Grassy weeds may look like just another patch of green in your lawn, but left unchecked, they can quickly take over and ruin the healthy, uniform appearance you’ve worked so hard on.
They can be tough to get rid of once they take hold, so it’s important to know your enemy and act fast.
Jump to Section
- How do I identify grassy lawn weeds?
- How can grassy weeds harm my lawn?
- What’s the best way to keep grassy weeds out of my lawn?
- How do I get rid of weeds that look like grass?
- Crowd Out Weeds with Lawn Care from RainMaster
Left unchecked, these sneaky weeds can take over a lawn, making effective weed control more difficult with each season.
Read on to learn more about grassy lawn weed identification, lawn-safe treatment options and how you can build a healthier, tougher lawn that resists weed infestations naturally.
How do I identify grassy lawn weeds?
Spotting grassy weeds in lawns can be tricky. They hide in plain sight because they really are weeds that look like grass.
While broadleaf weeds like clover and dandelion are easy to spot thanks to wide leaves that stick out like a sore thumb, grassy weeds blend in with their long, narrow leaves. They are, after all, just another kind of grass.
Look for patches of lawn that grow faster than the rest or have a different texture than the surrounding areas. If something looks off, it just might be a grassy weed.
How can grassy weeds harm my lawn?
Grassy weeds in lawns can spread quickly and crowd out the grasses you want, leaving you with an uneven, patchy yard. If you want to keep up appearances, you’ll want to suppress or eliminate these weeds before they get out of control.
Grassy weeds require a special level of treatment, so let’s look at some of the most common grassy weeds found in Eau Claire, WI lawns.
Crabgrass
Crabgrass is one of the most well-known grassy weeds out there and is pretty easy to spot thanks to its branching leaves that look like crab legs.
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It’s one of the most aggressive weeds in lawns and spreads quickly to take over yards, choking out healthy grass. A single plant can put out more than 100,000 seeds every growing season! Those seeds can sit and wait for years before rearing their ugly heads again, so it’s tough to get rid of.
That’s why pre-emergent applications are the best way to stop crabgrass in its tracks. At RainMaster, we’ll take care of crabgrass with two applications – one in early spring and one in late spring.
But even a preemergent application won’t stop crabgrass completely. Routine applications are necessary, and monthly inspections are required to keep it in check.
Creeping Bentgrass
While creeping bentgrass is great on the golf course, it has a habit of sneaking onto home lawns when it gets on shoes, clubs or golf carts. You can spot this grassy weed by looking for dense circular patches growing over the top of your lawn.
Washing or rinsing equipment off is the best way to keep bentgrass on the green where it belongs and out of your yard. Otherwise, you can make multiple applications of Tenacity but be sure to follow the label’s instructions.
Yellow Nutsedge
You can typically spot yellow nutsedge because it grows faster than lawn grasses. Look for bright green, waxy leaves that are taller than your lawn.
This one is tough to get rid of since it’s a perennial, coming back year after year.
Its underground network of tubers, or ‘nutlets,’ help yellow nutsedge spread across your lawn.
But that’s not the only way it attacks. It also reproduces through airborne seeds. Fall applications of preemergent herbicide can slow it down, but it will take two to three years of spot treatments to kill patches entirely.
Quackgrass
Quackgrass has a cutesy name, but its network of rhizomes makes it tough to manage.
Not only does the system of rhizomes make it incredibly hard to pull out by hand, it also produces a chemical compound that stunts the growth of other nearby plants, including healthy grass. Pretty sneaky!
Existing quackgrass will even tough out pre-emergent herbicide applications since it’s a perennial plant. And tilling just spread rhizomes around, making an infestation worse.
There’s no selective herbicide for quackgrass, so this is a spot spray or dig it out situation. You’ll then be able to re-seed the area to fill it in.
Annual Bluegrass
Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) starts out looking like lawn grass but develops seed heads before dying off in mid-summer. That means big dead patches in your lawn.
This is another weed that spreads through underground rhizomes, so it needs to be treated while it’s actively growing.
Since there’s no way to kill annual bluegrass without harming the cool season grasses in Eau Claire lawns, non-selective spot treatments that kill everything in their path is the only way to eliminate it completely.
What’s the best way to keep grassy weeds out of my lawn?
Weeds have a harder time finding a foothold in healthy lawns, so nurturing your yard is step #1. Follow these guidelines for a lawn that resists grassy weeds (and other weeds too).
Watering
Your lawn will thrive when it’s receiving the right amount of water. Too much will drown the roots and too little will leave it thirsty.
The best option is a professional irrigation system, but a timed sprinkler or regular watering will also get the job done with a little more effort.
Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week so give it a good drink once or twice a week, aiming for longer watering that’s less frequent to promote root growth.
Fertilizing
A hungry lawn, just like a thirsty lawn, will struggle to stay healthy and strong. Knowing your grass type will help you figure out when to fertilize and how often.
Just make sure to use a high-quality product to get a good bang for your buck and follow the instructions.
Mowing
It might be tempting to mow shorter so you don’t have to haul out the lawnmower more often.
However, a higher mowing height helps promote strong roots, shades the soil and leaves enough grass leaf that the plant doesn’t get stressed. So keep that mower height at 3 to 3.5 inches!
How do I get rid of weeds that look like grass?
Since they sprout at different times of the year, constant vigilance is necessary to repress grassy weeds. Some, like crabgrass, bentgrass and yellow nutsedge can be treated diligently with a selective herbicide. But make sure you find the right one.
The herbicide used to kill dandelions isn’t going to work on grassy weeds. Think of it like a medication – you need the right prescription (or chemical) for the right sickness (or weed).
After you identify which type of grassy weed you’re dealing with, you can apply the appropriate herbicide or decide to dig it up.
Other grassy weeds, like quackgrass and annual bluegrass, require more of a scorched earth approach. While digging them out will work for smaller patches, bigger problems require a systemic herbicide. Those chemicals will eliminate weeds but will also kill desirable grass in your lawn.
Then, you can start over with overseeding for a weed-free reset. It’s a dramatic tactic, but it’s the only way to make sure grassy lawn weeds are gone for good.
If you aren’t sure what you’re dealing with, a lawn care pro can help you find the right solution.
Crowd Out Weeds with Lawn Care from RainMaster
Whether you want to eliminate grassy lawn weeds completely or just keep them at bay, a professional lawn care company can help you achieve your goals.
If you don’t want to worry about inspecting the lawn, choosing products and repeating applications, let our trained technicians take care of it for you.
Regular pro maintenance will also make sure your grass is healthy and strong, which keeps weeds from taking hold in the first place.
If you’re ready to let the pros at RainMaster take care of the weeds in your Eau Claire, WI lawn, request a quote today! We’ll put together a package that fits your weeds, your needs and your budget. Request your free quote today!
Image Sources | Crabgrass, Bentgrass, Quackgrass, Poa annua
