Utah weeds · Winter annual grass · peak April – June
How to get rid of Cheatgrass in Utah
How to recognize Cheatgrass (downy brome)
- Soft, fuzzy blades that turn green early in spring
- Drooping seed heads that turn purple and then tan by early summer
- Dense stands on foothill lots, slopes and vacant ground
- Sharp seeds that catch in socks and pet fur
Why it thrives in Utah
Cheatgrass starts growing in fall and again very early in spring, so it beats most other plants to water. By early summer it is dry, fine fuel that carries fire quickly, which makes it a real concern on foothill and edge-of-town lots in Utah.
How to remove it by hand
- Pull in spring while the plant is still green and the seed heads are soft, usually April to May.
- Grasp at the base and pull the whole plant, roots included. Loosen hard soil first.
- Bag everything. Seeds on pulled plants can still drop.
- Do not compost it.
- Pull fall seedlings in bare spots too, since this plant germinates in autumn.
When to pull it
Spring, before the seed heads dry and harden. Early action also keeps the dry fuel load down before fire season.
How to keep it from coming back
- Keep the zone right around your home clear of dry grass and dead plants.
- Mulch bare areas and plant them so cheatgrass has less room to start.
- Remove it from the edges of beds and along fences every spring.
Want the full story? Read our in-depth guide: Cheatgrass and Fire Safety on Utah Foothill Lots.
Cheatgrass FAQs
When should I pull cheatgrass?
In spring, while it is green and before the seed heads dry and harden. After seed has formed, it can still be pulled, but bag it carefully.
Is cheatgrass a fire risk?
Yes. When it dries out in early summer it burns fast, so clearing it from around the house is a common part of wildfire preparation in the foothills.
Why does it hurt my dog?
The seeds have sharp, barbed ends that can work into fur, ears and paws. Removing the plants from the yard cuts that risk.
Skip the pulling
A weeder from Utah Weed Pullers can handle cheatgrass for you: one visit a week, pulled by hand with no sprays, from $322 a month. We serve all of Utah County and Salt Lake County, including Lehi, Provo, Orem, Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, American Fork, Salt Lake City. See every city.