Poa Annua Annual Bluegrass
Poa Annua, also known as Annual Bluegrass, is a clumpy, grassy weed common in the Southeast. Its leaf blade is smooth on both surfaces, with a distinctive boat-shaped tip. A light green to whitish seed head usually appears in late February or early March.
Annual Bluegrass reproduces by seed, which germinates in September and October.
Control and Prevention
The most effective way to control Poa Annua is with a pre-emergent herbicide, applied to warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia in the fall (September and October). Pre-emergents prevent seeds from germinating, which is key, since Poa Annua is a seed-spreading weed.
Note: Pre-emergent herbicides are not applied to Fescue in the fall due to aeration and overseeding. Whether you're doing this yourself or having King GREEN handle it, pre-emergent cannot be applied after seeding because it will also prevent the Fescue seed from germinating.
If you’re a new King GREEN customer and did not receive fall pre-emergent applications (Rounds 6 and 7), this may be why you’re seeing Poa Annua now. We recommend living with it through spring, as it will naturally die out once temperatures begin to rise.
What You Can Do Now
Poa Annua is most noticeable in early spring, especially in lawns that missed fall pre-emergent.
To help improve appearance:
Scalp your Bermuda or Zoysia in mid to late March
Bag your clippings during the first few mowings
Even after the weed dies, it will remain visible until your lawn is actively growing and mowed regularly.
About the Author
For over three decades, King Green has been dedicated to revolutionizing lawn care. Our journey began with a vision to create greener, healthier lawns. Beautifully maintained grass in Mcdonough, GA Over the years, we have honed our expertise, leading to countless success stories of transforming ordinary lawns into vibrant landscapes. Our commitment to innovation and quality has been the driving force behind our history of excellence in lawn care service.
