in your grass, there is some good news: it’s much easier to manage. If it’s small and just on the ground, Beddes said you can easily hoe it out.

However, if you try to dig out the seed heads, you’ll just be casting seeds onto the ground for next year. Instead, spray a pre-emergent containing isoxaben or cover the area with mulch.

“Mulch will prevent it in flower beds (and vegetable gardens). If you can get mulch three or four inches deep in your flower beds, it’ll prevent it.”

 

Read more from the KSL Greenhouse show:

• Got lawn problems? It may be one of these fungal diseases
• How to prevent billbug damage in your grass
• Looking for a colorful vegetable that’s easy to grow? Try beets

KSL Greenhouse is live on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.