LAWN CARE

Poa Annua Control That Restores Your Lawn

Poa annua is one of the most frustrating weeds for Charlotte fescue lawns. Our targeted two-treatment program stops this invasive grassy weed before it takes over your lawn and leaves unsightly bare spots come summer.

Poa annua (annual bluegrass) with distinctive white seed heads among fescue grass, illustrating the invasive weed's growth and potential to create bare patches in lawns.

The Sneaky Weed That Looks Like Fescue

Poa annua (annual bluegrass) blends in with your fescue during fall and spring, making it nearly impossible to spot until it’s too late. By spring, it develops distinctive white seed heads—and when summer heat arrives, it dies off completely, leaving behind patchy bare spots throughout your lawn.

Disguises itself as healthy fescue during cooler months

Produces white seed heads in spring that spread rapidly

Dies in summer heat, leaving bare patches across your lawn

Extremely difficult to control with standard weed treatments

Returns year after year from seeds left in the soil

Two Targeted Treatments, Timed Just Right

Since you can’t use normal pre-emergent on fescue lawns in fall (it would prevent your overseeding from germinating), we use a specialized product that targets poa annua without harming your fescue. Applied at precisely the right time, it eliminates young poa that has germinated while preventing new seeds from sprouting for 30 days.

First treatment in mid-November, 3-4 weeks after fall seeding

Second treatment in mid-December for extended protection

Eliminates young poa annua that has already germinated

Prevents new poa seeds from sprouting for 30 days

Safe for your fescue lawn—won't interfere with fall seeding

FineTurf lawn care sign in lush green grass, promoting topdressing services with contact number 704.309.4204.

Is Poa Annua Control Right for Your Lawn?

This program is designed specifically for fescue lawns only. If you have a warm-season lawn (bermuda or zoysia), poa annua control is already included in your regular lawn care program—no additional treatment needed.

For fescue customers dealing with poa annua, this two-treatment program provides the targeted protection you need without interfering with your fall overseeding schedule.

How Poa Annua Control Works

Strategic timing is everything when it comes to stopping poa annua.

1

Fall Seeding First

You complete your fall overseeding as normal. We wait 3-4 weeks to ensure your new fescue seed has established before applying the first treatment.

2

Mid-November Treatment

We apply the first treatment to eliminate any young poa annua that has germinated and create a barrier preventing new seeds from sprouting.

3

Mid-December Treatment

The second treatment 25-30 days later extends protection through the critical germination window, keeping your lawn poa-free through winter.

Complete Your Fescue Lawn Care

Poa annua control works best as part of a comprehensive lawn care approach.

Overseeding

Thicken your fescue lawn each fall to crowd out weeds naturally.

Aeration

Relieve soil compaction to help your fescue roots grow deeper.

Lawn Care Program

Year-round fertilization and weed control for a healthy fescue lawn.

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Poa Annua Questions Answered

What is poa annua and why is it such a problem?

Poa annua (annual bluegrass) is a grassy weed that germinates in fall and thrives during cooler months—the same time your fescue is at its best. It blends in perfectly during fall and spring, but produces distinctive white seed heads in late spring. When summer heat arrives, poa annua dies completely, leaving behind bare patches throughout your lawn that require reseeding.

Why can't I just use regular pre-emergent in fall?

Standard pre-emergent herbicides prevent all seeds from germinating—including the fescue seed you put down during fall overseeding. Since most Charlotte fescue lawns need annual overseeding, using regular pre-emergent would defeat the purpose. Our specialized product targets poa annua specifically while allowing your fescue to establish.

When exactly are the treatments applied?

The first treatment is applied in mid-November, typically 3-4 weeks after fall seeding when your new fescue has established. The second treatment follows 25-30 days later in mid-December. This timing targets the window after your grass has established but before most poa annua has germinated.

Do I need this if I have a bermuda or zoysia lawn?

No—warm-season lawns like bermuda and zoysia already receive pre-emergent applications as part of their regular lawn care program. Poa annua control is specifically designed for fescue customers who cannot use traditional pre-emergent due to fall seeding requirements.

Will this completely eliminate poa annua from my lawn?

While our two-treatment program significantly reduces poa annua populations, complete elimination typically requires consistent treatment over multiple seasons. Poa annua seeds can remain viable in soil for years, so ongoing prevention is the most effective long-term strategy.

Stop Poa Annua Before It Starts

Don’t let this sneaky weed leave your fescue lawn full of bare spots next summer. Our targeted two-treatment program gives your lawn the protection it needs.

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