How to Get Rid of Wild Turnip in Your Lawn

Wild Turnip is an aggressive annual broadleaf weed that’s become increasingly problematic in Australian lawns, particularly in Spring and early Summer.

Wild Turnip is easily recognised by its thick, hollow stems, lobed blue-green leaves that resemble a turnip or mustard green and bright yellow four-petalled flowers that cluster at the top of the plant. It often grows to between 30cm and 1m tall, and can quickly dominate open spaces if left unmanaged.

Wild Turnip is frequently found in Buffalo, Couch, Bermuda, Kikuyu and Zoysia lawns that have bare patches, poor mowing habits, or seasonal thinning.

This weed thrives in disturbed soils, neglected turf areas and drought-affected lawns. It’s especially common in southern and central Australia, including parts of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.

It germinates rapidly in late Autumn and Winter, flowers in Spring and sets seed by early Summer. The seeds can spread via wind, water, disruption from mowing or even disturbance from human or animal interaction, which can relocate the seeds for germination far from the original plant. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds, many of which can remain viable in the soil for years.

Manual Removal

Manual removal of Wild Turnip is possible if caught early. It’s important to dig out the plant from the base, ensuring the root is removed completely as the weed can regrow from root fragments. This method works best when soil is moist.

Removal when the plant is seeding can cause the seeds to distribute, which is a factor to consider when looking to remove any invasive weed species.

Regular mowing can also help suppress flowering and seed production, although care must be taken to avoid spreading seeds with the mower.

Using Herbicides

Wild Turnip can be suppressed using a herbicide that uses MCPA or Dicamba as the active ingredient, making Contra M Duo the best solution. It’s important to note that Dicamba is not safe for use on Buffalo or Queensland Blue Couch Lawns, though.

On all other grass types, Contra M Duo can be blanket sprayed to effectively knock down invasive weed species like Wild Turnip. It’s encouraged to apply herbicides with a surfactant like Wetter 600 to promote adhesion to the leaf and improve the first round knock down, however Wild Turnip may need a follow up application after the first dose to ensure the plant is fully destroyed.

When using chemical treatments, always follow manufacturer instructions when it comes to necessary protective equipment and safe re-entry times for humans and animals. Apply on a dry day with minimal wind to prevent drift onto desirable grasses.

Natural Remedies

Natural methods such as using vinegar or boiling water can offer short-term control in paved or hard surface areas, but these treatments are non-selective and may damage surrounding turf.

To prevent Wild Turnip from returning, applying a high-quality pre-emergent herbicide is a proactive solution. Pre-emergents work by creating a barrier in the soil that inhibits seed germination, effectively stopping weeds before they establish.

 A good pre-emergent herbicide, such as those containing Prodiamine (such as Spartan in liquid form, or Onset GR in granular form) or Oxadiazon (like Echelon Duo or Oxafert), offers up to six months of protection against a broad range of invasive weeds.

This long-term approach not only reduces the need for repeated manual or chemical interventions but also contributes to a healthier, more resilient lawn with less pressure from invasive weeds.

Whether you’re looking for a quality pre-emergent to minimise the risk of Wild Turnip invading your much-loved lawn, or you need a post-emergent herbicide to control a Wild Turnip outbreak, you’ll find all the supplements and chemicals you need to keep your grass in top shape at the myhomeTURF Online Shop; home to hundreds of market-leading products that ship Australia-wide.