I don't know the exact weed, but most weeds will die if you spray them with a broadleef weed killer. Make sure you read the directions carefully because most of them shouldn't be applied if the highs are above a certain temperature. If it's too hot, they can kill the grass as well as the weeds.

Growing up tall, and looking like corn........sounds to me like Yellow Nutsedge. Do a google search, and let us know, if that's the plant.

And I always wondered why the press, when I was growing up, made such a big deal out of that 'hotline' phone that the president had on his desk. Seems like he'd always get good news, like 'hey, we have a chance here, we can make this work....'

But what if that phone rings, and the voice says 'the fact is, Mr. President, we're screwed...'???

I hope you do not have Yellow Nutsedge. Please advise.

If your going to use a herbiced I would spot spray only. (read the label carefully)

Proper management practices that encourage a dense, thriving turf are the best method of weed control. Healthy turf shades the soil so sunlight can't reach weed seeds ready to germinate. A thick turf also minimizes the physical space available for weeds to become established. There are several management practices that will promote a healthy, dense grass. If turf is over-or under-watered, over-or under-fertilized, or mowed too low or too infrequently, the turf is weakened and cannot compete with weeds. Damaged areas resulting from using unsharpened mowers increase time needed for turf recovery, allowing for weed invasion. It is very important to understand that weeds don't create a void, they fill a void.

Mulch Mow High 4+" with a sharp, balanced blade
Water deeply and infrequently with 3/4-1" water. (no more than once a week in summer)

What variety of grass do you have?
When was the last time you fertilized?

I am trying to post a couple of pictures --- directly from my computer, but the way I read the directions here, this forum doesn't take direct-from-computer/camera uploads, and I don't have the picture posted anywhere else on the web.

So -- quick answer to your question: it doesn't appear to be yellow nutsedge. I've looked at some websites trying to find what it is, but haven't had any luck (hence, my trying to post my own picture).

We only moved into this house last fall, and the first priority was to put grass in the backyard - which had never had a lawn before; only a 2 ft cover of fallen leaves from the dense woods. (We thinned the woods out and planted grass - after raking leaves FOR-EVER!). We hadn't touched anything in the front --- lawn or gardens - until this year, and I started with the gardens.

Short answer - have never fertilized the front lawn. Don't know what kind of grass it is. My guess is that it's still the builder's lawn (from 16 years ago) and is probably some tall turf fescue.

johnson grass maybe? that looks like corn until it gets a couple feet high, then the sharp blades start to fan out.

missmary,

Does your weed look like this? I don't know what it is, but as soon as I read about the fast growth rate and it looking like corn, I immediately thought of this weed. I pulled it yesterday and took the pic just now, so it might be a little wilted. Whenever I tried pulling it before, it would just snap off and not get the roots. Luckily with the dry spell, the roots came with it this time. I've weedhounded them before, but they keep coming back!

{{gwi:102769}}

im like davidandkaise if it grows that fast and looks like corn, best bet johnson grass. it a quick grower. had a small problem with that not too long ago. best bet, spot spray with roundup but dont go overboard. ru is designed to absorb thru the leaves and kill down to the root (cotton farmers son here and was stuck on a homemade spray rig all summer spraying ru, dads cheap summer labor and now simi expert lol) spray it on simi light, let it absorb into the leaves for about a week or more, they'll dry up and die. if they reappear, just reapply and problem solved. j-grass is evil but tameable. and the ru is fairly cheap at box stores like lowes or hd or even walmart. good luck.