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Grass/weed identification and how to eradicate it

6 years ago

Hello, I am a homeowner in NW San Antonio, Tx. Home and lawn is roughly 3 years old, Tif419 Bermuda was laid by the builder, all homes in my area should have Bermuda, however my immediate neighbors do not take care of their yards at all. Last year I noticed a patch of this grass/weed and did not think much of it. This year I have noticed multiple patches of this grass all throughout my yard. Some as large as 6'x6', the invading grass seems to pop up where the Bermuda is not doing well or digging has occurred. I also have 3 dogs that like to run, no digging, which makes things a little more challenging.

I believe that this is centipede grass that is invading my Bermuda, the invading grass looks like Bermuda but has thicker blades, thicker/larger runners, and thicker roots. Can anyone confirm or deny this for me please? I have tried a liberal amount of 2,4 D and have not noticed any browning on the invading grass. I am getting ready to put down some 29 0 5 Fertilizer. Last resort is roundup/glycophosphate, but I would really rather not have large brown spots throughout my yard for the rest of summer. Any ideas or tips? I will get a soil analysis in the near future.

Below pic shows a new runner, I have seen invading grass runners as long 2-3 feet reaching into health Bermuda.

Below pic shows Bermuda on top of pic and invading grass at the bottom.

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Comments (3)

J D
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Also, the invading grass grows faster than the Bermuda.
girlnamedgalez8a
6 years ago
I cannot say if it is Centipede or not even though I have some Centipede. I can tell you that Centipede cannot tolerate a lot of fertilizer so feed the bermuda often and it might do in the Centipede.
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I think it's one of the dayflowers; if it is, you should be seeing a blue flower any time now. Most herbicides don't work on dayflowers, which leaves hand-pulling; in my experience (& I've been fighting dayflower for years), it's much easier to pull when the ground is moist, as the stem will just break off and leave the roots if the ground is dry. Here's the Wikipedia page on the dayflower family: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commelinaceae; if you can track down some close up pictures as good as the one you posted, maybe you can firm up the dayflower diagnosis.
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Yes it could, and so could wheat. I don't have any experience with handling wheat. If it's orchardgrass, it should be easy to take care; it grows faster than even KY-31, so in between mowings it should be easy to identify if it's mixed in anywhere else in your lawn. I've tried pulling it up. Sometimes they come right out when you pull. If you don't get it all, it will grow back soon --- it's hardy grazing stuff. If you can get it up while it's young, do it. Otherwise it can outperform your turf grass. It just keeps growing and growing, and it's tillers get larger and larger in size. Regular mowing just seems to push it down, where it kind of grows prostrate. I've had a helluva time this fall with overseeding because of orchardgrass. Thankfully, it doesn't spread except by seed.
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For mugwort, if you find an easy, effective controlling method, patent it. Methodical soil sifting for the rhizomes (and then re-doing it for any areas that resprouts) can be practical for a small area, or a big area if you are angry/crazy enough. As far as I know, monthly mowing and controlled burns will reduce, but not eradicate it (mowing study), and hand-pulling will make it worse. Herbicides are a mixed bag, and in general are more effective if combined with mowing (reference). You may be able to avoid their use, but it will take a lot of diligence and man hours, unless someone else has a good strategy against it. Porcelain berry should be cut before flowering, since birds will disperse the seeds. If you have older ones you may have to saw it off at the base. Herbicides work, with follow-up (source). There is a possibility there are seeds in the soil already, so it may pop up again, in seemingly random places. You can pull Argeratina after a rain, and will usually get the whole root system, if you want to get rid of it. It will probably re-spread by seed into your area, eventually, if it is the wild type. Good luck!
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reeljake
6 years ago
That is torpedo grass, very tough invader. Unfortunately not many options are effective. Of course roundup works, as does pulling, but it will continue. Apparently the Florida DOT hits it with a torch, then glyphosate with good success rates. My neighbor has also had some success with Drive XLR8
J D thanked reeljake

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