As the spring wakes up our meadows, the Team for Healthy Parks is keeping a close eye out for unwelcome plants like Johnson grass.
Johnson grass isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a serious problem for urban park ecosystems. Its rapid spread crowds out native vegetation, disrupting the balance of biodiversity and habitat.
How do we manage it?
- Early detection: we begin to look for its tall, coarse blades even before it creates its distinctive seed heads.
- Regular mowing can help keep Johnson Grass in check, so early spring mowing and bush hogging is a great management tool to slow down seed production.
- Pulling and digging: for smaller infestations, manually pulling or digging out the grass, ensuring to remove the entire root system, can be effective. Homeowners may want to try this method.
- Herbicides can help us control larger infestations as the growing season progresses and we begin to see seeds.
- Promote native plants: a healthy, diverse ecosystem can outcompete Johnson Grass, reducing its presence over time.
If you see us mowing managed meadow and prairie spaces in April, give us a wave and keep an eye out for beautiful waves of grasses and happy pollinators in a few weeks!
Find something similar: News Cherokee Park Iroquois Park
