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Gardening in Oz

Crab Grass

11 years ago

G'day guys. I'm new to lawn care but very enthusiastic about it. Lived many years on a farm with a small water tank and finally bought my own property on scheme which is a massive luxury and all I ask for is a patch of nice lawn!

The area is about 8m x 15m and what can tell has been lawn many years ago. I've watered it, fed it, top soiled it and put Gypsum in with the clay I've had to break up.

Not knowing much about lawns I sent photos to a friend who said I possibly have both Kikuyu and Couch grass. I've noticed neither actually mix together. 80% is Kikuyu and a small percentage is Couch (my favourite). But of course for all I know she could be wrong and I could be watering weeds!

I noticed an inconsistency in some blades then a stalk popped up. Some research tells me it's most likely Crab Grass and the best advice is to remove but it's hard to tell what's grab grass and what's Kikuyu or is the whole thing Crab Grass!

I have just applied a Yates Weed & Feed. I understand this possibly won't kill it but I had already applied it before realising I possibly have Crab Grass.

I'm located in the Wheatbelt, Western Australia and the lawn gets 100% full sun and extremely hot and dry conditions.

I'd love some advice on what to do and possibly if I post some photos and find out if I've wasted my time?

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Comments (6)

Fern_Freak
11 years ago
Kikuyu and couch will have 'runners' where crab grass will form as one plant. Get onto it before it seeds if u can as it can became quite a problem. Manuel remove is best if u dont have heaps otherwise spot spray with round up.

Tim
Kelsarni
Original Author
11 years ago
That's my question Bill.

How can I spot spray or pull out when I cannot tell what's grass and what's not?
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Kelsarni
Original Author
11 years ago
That's my question Bill.

How can I spot spray or pull out when I cannot tell what's grass and what's not?
Fern_Freak
11 years ago
See how crab grass comes back to one main plant? Kik and couch have runners. Kik has a greener shiner leaf than crab grass. Couch has a lot finer leaf than couch. Google images of all 3 grasses so u get and idea of what to look for leaf wise as well. Once u spot each type it'll ( excuse the language) stick out like dogs nutsÃ°ÂÂÂ kikuyu will be the fastest and greenest. Look for seed branches sprouting up. Track them back to the mother plant and remove by hand. Including roots. It will be easier to remove if you've had some rain or watered in the last day or 2.

Hope this helps
Tim
Fern_Freak
11 years ago
If u can post a couple of pics I can ID the grass for sure. Some people call crows feet grass ,crab grass.
Fern_Freak
11 years ago
This is what some ppl call crab grass or crows feet. Not sure what u have without a pic.

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