What Can You Do About Broom Sage in Your Yard?

Those amber waves of grain you see billowing in the wind might actually be broom sage, a type of grass with no nutritional value to livestock that was historically prized around the home for use in broom making. Though not an invasive species, broom sage can end up taking over a yard or pasture depending on factors such as soil pH and what types, if any, of other plants exist in the same vicinity as this brush grass.

Broom Sage is a tall perennial with a wheat-like appearance commonly found in pastures. It features green stalks that turn a reddish-golden brown when mature. Stems can reach 3 to 4 feet in height and leaves are flat and slightly hairy. Flowers appear on the upper half of the stems and fruit is small, purplish or yellow seeds or grains. Its growth period is summertime; though also known as broomsedge, broom sage is a grass rather than a sedge plant. It is found throughout the eastern United States from Maine to Florida as well as further west in Illinois and Texas.

For those whose yards are actually a pasture, grazing of livestock is often the cause of broom sage takeover. While livestock enjoy grazing on young broom sage shoots, the grass becomes inedible to the animals once mature. This enables the grass to spread throughout a pasture as livestock will turn to other forage species for sustenance. This problem can be remedied by clipping pastures more frequently and regulating stocking rates as needed.

Though soil with a low pH or low fertility can contribute to the establishment of broom sage in the yard, the grass often takes over a space when soil levels are "near optimum." Because broom sage is an "opportunistic" rather than competitive plant, it does not do well in soil with a high pH and fertility level as other, more well-adapted forage species can spread easily. Utilize a soil test kit to discover what your soil's levels are and take measures to adjust as necessary to discourage the growth of broom sage.

Adding lime and fertilizer to a yard each year can contribute to the reduction of broom sage, though this is considered a slower method of broom sage control. The use of non-selective herbicides or tillage can work when broom sage is thick and little other forage or desired plants exist for reseeding and resprigging purposes. Note that if herbicides are used, these will also damage any nearby desired plants and forage. Continual use of fire during cooler months can reduce broom sage though burning in warm months has no effect as broom sage is a warm weather grass.