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If you've noticed a low-growing weed with small leaves and spreading stems taking over your lawn, you may be dealing with Creeping Indigo.
Creeping Indigo can be a frustrating lawn weed, particularly in warm, subtropical areas such as the Sunshine Coast. It spreads along the ground, produces seed and can be difficult to completely remove once established.
The good news is that with the right approach, you can get on top of it and help prevent it from taking over your lawn.
Creeping indigo is a low growing, spreading legume that can quickly establish in thin or stressed areas of turf. It has a strong taproot, which makes established plants particularly persistent.
Because it grows close to the ground, regular mowing along won't necessarily control it. In fact, plants can continue to spread underneath the mower height and eventually become well established throughout the lawn.
The plant reproduces via seeds, so removing it before it has a chance to seed is crucial in preventing its return to your lawn.
1. Remove Small Plants Early
If you only have a few patches, hand removal can be an effective place to start.
Try to remove the entire plant, including as much of the root as possible. Watering the lawn beforehand can help loosen the soil and make removing the taproot easier.
The earlier you tackle creeping indigo, the easier it is to prevent a small problem from becoming a widespread infestation.
2. Dont' Let It Go To Seed
One of the most important steps is preventing Creeping Indigo from producing and spreading seed.
Keep an eye out for flowers and seed pods, particularly during the warmer months. If the weed is already producing seed, consider using a catcher when mowing and dispose of the clippings rather than spreading them across the lawn.
Regular mowing can help keep the weed under control, but remember that mowing along won't eradicate established plants.
3. Consider a Selective Herbicide
For larger or well established infestations, a suitable selective lawn herbicide may be the most practical option.
There are herbicides registered for controlling Creeping Indigo, including products that contain Dicamba such as Double Time Herbicide. (MUST NOT BE USED ON BUFFALO GRASSES)
However, the right product depends on your type of turf. Some herbicides that control Creeping Indigo can also damage certain lawn varieties.
Always check the product label to make sure it is suitable for your particular grass and follow the application instructions carefully. If you're unsure, speak with us at Rosemount Turf before treating the area.
4. Be Prepared to Treat It More Than Once
Creeping Indigo can be persistent because of its strong root system. Even when the foliage has been controlled, the plant may recover.
For established infestations, follow up treatments and removal of new plants may be necessary. Regularly inspect your lawn so you can deal with any regrowth or new seedlings before they become established.
5. Keep Your Lawn Thick and Healthy
A healthy, dense lawn is one of your best defences agains weeds.
Creeping Indigo is more likely to establish where turf is thin or bare, so maintaining good lawn health can reduce the opportunities for it to take hold.
Depending on your turf variety, this may include:
A strong lawn gives weeds much less room to compete.
Don't Let Creeping Indigo Take Over
Creeping Indigo can be difficult to control once it becomes established, but early intervention and consistent lawn care can make a big difference.
If you're unsure whether the weed in your lawn is Creeping Indigo, or you're not sure which treatment is safe for your turf, contact our Office Staff at Rosemount Turf to get professional advice before spraying. Identifying both the weed and your lawn variety is the first step towards choosing the right control method.
With the right treatment and ongoing lawn care, you can get Creeping Indigo under control and get your lawn back to being thick, healthy and weed free.
