Knowledgebase

What is this grass in my lawn? #604440

Asked October 27, 2019, 4:26 PM EDT

Hi, early in the spring I overseeded my lawn. In the front I used a kentucky bluegrass seed and in the back I used a a sun and shade mix. I started noticing some new grasses that were not there before. I'm seeing more in the back where the Sun and Shade mix was planted but there are also patches in the front yard where the kentucky bluegrass was planted.

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello,

Thanks for the close up pictures, that helps!

This looks like tall fescue or possibly quackgrass.I couldn’t see the auricles well- quackgrass has longer pointy auricles that overlap around the stem.

 Digging out the clumps is the best control. There are some chemical controls that can be used  in an otherwise pure stand of Kentucky blue grass. In a mixed stand these same chemicals can kill the other grasses, like fine fescue and perennial rye, so you can’t use them in your backyard which is a mix of turf grasses. A third option is to use a non -selective plant killer, like glyphosate or fluazifop, and spot treat the undesirable spots. Here is more information-

http://www.msuturfweeds.net/details/_/tall_fescue_43/

http://www.msuturfweeds.net/details/_/quackgrass_45/

Thanks for using our service.

 

Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied October 27, 2019, 5:35 PM EDT
Thank you Laura! I think tall fescue is the correct ID. This definitely has what to be a very tough fiberous tiller system, definitely not stoloniferous like quackgrass. I've attached a few close-ups of the auricles.
The Question Asker Replied October 27, 2019, 6:04 PM EDT
Yes that looks correct. Tall fescue can be carried around on lawn equipment from yard to yard, or from back to front, like many perennial grasses. Thanks for the clear pix!
Thank you for your question!   Laura S.      Michigan State University Extension Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer You may also contact the toll free MSU Extension lawn and garden hotline at 1-888-678-3464 with your gardening questions or visit www.migarden.msu.edu for Smart Gardening resources. Replied October 27, 2019, 6:07 PM EDT

Loading ...