We all want a lawn full of lush, green grass! Why does grass sometimes look like wheat? Can it be prevented? Keep reading to find out how to get rid of grass that looks like wheat.
Why does the top of my grass look like wheat?
Those stalks of seeds are not actually wheat but a natural and normal part of the grass life cycle. The part of the grass that looks like wheat is called a seed head. In most grass varieties, seed heads will appear sometime in the spring.
What are seed heads?
Seeds heads are a result of your grass putting all its energy into seed production. Since the grass is working so hard on seed production, the grass blades may look lighter in color.
For most cool season grass species, like Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, and Kentucky Bluegrass, seed heads form in the spring. For some Bluegrass varieties, the seed heads form very early in the spring.
Grass seed heads only appear for about 2-4 weeks, depending on the type of grass. This means that that seedy, stemmy look is only temporary.
Grass needs to make seeds in order to reproduce. This is a natural part of plant survival. Therefore, if the yard is stressed, it may produce more seeds. For example, lots of seed heads are usually a sign that the soil is too dry.
Are seed heads weeds?
Many homeowners are concerned when seed heads appear. After all, it may look like your yard is full of weeds! Good news! Seed heads are not weeds.
How can I manage seed heads?
Although seed heads are not weeds and are a regular part of your lawn’s life cycle, they can appear unsightly. There aren’t any fertilizers or chemicals to get rid of seed heads, either, since they are a part of the grass.
However, you can take some action steps to reduce the appearance of seed heads.
Make sure your lawn is getting enough water
Seed production and grass growth in the spring make for thirsty grass! Your grass’ watering requirements may be higher than you think.
In the spring, your lawn should need about 1 – 1 ½ inches of water per week. Water the lawn between midnight and 6 a.m. for the best results. This will help the grass grow quickly, so the seed heads can grow out.
Mow the lawn often
Trim off the seed heads frequently. Seed heads can be a little tricky cut cleanly, so make sure your mower blade is sharp! Set the mowing height at 3 to 3 ½ inches and mow one to two times per week in the spring.
It may be tempting to lower the mower blade height to remove the seed heads. I don’t recommend that! A low mower blade may damage vital parts of the grass plant.
Use a fertilizer as directed
A fed lawn is a healthy lawn! Spring is a great time to use a weed and feed fertilizer or a lawn food especially designed for spring application. The more healthy the grass, the less likely it will grow lots of seed heads. The duration of the seeding phase will be shorter, as well.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, don’t worry too much about grass that looks like a field of wheat! It is a part of the grass’ reproduction process and will be over soon. Keep grass healthy and well-watered to reduce the number of seed heads and shorten the seed phase.