skip to main content

Ask The Yard Doctor

How to identify what my lawn consists of

engineeredgarden

18 years ago

Dr. Rogers,

I have questions about identifying the various types of growth that my yard consists of.

My father bought the place in 1964, and has never done anything to the "grass", other than mow it. If I were guessing what type of grass was initially sewn - i'd say probably bermuda. I would estimate that at least 20 different types of weeds are present, but don't know how to identify each. I see posts on here, where people are able to specifically identify what they are dealing with, but I cannot. I would like to make improvements, but it would not be cost effective for me to remove everything and start over, because of the size of the yard. What I would like to do, is find something that would eliminate the "bad" growth, and leave the "good" growth intact. I don't have any photos, but will take some this weekend. Perhaps they will help some.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

yarddoctor
18 years ago
Dear Engineered Garden

Thank you very much for your inquiry. It sounds as though you should strive for a bermudagrass lawn. If this is the case, I would suggest a application of either Bayer Advanced All-in One Lawn Weed Control or Ortho Weed B Gon Max plus crabgrass control on your lawn now, followed by an application of a ammonium nitrate based fertilizer and then mowing properly at a height of 2.5 inches every 5 days. I think you will be impressed with the results. Send me before and after pictures.

Again, thanks for the question and let me know if you have more.

Respectfully

Trey Rogers, The Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, YardDoctor.com
engineeredgarden
Original Author
18 years ago
Dr. Rogers, here are some pictures of what I have. Can you please identify if this first picture is bermuda or not? Thanks

http://i29.tinypic.com/264hyxl.jpg
http://i30.tinypic.com/34smmjc.jpg
http://i26.tinypic.com/25g7wbp.jpg
http://i26.tinypic.com/25iy82w.jpg
http://i30.tinypic.com/s30z1c.jpg
Related Discussions
Can someone identify this weed in my lawn?
Q
Comments (2)
Sorry, can't help with a positive ID on your weed. It's a broadleaf. Trimec, Bayer advanced or weed-be-gone broadleaf week killer will take it out. Follow the directions carefully, spot treat your weeds. Repeat in ten days. Plain 2-4-D is great for Dandelions but not all broads. Bill Hill
...See More
Help identify what's in my lawn (pictures included)
Q
Comments (12)
I completed the 2x RU of the lawn, ordered the seeds and once they arrive I'll be ready to go. One problem, our home builder needs to do some work in our house that will require a cement truck to drive over the backyard. It will be a couple of weeks before they start, but I won't afford to wait. I plan on seeding everything and then hope for minumal damage. They said they'll lay sod down to fix any damage that they do. That seems like my only option, unless I wait for another year.
...See More
Need help identifying grass type on my lawn
Q
Comments (5)
The wide blade one is either an old style fescue, like Kentucky 31, or a weed grass. Hard to tell from the one pic. Its a clumping type grass. When I see one in my yard, I just grub it out and either re-seed or stick in a bit of sod to replace it. That grass seems to want to grow along hot sidewalks more than my improved grasses, so, sometimes there I will just dig out a length of it and lay sod in its place along the concrete.
...See More
Please help identify! This is invading my lawn and landscape areas.
Q
Comments (14)
OK! Right plant, wrong species! That's why I asked where you were located. Maianthemum dilatatum is exclusive to the west coast. Wasn't aware there was an eastern version :-) And this is a wildflower - not necessarily a garden escapee. The tarp could help but it will also smother the grass. And it is not that effective for plants that spread rhizomatously (via underground stems). The rhizomes just keep growing to where the tarp doesn't cover and then pop up. Depending on how shady the area is, you might just want to encourage it and skip the lawn. Lawn grasses are difficult to encourage to lush growth in very shady locations and a shade loving groundcover - like this - is often recommended as a suitable replacement. Otherwise, containment would involve some sort of root barrier/edging at the edge of the lawn and some targeting herbicide applications. Any broadleaf weed killer for lawns should work well - the stuff can't tell between a 'weed' or any other type of broadleaved plant. Just spray individual leaves directly and be sure none gets on anything more valuable.
...See More
Related Professionals
Tulsa Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Aiken Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clarksburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Akron Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fresno Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Niles Landscape Contractors · Stockton Landscape Contractors · Fayetteville Cabinets & Cabinetry · Houma Cabinets & Cabinetry · Philadelphia Cabinets & Cabinetry · Traverse City Cabinets & Cabinetry · Harrisburg Cabinets & Cabinetry · Scranton Cabinets & Cabinetry · Williamsport Cabinets & Cabinetry · Sacramento Cabinets & Cabinetry
yarddoctor
18 years ago
Dear Engineered Garden,

I cannot see these pictures, as there is no link.

Trey Rogers, The Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, YardDoctor.com
engineeredgarden
Original Author
18 years ago
Ok, i'll do it this way...sorry

I think this may be bermuda

here are some of the weeds I have

I would love to know what the weed below is

You get the general idea. Here's a final photo of part of the yard.Thanks for all your help.
yarddoctor
18 years ago
Dear EG,

Thank you very much for your inquiry. In that first picture, I think I see more than one type of grass. I believe I see a bermudagrass seedhead, but I also see leaves that are distinctive to Kentucky bluegrass and St. Augustinegrass. Pictures are sometimes confusing. From the picture, the grass with the long runner appears to be bermudagrass, as this is very characteristic of its growth habit. One thing to remember about bermudagrass, it has several varieities which vary greatly in leaf width.

Pull the leaf away from the stem (not off), and where they were connected you should see a fringe of hairs. That is a identification key for bermudagrass. My students love that one!

For the broadleaf weed control, use what I recommended, then fertilize.

Again, thanks for the question and let me know if you have more.

Respectfully

Trey Rogers, The Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, YardDoctor.com
engineeredgarden
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, Dr. Rogers - you have been quite helpful!
christinamckaughan_yahoo_com
17 years ago
I know I have lots for bermuda grass in my yard. But we are tired of using the expensive weed control products. As a small child I remember my mother using amonia nitrate in 80 degree plus weather for about 5 to 7 days and it would kill everything but the bermuda. Then with a good rain should re-apply amonia nitrate and water daily to bring the bermuda out in a hurry and have a beautiful carpet like yard. What do you think of this method?

Related Stories

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

EARTH DAY The Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

GARDENING GUIDES How to Prep Your Ground for a Healthy New Lawn

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Seed or sod that falls on weedy, lumpy soil is a wasted effort. Follow these steps to ensure that your new lawn will thrive

MOST POPULAR Meet a Lawn Alternative That Works Wonders

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Carex can replace turfgrass in any spot, is low maintenance and adjusts easily. Add its good looks and you’ve got a ground cover winner

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden

By June Scott Design

New project for a new year: Lose the turfgrass for energy savings, wildlife friendliness and lower maintenance

LANDSCAPE DESIGN California Says Goodbye to the Sprawling Ornamental Lawn

By Annie Thornton

New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants

SAVING WATER Houzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn?

By Annie Thornton

Many facing a drought are swapping turf for less thirsty plantings. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear about it

GARDENING GUIDES How to Fix Bare and Yellow Lawn Spots

By Christine Tusher

Restore your turf’s good looks by reseeding unsightly patches

Sponsored

More Discussions

What is doing this to my grass!?

0

coleus unhappy brown spot

0