Justin, Carpetgrass is a common name used for several different kinds of grasses in different areas, some of which are desirable and others that are common weeds. It is hard to know how to reply to your question without knowing exactly which carpetgrass you're referring to. I'll assume you're talking about the fairly broadleaved weedy one common in sandy acidic soils that puts up seedheads similar in appearance to those of crabgrass. Using corn meal as a pre-emergent at the time soil temperatures reach the right range for germination might prevent seeds which germinate in spring from growing (it does not actually prevent germination, but prevents cell growth so that newly germinated seeds cannot grow), but wouldn't hurt existing plants since carpetgrass is a perennial grass. In fact, corn gluten meal also is an organic fertilizer, so while it is keeping the new seeds from sprouting, it also is feeding the existing plants. Corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent is only effective for a few weeks, so you'd have to reapply it as long as soil temps are in the right range for seed germination. Do you know the pH of your soil? I hate to advocate messing with soil pH in a portion of the area if the pH doesn't need to be changed over the larger area for some reason. I think you'd have to raise your soil pH to at least 7.5 in order to kill the carpetgrass, and I assume you'd have to do that during the growing season when the grass is green and actively growing. There are several old folk remedies for removing undesirable weedy carpetgrass plants but I hesitate to suggest any of them, having never tried them here. (Carpetgrass won't grow in my highly alkaline soil.) Some people spray the carpet grass with horticultural vinegar. Others spray it with a saltwater spray because the carpetgrass is not salt-tolerant, while bermuda grass generally is salt-tolerant. Others apply borax (you can use the borax sold in boxes on the laundry detergent/soap aisle). If I was going to try one of those, I'd wait until hot weather because herbicides are most effective in warm to hot temperatures. Also, I'd test a small area first to see if (a) the product I wanted to use was effective at killing the carpet grass, and (b) to see if it also killed the bermuda grass. I'd wait a few days after the test to see how the area responded. If I was happy with how it worked, I'd use it over the entire area where carpetgrass is a problem. As long as there is a low moist end of the yard, you may have continual carpet grass problems since it thrives in low, wet areas. Is is the kind of low spot where you can add some soil to raise the level of that area? That might help since carpetgrass thrives in low areas that hold moisture and stay damp. By the same token, if you could improve the drainage in that area (say, by aeration) so the soil would drain better, that might correct the problem. Fixing the soil is the best long-term solution so that you don't have to deal with the same issue every year. Generally, carpetgrass needs more moisture than bermuda grass needs. So, one way to kill it is to starve it of water by not watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Withholding the water generally will not hurt the bermuda grass which is very drought tolerant, but could kill the carpetgrass. Once it dies, you need to rake it out, scrape it out, etc. and remove it. It is perennial so if you leave any live roots behind, it likely will resprout. Once you get rid of the carpetgrass, work to strengthen and improve your stand of bermuda grass. If not, you'll likely have a recurring problem with carpetgrass year after year. It is one of the few grasses that, with adequate moisture, can outcompete bermuda grass in some conditions. There also are some organic herbicides on the market, but I've never tried any of them on carpetgrass. Good luck, Dawn

An act of despairation-- My dog used the carpeted hallway as a comode several times- I tried enzymes I tried enzymes in the carpet cleaner I poured a gallon of the stuff down the hall. Finally, I decided to take a risk. I mixed a solution of bleach and water and dumped in in every spot making sure I soaked the pad and everything. I waited a few minutes then sucked up as much as possible with the carpet cleaner. (I found the spots with a UV light from the pet store.) After getting up ad much of the water as possible, I ran the AC to get the air moving and dry. I would not call this a recomendation, but it worked for me (a light tan carpet.) I ended up treating the area 2 times ( about 1 week apart), but it seams to have done the trick. No discoloration of the carpet.

Nope ..what they did is a disaster...but it saved you money.the cuts should have been 15 x 13-00 15 x 13-00 and a 15 x 4-00 approx. We normally add about 3 inches each to the bedroom cuts so they would be 13-03 each but thats irrelevant to this situation. the hallway...which you had better not been charged for would be about a 15 x4-00 (guessing) so they should have saved you about 60 sq ft of carpet..they let the carpet fly out to the hallway from both sides and then scabbed 2 pieces of waste between the 2 ending points creating 3 side seams. No Way..it was a measuring mistake and they need to find the same dye lot...back it off to the doorways and buy you a 4 ft piece and re seam it in. If they do not have the same dye lot..tell them you want a discount or you can force a total replacement...If the dye lot (same one) is not available to them ...there will be a slight shading difference at the doorway. Was it custom ordered or in stock? Believe me, what they did is not right...and it is an easy fix and I can not believe they are arguing with you at all. oh, wait ii is Lowes and they are not carpet people...learn from this as a good independent would know better than this. It isnt the end of the world for you though..it can be fixed pretty easily. Now the last question is..are you going to be willing to pay for the extra 4 feet (60 sq ft) That's cushion and carpet although they had enough waste for the cushion so tell them to scratch that. Also, the grief factor may nullify the charge for the extra 60 ft of carpet. But it is material that is needed so you have to let your conscious be your guide. we would never charge you for the new piece, but we would not make that mistake or I would be choking someone. It really is carpet 101 and the manager is either a dumb a** or is cahoots with the installer. Check your invoice and post how many sq ft of carpet they sold you. I am curious...They will make it right..it is a no brainier and they should not be arguing here. I would print this post and show it to the manager if they give you any shadow of being reluctance here. let me know what the sq footage they charge you for and then let me know how it turns out. Good Luck. Sorry about the grammar..but I get irked when I am writing this because they should just get out of the carpet business. Go to my3cents.com and read about Lowes..what a stinking joke...but hey, they know how to market themselves and they pay these managers good money too...hard to believe..See ya.

check with the flooring forum