06/17/2026
‼️Notice ‼️ We are seeing that invasive stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) is flowering *now* in some areas of Atlanta. This is very early compared to what we’ve observed in recent years where flowering occurred in late August/September. This could be related to the spring drought.
We assume that seed from this annual grass will not be far behind. While we usually begin active management in June anyways, we are now acting with a sense of urgency to target stiltgrass in areas where it is a priority — before seeds are viable.
An effective strategy to manage stiltgrass is to start at the highest point of the population and kill it before it goes to seed. Repeat in subsequent years. But that’s easier said than done because it’s so prolific and travels with our waterways. Once someone said, “It’s better to get all of a small amount than most of a large amount.” Mowing it can reduce the amount of seed but even the shortest stalks can still reproduce.
For such a delicate grass, it presents many challenges! Very soon we will share early results of experiments using a cool-season native seed mix that was applied directly after stiltgrass removal. Exciting stuff! But in the meantime, pick your battles thoughtfully, and go get after it! Now is the time.
