Unwanted Grass in your Lawn

Green, lush grass is the goal of any lawn.  Unfortunately, sometimes different varieties of grasses crop up in our turf that cause uneven patches of density or color.  Here at VIRIDIS Lawn Care we want to help you identify and manage these unwanted grasses so you can improve your lawn’s appearance, texture and health.

A few of the common unwanted grasses include:

• Annual Bluegrass

This is a cool season grass that produces seed heads. It thrives in shady, moist areas. The leaves are coarser than most lawn grasses.

• Barnyard Grass

This maroon tinted grass prefers warm weather and moisture.  Its seed head divides into several segments.

• Bentgrass

This perennial grass prefers cool weather.  It sends out runners much like strawberry plants. Keeping lawn mowed too closely can allow bentgrass to dominate. It appears fluffy and fine compared to more desirable lawn grasses.

• Bermuda Grass

Considered a noxious weed in most Utah counties, this grass spreads though runners and its root system. It prefers warmer weather and produces a seed head with a branching pattern.

• Crabgrass

This warm weather weed roots easily. It has many long thin segments on its seed head.

• Quackgrass

This broad-leafed grass prefers cool weather and spreads through underground roots.

• Tall Fescue

Fescue prefers cooler seasons. Its leaves have fibrous veins which show when cut. They can be up to half an inch wide with ribbed tops and shiny underneaths. Bottoms of the plant can appear maroon in color.

Different options are available for removing these unwanted weeds. Often herbicides can assist but you must be very careful about applying them as they can also kill wanted grass in the lawn.  Digging or pulling to remove unwanted grass is an option but is more labor intense and will leave a bare spot that will need to be reseeded.

The best method of control for all of these weeds is having a healthy, thick lawn so seeds don’t have a chance to germinate.  Mow height is key. Between 2  ½ – 3 inches will help keep unwanted seeds from receiving the sunlight they need to germinate. Irrigation is also important. Watering deeply and less frequently will cause difficulty for shallow rooted grasses to grow.  Also, be sure to seed bare areas quickly.