I've got a serious problem with couch grass invading my borders, and I'm considering sowing some yellow rattle since it can parasitize grasses. But I'm wondering, does it actually affect couch grass? Also, I'm concerned about whether my lawn will suffer if the seeds spread there accidentally. Is yellow rattle easy to mow or remove if it pops up where I don't want it? Is this a smart move or a bad idea?
3 Answers
Yellow rattle is an annual, so regular mowing will help keep it in check. It won't do massive damage to couch grass, even though it can semi-parasitize ordinary grasses. Just remember, it's only semi-parasitic, so don’t stress too much about it harming the couch.
To get yellow rattle to work, you'll need to sow it in areas with bare soil. Just make sure to mow it down heavily before planting. It should do okay as long as you're targeting those bare spots!
Honestly, I don't think yellow rattle will do much against couch grass. We've always called it Squitch, and the best method I've found is just to dig it out regularly. After 5 years of battling it in my garden, I've managed to keep it at a more manageable level, but I'm still out there with my hand fork almost every week!
Yeah, it seems couch grass might not even give yellow rattle enough root to latch onto. Plus, digging it out this time of year is tough with all the delicate plants around!