Grassbur
Sand burrs, grass burrs, sand spurs and stickers
are all the same noxious annual weed.
Grassburs, grass burrs, grass-burs, sand spurs, sand burs and stickers are all the same noxious annual weed, Cenchrus pauciflorus. They are present on your site for one reason only – you have sandy or otherwise infertile soil. Improve the health of the soil and the grassburs and other pioneer plants will vanish.
Toxic chemicals will make this problem worse, by hurting the soil. The application of the Basic Organic Program is the general solution. All the products and amendments in the basic program will improve the level of carbon and the related biological activity. When that happens humic acid becomes available in the soil and that process shuts down the germination of grassburs and other problematic annual weeds. Weed seed are still there, they just don’t sprout.
To speed up the good process, applying dry molasses and spraying Garrett Juice (especially in the fall) will help greatly. Applying compost and compost tea can also help. On acreage, the best first step is the application of shredded tree trimmings that are available from most any tree care company. They should be broadcast heavy enough to cover all bare soil but not heavy enough to smother the existing turf. When the budget allows, broadcasting lava sand at least 20 lbs per 1000 sq ft will help hold moisture in the soil. It can be done any time of the year. Also Azomite will help greatly if used at the manufacturer’s recommended rates.
In the spring, around mid to late February, corn gluten meal should be applied up to a rate of 25 lbs per 1000 sq ft. It is a natural pre-emergent and fertilizer.
