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What is this invasive grass taking over my lawn ?

11 years ago

I am hoping that someone can help me with my battle to save my lawn. Over the last couple of years I have been losing a battle with an invasive species of grass.
My usual weed preventative measures (pre and post emergent) have had little , if any, effect on it.
It has very thin grass blades that grow off of runners of which the roots seem to be unusually deep (see attached photo). It spreads quickly and grows very thick, smothering out my St. Augustine. Also, my location is Jacksonville Florida, which does get reasonably cold in the winter which causes this pesky grass to brown. But once spring is in full bloom it comes back with a vengeance, hardier than ever.
Can anyone tell me what it is and how to control or get rid of it without losing the rest of my lawn?
All comments appreciated, thanks!
~Rick

This post was edited by Rick_Adams on Sat, Feb 9, 13 at 12:04

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Comments (8)

apundt-tx
11 years ago
You have a bermuda invasion. Mow at highest setting. Find a weed killer that has atrazine in it.
texas_weed
11 years ago
It is Bermuda grass used on every golf course in your area.
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Waldvo: That is either Nimblewill or Bentgrass most times. Both are considered weeds in most lawns. Many varieties of bentgrass are used for both home lawns and golf course Fairways, tees and greens. It also often shows up as an invasive weed (especially in low or wet spots). Nimblewill is just a plain old school weedgrass (no redeeming value what-so-ever). There is another thread or two going on Nimblewill vs. bentgrass and you can use the site's search option to explore those threads. Michael: The first photo looks enough like zoysia for it to be possible, but the ID characteristics require up close and personal details you cannot see in a wide shot of the lawn. So... 2 choices: Compare it to the neighbors 'known' Zoysia. And/Or look for very tough wiry stolons (runners) in the patches of (zoysia?)undesired grass. Both grasses have stolons. Stolons allow the grass to spread by creeeping along the soil and sending roots down and shoots up simultaneously. Zoysia has wiry tough stolons. Bentgrass is almost entirely succulent and has no woody tissues at all. Either you'll find tough wiry runners (pull some out with difficulty) and diagnose Zoysia or you'll notice no wiry stolons and your bentgrass will pull up easily. Solution is similar. Round-up the undesired grass when actively growing (treat at least 3 feet past where you think the 'weed' has stopped) and then reseed. Ugh! I know, not fun. But both can be killed and removed in Late summer and the reseeding can take place almost immediately afterwards. I might spray (Zoysia especially) two times. Once Now (or very soon) and once right before seeding in 3-5 weeks(anything that looks even a little suspicious). Round-up (Glyphosphate) breaks down very quickly and will not adversely affect seed. But miss just a bit of the stuff and you'll be doing the renovation again (eventually). Another solution would be to live with it. Lots of folks do just that.
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One final photo. Thanks for your help.
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Rick_Adams
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for the positive ID. While I am usually reluctant to use it I do have atrazine. It used to be part of my spring ritual to apply it, but several years ago I stopped, not wanting to apply chemicals that I didn't absolutely need. Can you tell me if an application this time of year would help control or get rid of it? With the mild winter here this year the grasses are just starting to green up.
apundt-tx
11 years ago
The grass needs to be actively growing so it is probably a little early. The best way to kill bermuda is shade.
Could you put cardboard over it and let it sit for a couple of weeks and then check the status?
dchall_san_antonio
11 years ago
The St Aug should be predominant in appearance if you are mowing at your mower's highest setting and watering weekly in the summer. I have a patch that died from lack of water in 2011. The bermuda immediately took over in there, but I have nursed the St Aug back. I expect to see nothing but St Aug by the end of this season. Sure the bermuda will be there but the tall St Aug with the wide blades visually overpowers the thinner and weaker bermuda underneath.
texas_weed
11 years ago
Grow it tall. No way are you going to fully eradicate Bermuda in Florida as it is a perfect climate for Bermuda. As Mr Hall said mow at 4 inches and the Bermuda will stay thin and not noticeable. But if you get a dry spell, the SA will be gone and the Bermuda will thrive as it is very drought resistant.
lou_spicewood_tx
11 years ago
Hmm.

It looks like zoysia to me.
PRO
Serenity Lawn Service
11 years ago
Don't waste the Atrazine. Atrazine may damage certain cultivars of Bermuda during Spring, but it is a common part of Bermuda lawn programs in the southeast to control Annual Bluegrass during winter dormancy. What's more, the image looks more like a common Bermuda, which is less likely to be effected by Atrazine.

If it is a small area, and you won't to avoid having it increase in size, use a product like Fusilade II. Fusilade II is used around ornamental landscapes and Liriope beds to kill Bermuda selectively and quickly. It works better than Round up at killing Bermuda, but is likely to damage the St. Augustine as well. So there again, it really depends on how far it has spread. Also, if you go that route, wait until the Bermuda has fully transitioned and again expect what ever St. Augustine is sprayed to die initially, and then fill back in from the surrounding turf.

Here is a link that might be useful: Serenity Lawn Service

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