skip to main content

Please help me determine what weed/grass is this?

15 years ago

We have a problem area near our mailbox. We have a grass growing there and I don't think it is crab grass, but I am not sure what else it might be. It grows much faster than the regular KGB grass we have. It is probably also exacerbated by the fact that we have a water leak in that area that the city hasn't fixed yet (and we are unsure when they will). Here are some pictures - please help me determine what this is and how we can eradicate it - organically or chemically. Ideally we would not have to reseed from scratch, but I am sure the neighbors are getting sick of it, so if we could do something before next spring, that would be ideal. Pictures (you can see the water trailing along the curb):

{{gwi:109712}}

{{gwi:109713}}

Any help is appreciated!!

Christine

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

bpgreen
15 years ago
Does anybody see pictures? I see two red boxes.
christine
Original Author
15 years ago
Oops! Let me try again from a different photo storage place... It works for me, but I probably have them in my cache or something...

{{gwi:109714}}

{{gwi:109715}}
Related Discussions
Drought helping me kill weeds and Bermuda grass
Q
Comments (18)
It seems that there are many recommendations for eradication. The one that worked for me, and allows me to plant immediately - dig it up, filter the stolens out, and plant. Bermuda can grow deep, survive drought and neglect. I overhauled a very large front yard with a simple tool - a square shovel (called an Irish shovel, don't know why)after enough rain to soften the soil. My lot is impenetrable ancient marine terrace of silt, clay and sand. It's fairly easy to sift the stolens from the dirt via a wire mesh on a frame that fits a wheel barrow, or you can simply throw out the grass layer. Yes, you can do solarization, you can do round-up, you can do rototilling for however long it takes... but imho the prep is everything. Fighting resprouting grass is miserable, neverending work. Spend the time up front sifting the bermuda grass out and spend zero weeding time fighting it later. My neighbor did not bother to remove the bermuda, and it comes back every year, even with mulch. Many of the previous posts are spot on - rototilling will not eliminate bermuda. The comment of 'tilling destroys the soil structure' is highly subjective to the type of soil. If I had not completely turned and amended my garden then nothing would grow. It would be helpful if you posted your soil type or did a 'jar test' so that others can make recommendations. Hope this helps ... diana
...See More
Please help identify this grass/weed
Q
Comments (4)
Also, for what it's worth, I wouldn't say your Bermuda is struggling, it's probably just now waking up. I believe I can see some baby Bermuda sprigs starting to green up in this photo. I'm in zone 8 as well and though the common Bermuda in my backyard is beginning to grow quite well, the Tifway in my front yard has been off to a slower start. It's been this way for the two season's that I've lived in this house. Do you happen to know what kind of Bermuda you have?
...See More
Please help determine what this grass is and how I can get rid of it
Q
Comments (6)
crabgrass starts out as small clumps - just like shown on last photo. It quickly gets larger and eventually puts out many many seeds. this would be my guess in this case. It is easily pulled (when young) with very thin roots (another good indicator). Recommend pulling before it puts down more seed. Otherwise a weed killer with Quinclorac will hurt/kill it (not sure about Bermuda safe... or not?) Quackgrass on the otherhand spreads by underground roots/rhizomes... can form some dense areas with thick bright green blades (reminds me of st aug. grass)
...See More
Please help Identify this grass-like weed
Q
Comments (1)
Where in the world are you? What is the soil like? Sand, clay, wet dry, compacted, loose and workable? Do these have small nut like bases? kimmq is kimmsr
...See More
philes21
15 years ago
One mo' time, please.....
christine
Original Author
15 years ago
I am not usually technologically challenged...sorry about all this... I have included a link to the album this time, which my husband checked on a different computer in the house so it should work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Album of my terrible grass
reelfanatic
15 years ago
If you are referring to the exponentially taller blades of grass in comparison to the mown turf to the left of the mailbox, it's goosegrass. There are many brands of selective herbicides on the market that will eradicate goosegrass. I don't believe there is an "organic" solution, and re-seeding is certainly not neccessary. Just find your product, and spray!
gardenfanatic2003
15 years ago
That's not goosegrass, it's nutsedge. Nutsedge is a royal PITA! It makes sense that it's growing where it's getting plenty of moisture, because it does like moist areas. Although it will survive and thrive in areas that are not necessarily moist, and is an excellent reproducer, so get rid of it now!

It's very easy to pull up - HOWEVER, it has little root tubers which stay in the soil even though roots come up when you pull it. Then next year, you'll have a dozen to replace each one you pulled. I learned this the hard way.

The only herbicide that will kill nutsedge is Sedgehammer. You probably won't see it at Lowe's or someplace like that, but nurseries and garden centers usually carry it.

Deanna

Here is a link that might be useful: Nutsedge
eriocaulon
15 years ago
Agree with gardenfanatic...most definitely nutsedge. BTW, you can also get Sedgehammer on ebay

Here is a link that might be useful: ebay
christine
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Reel & Garden. It really looks like the Yellow Nutsedge. I tried calling some nurseries earlier, but I was just a little too late for a Sunday. I'll try tomorrow, I want to be RID of this. It did start out as a little under the mailbox and now it has spread too much.

Will nurseries sell the sticky part of the Sedgehammer that you have to mix with the powder?

Thanks for the quick help, and sorry for all the technical trouble! What is a good photo hosting site to use to post here? I was having trouble with shutterfly last night so I used snapfish and then kodak (although kodak is notorious for not posting pics properly). Just curious if anyone has an idea.
gardenfanatic2003
15 years ago
Yes, the nursery will have that too. Just ask for some spreader sticker.

FYI, the Sedgehammer powder will be in a little plastic bag inside its box. Put the plastic bag in your sprayer and shake it because it will dissolve in water. Make sure you read all the directions.

I use Photobucket, and have never had a problem posting pics on GardenWeb.

Deanna

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden

By Abundant City

Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Weed-Smothering Ground Covers

Let these landscape plants do the dirty work of choking out weeds while you sit back and enjoy the view

GARDENING GUIDES Weed War: When and How to Use Chemical Herbicides

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Before you spray, arm yourself with knowledge about which weed killers — natural or synthetic — are right for your yard

GARDENING GUIDES Let's Weed Out 4 Native Plant Myths

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Plant wisely for a garden that supports pollinators and requires less work

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Ways to Naturally Win the Weed War

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Show irksome weeds no mercy with these tricks for combating them sans chemicals

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: A Country Home Built on Dreams and Determination

By Whitney Lyons

Meaningful antiques mix with new pieces in a family’s just-built house on a former strawberry farm in Oregon

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Bugle Weed, a Quick Ground Cover

It’s highly adaptable, suppresses weeds, reduces erosion and provide weeks of bright flowers. Just watch for invasiveness

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Things to Know About Weeding and Mulching Your Native Garden

By Oakley Gardens

What’s the best time to pull weeds? How thick should the mulch be? Here’s the scoop for a healthy landscape

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Sowed a month ago, but little to no germination

5

Giardia Prevention Help

2

ultrasonic rat devices

0

Help for lawn in Zone 3! This is its second spring.

1

Lawn care Zone 3

2