How do I get rid of poa annua?

Poa annua, or annual bluegrass, is a winter annual weed that can be found in both lawns and gardens. This grassy weed is most identifiable by its light green color, short seed head, and can commonly be mistaken for Kentucky bluegrass. Poa annua has a shallow root system and tends to thrive in shady and damp areas on the lawn.

Poa Annua Life Cycle

It’s important to know the life cycle of the poa annua plant in order to get rid of it. As it is a winter annual weed, poa annua seeds germinate in late summer/early fall, once soil temperatures fall below 70°F. The seedlings mature in fall, lay dormant in winter, and flower and produce seeds in late spring/early summer.

How to Get Rid of Poa Annua

The best way to get rid of poa annua is to apply a pre-emergent to prevent seedlings from sprouting and getting the chance to germinate. Only apply pre-emergent if you don’t plan to seed. Apply Veri-Green Crabgrass Preventer plus Lawn Fertilizer or Season-Long Weed Preventer in early fall to prevent seedlings from sprouting.  Poa annua can be difficult to remove entirely, as the seeds can survive through many seasons without germinating. It’s best to use prevention methods early to avoid them becoming a recurring problem.

How to Prevent Poa Annua

Water Deeply

Watering your lawn deeply (at least six to eight inches) and infrequently will prevent moisture from reaching poa annua’s shallow root system.

Raise Mower Height

Set your mower to three to four inches high. This will help the grass to grow taller and thicker, creating an environment that makes it hard for the poa annua to survive.