How Can I Control Spotted Spurge?

Do you want to try controlling spotted spurge with cultural control methods?

Do you want to control spotted spurge with weeding or cultivating?

Do you want to control spotted spurge with solarization?

Do you want to control spotted spurge with mulches?

Do you want to try controlling spotted spurge with chemical control methods?

Do you want to prevent spotted spurge from emerging?

Constantly monitor infested areas, so you can mechanically till or hand pull new plants before spotted spurge produce seed. Take care as you weed, since plants that you hand pull often break at the stem, leaving the root and several buds or a single stem from which regrowth is possible. Wear gloves when you hand pull, since the sap can be a skin irritant. Mowing is an ineffective method of control since most species grow close to the ground.

Before planting an area with turf or ornamentals, you might want to follow the management method known as soil solarization. Covering the soil with sheets of clear plastic for 4 to 6 weeks during the summer can effectively reduce the number of seeds in areas where summer daytime temperatures are very hot. In areas where summer temperatures are lower than 90°F, soil solarization can partially control this weed.

Probably the most common strategy for controlling weeds in ornamental plantings is to use organic or synthetic mulches, which prevent light from reaching weed seeds and seedlings, starving them before they can start making food through photosynthesis. Bark, compost, or straw laid at least 2 inches thick can effectively control many weed seeds including many spurge species. A large, coarse bark will require a 3- to 4-inch layer to be effective.

One of the best control measures for spotted spurge in turf is to maintain a competitive stand of grass. When open areas develop in turf due to stress, disease, lack of fertility, insects, or abuse, light penetrates to the soil surface, allowing spotted spurge to germinate. Once spotted spurge establishes itself, altering cultural practices such as fertilization or irrigation won't control it. However, raising the mowing height to 2 inches or more in tall fescue or perennial ryegrass can reduce initial invasions.

Preemergent herbicides can help prevent spotted spurge outbreaks if you apply them in late winter before weed seeds germinate. Time the application, so it occurs before the soil temperature exceeds 55° to 60°F at a depth of 1 inch. Preemergent herbicides for turf and ornamentals include benefin, pendimethalin, isoxaben, oryzalin, trifluralin, and dithiopyr. Preemergent chemicals are rarely used in home vegetable gardens because chemical residues last for months after application, and product labels routinely regulate against such use.

Postemergent herbicides available to home gardeners include 2,4-D/MCPP/dicamba combination products, triclopyr, and glyphosate (available for both commercial and home landscape use). In general, 2,4-D and its combinations don't control the larger, more mature spotted spurge plants.

The primary method of managing spurges is prevention, since controlling these weeds is very difficult once plants have established themselves. Avoid bringing seeds into uninfested areas by using weed-free planting seed and uncontaminated planting stock. Clean work clothing and machinery such as lawnmowers to remove any seeds that might be present, and remove spurge plants as soon as you discover them.