Supporting copy for the Request Service call out button.
Serving Rockford and the Surrounding Areas Since 1994
Forever Green Inc - Logo
815-636-0610

​​ ​ ​
Enter your payment amount here
​​​
​
GRASSY LAWN WEEDS

Grassy Lawn Weeds


Each of these grasses are characterized by a very vigorous and invasive growth pattern. This is especially troublesome in turf, because, unlike their common broadleaf counterparts, selective herbicides for their control are not possible.


Weed control DOES NOT work on these plants. Glyphosate (Round-up) a non-selective, general purpose herbicide works to control these weeds but will kill all vegetation around the area of application resulting in the need for an over seed of your desired grass species. Other products that can work to help treat these weeds in Q4 and Tenacity.

Crabgrass

Crabgrass is just one of many annual grassy weeds which cause problems in lawns. Its thick, hairy blades can smother the more desirable lawn grasses during the summer. And when frost hits the plant, you're left with large, brown patches of dead grasses. Crabgrass germinates during the spring and early summer when soil temperatures start reaching 60 degrees F for five consecutive days. The primary way to combat this is by providing a vigorous, dense competitive turf coupled with pre-emergence herbicides. 
AVOID cutting turf too short. Low-mowing can lead to an open turf stand in which weed seeds can easily germinate. Supply the appropriate fertilizers so that necessary nutrients are available for turf during the spring flush of growth.

Tall Fescue

 Tall Fescue is a bunch-type perennial cool season grass that is undesirable in lawns. From the spring until about mid to late June is when you're most likely to get Tall Fescue. The largest problem with Tall Fescue is the fact that it is a perennial, meaning that once it gets into your lawn, it will come back every year.
Lawns mowed 2 1/2 inches or higher tend to have less problems with annual and perennial grasses like crabgrass and Tall Fescue. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent annual/perennial grassy weeds from emerging and completing its germination cycle and growing. They can usually be applied throughout the month of May.  There are many practices that can help the growing conditions of your lawn like: 
  • core aerations to reduce compaction and work the soil
  • over seeding to increase grass density
  • proper watering
  • mowing at the proper height

Quackgrass

Quackgrass is a creeping perennial grass that looks similar to ryegrass, goosegrass and may also resemble crabgrass. However, quackgrass can be distinguished by its long tapered blades that are thicker than the average blade of grass. Quackgrass also has a distinctive leaf blade that wraps around the stem of the plant and has very deep roots. Typically during the month of June, the grass plant will begin to produce seeds. These seeds are then transferred from the plant by birds or wind to new areas where they are able to begin the germination process. Due to it being a grassy weed, it does not respond to typical post emergent herbicides applications. Chemical removal process includes using a non-selective herbicide, such as round-up. Once the quackgrass has died off completely, the area should then be seeded. 
The best way to prevent this weed is to ensure the lawn has a thick and healthy stand of grass. The thicker the lawn, the less room weeds have to grow. Mowing at a higher setting will shade the ground and prevent sunlight from reaching the soil, where weeds sit and wait for the optimum conditions to grow. 

Foxtail

Foxtail weed is an annual grass that, like crabgrass, rears its ugly head in the summer time. It gets its name from the bushy seed heads it produces, which look like foxes’ tails. There are three different types of foxtail that grows in the U.S.: yellow, green, and giant. Yellow foxtail is the smallest and the most prevalent in lawns. Foxtail weed can grow in a wide range of conditions and can be found in both moist and dry soil. It has wide, flat leaf blades that look similar to crabgrass, but can be easily distinguished from crabgrass when the seed heads form in summer.

The best ways to prevent foxtail:

  • Stop it before it Starts: Apply a pre-emergent in the spring to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to grow thick and lush while also killing and preventing foxtail, crabgrass, and other listed weeds.
  • Crowd it out: A thick, lush lawn is the best defense against weeds. Regular fertilizer applications will not only improve your lawn’s appearance, but will also strengthen and thicken the grass to help crowd out weeds.
  • Mowing at the proper height.

Nutsedge

Nutsedge is very aggressive and persistent perennial weed that commonly infest lawns, vegetable and flower gardens, and home landscapes. They can be very difficult to eradicate.

Nutsedge is often referred to as “nutgrass” because they closely resemble grasses. Correctly identifying nutsedge is very important because most herbicides for grass control aren't effective on this kind of grassy weed. Nutsedge can be distinguished from grasses by their stems, which are triangular or V-shaped in cross-section, while grass stems are hollow and round. Their leaves are thicker and stiffer than most grasses and are arranged in groups of three at the base.  Tubers and rhizomes survive in the soil and sprout the following spring.

The best ways to prevent nutsedge:

  • Crowd it out: A thick, lush lawn is the best defense against any weeds. Regular fertilizer applications will not only improve your lawn’s appearance, but will also strengthen and thicken the grass to help crowd out weeds.
  • Mowing at the proper height.


Zoysia

Due to the aggressive nature of zoysia grass, it can be labeled as invasive. It grows in a very thick dense patches which can choke out more desirable grasses in your lawn and can also cause thatch. 

Zoysia grass in meant for warmer climates than our own so due to our colder temperatures, it will not stay green year-round in our climate. Zoysia grass will only look green for about three months of the year and then lose the green hue around mid-autumn. Often, the lawn will stay brown well into Spring.

Zoysia grass can only be eradicated by a non-selective herbicide.

If you notice any of these undesirable grassy weeds in your yard, contact us to see what we can do to get your lawn back into tiptop shape!

Share by: