How to Get Rid of Dallisgrass in Your Northeast Ohio Lawn

You work hard to keep your lawn looking clean, green, and healthy. But weeds like dallisgrass don’t make it easy.

This pesky weed blends into your turf at first, but quickly reveals itself as a tall, clumpy invader that ruins curb appeal and crowds out your desirable grass. And once it appears in your lawn, it won’t go away on its own.

So how do you get rid of dallisgrass and keep it from coming back?

In this blog, we’ll show you how to:

• Identify dallisgrass in your Northeast Ohio lawn
• Understand why it’s so difficult to control
• Use the right methods to treat and prevent it
• Take steps to build a thicker, more weed-resistant lawn

What Is Dallisgrass?

Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) is a perennial grassy weed that thrives in the sunny, compacted areas of Ohio lawns. Unlike annual weeds like crabgrass, dallisgrass doesn’t die off each year. It comes back from the same roots — growing thicker and more aggressive every season if not treated properly.

While it may resemble your lawn grass at first glance, dallisgrass grows in coarse, clumpy patches that expand outward through underground stems. Over time, these patches crowd out healthy turf and make your lawn appear patchy and uneven.

How to Identify Dallisgrass in Your Lawn

To effectively treat and remove dallisgrass, you first need to spot it correctly. Here’s what to look for:

1. Tall, Upright Growth Habit

Dallisgrass grows taller than your regular grass and often sticks out in uneven patches. Its vertical posture makes it easy to spot once your lawn is mowed.

2. Clumping Pattern

It spreads from thick, circular clumps — often more noticeable than finer-bladed grassy weeds like crabgrass.

3. Seed Heads with Black Spots

In late spring and summer, dallisgrass develops large seed heads with short branches extending from the main stem. These branches feature distinct black specks, which help distinguish it from other grassy weeds.

4. Lighter Green Color

While your cool-season turfgrass (like bluegrass or fescue) is typically rich green or bluish-green, dallisgrass tends to be a pale or yellow-green color.

Why Is Dallisgrass So Hard to Get Rid Of?

Because dallisgrass is a perennial weed, it grows from the same root system each year. This makes it far more difficult to kill than annual weeds that die off with frost.

To make matters worse:

• Pre-emergent weed control doesn’t work on dallisgrass.
• It can spread underground, which makes hand-pulling ineffective.
• Most broadleaf weed treatments don’t affect grassy weeds like dallisgrass.

That’s why controlling this weed requires specialized post-emergent herbicides and a proactive lawn care strategy.

How to Remove Dallisgrass

At Turf Pride we recommend a combination of targeted treatment and proper lawn care practices to successfully get rid of dallisgrass in Northeast Ohio.

Use a Selective Herbicide

Because pre-emergent weed control won't stop dallisgrass, the best treatment option is a selective post-emergent herbicide designed to target grassy weeds without harming your lawn.

• These products are best applied when dallisgrass is actively growing (late spring through summer).
• Multiple applications may be needed to fully eliminate established patches.
• For widespread infestations, it’s best to have a lawn care professional apply these treatments to ensure correct timing and coverage.

How to Prevent Dallisgrass from Coming Back

Once you’ve tackled dallisgrass with herbicides, the next step is preventing it from re-establishing. Here’s how to make your lawn less inviting for this persistent weed:

1. Mow at the Right Height

Avoid mowing your lawn too short.

Keep turf between 3 to 4 inches tall, which helps shade weed seeds and promote strong root systems.

2. Water Deeply and Infrequently

Dallisgrass thrives in thin, stressed lawns.

Water your lawn 1 to 1.5 inches per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

Water early in the morning to reduce disease risk and maximize root uptake.

3. Aerate and Overseed in Fall

Compacted, bare soils are easy targets for dallisgrass.

Fall core aeration and overseeding improve lawn density and health.

A thick lawn naturally chokes out weeds and improves your turf’s ability to bounce back each spring.

FAQs About Dallisgrass in Northeast Ohio

1. Is dallisgrass the same as crabgrass?

No. While both are grassy weeds, dallisgrass is a perennial and returns each year from roots. Crabgrass is an annual that dies off each winter and regrows from seed in spring.

2. Will pulling dallisgrass by hand work?

Only if the patch is very small and shallow. Dallisgrass spreads through underground stems, so hand-pulling is usually ineffective and can leave behind root fragments that regrow.

3. What time of year is best for treating dallisgrass?

The best time to treat dallisgrass is late spring through summer, when the weed is actively growing. This allows selective herbicides to be most effective.

4. Can I prevent dallisgrass with pre-emergent weed control?

No. Dallisgrass cannot be controlled with pre-emergents. Post-emergent herbicides and thick lawn care practices are your best defenses.

5. Will regular mowing help reduce dallisgrass?

Not directly. While mowing won't kill dallisgrass, maintaining a proper mowing height will support a healthier lawn that’s more resistant to weed invasion.

Don’t Let Dallisgrass Take Over Your Lawn

Dallisgrass is a tough opponent — but you don’t have to fight it alone.

At Turf Pride, we specialize in lawn weed control in Northeast Ohio, including towns like Mentor, Painesville, Willoughby, and more. Our team knows how to identify persistent weeds like dallisgrass and build a custom lawn care plan to eliminate them and strengthen your grass long-term.

If you’re tired of fighting clumpy weeds that ruin your lawn’s look, let Turf Pride help you get your weekends back.

Request a free quote today and see how easy it can be to enjoy a lush, weed-free lawn all season long.

Image Sources: Dallisgrass 1, Dallisgrass 2, Dallisgrass 3