Grass/Weed ID please

jackj – posted 19 May 2005 09:51

Could someone ID this grass/weed that’s everywhere in my St. Augustine lawn? The photos are at: http://tinyurl.com/dhe8kI’m in Tampa, FL area, where it’s now getting hot (mid 80’s) and we’ve started getting good rainfall.I sodded last fall, but it didn’t take well. We had a very dry winter, I don’t have a sprinkler system, and apparently didn’t water well enough. I also mistakenly fertilized with Milorganite after it had gone dormant, which I think hurt it. So it’s struggling, and recently there are “chutes” with seeds(?) coming up throughout. Is it possible that this is St. Augustine, but that it only comes up where it’s thin, as a way to spread via seed as well as runners? My backyard and other people’s lawns that are established don’t have this.Along with the “problem” grass/weed, I put up photos showing the status of the thinned lawn. Any thoughts on what I should do to encourage the St. Augustine to fill in?I’ve dug up some dead spots with the thought that the runners will fill it in now that it’s not dormant. Should I dig up more where there’s a lot of dead stolons mixed in with live? Am I right in thinking that allowing the runners to grow into/over the dead stolons can cause future problems by creating a high stolon network? Thanks for any and all help.

Alex_in_FL – posted 21 June 2005 18:45

I am not real positive of the weeds. You may have some sedge and crabgrass. The tall pieces looked like St Augustine to me (that needed to be cut).

My suggestions:- rake the dead St Augustine out — I never get St A to grow over dead St A

– rake the patches of dirt — this loosens and aerates soil

– apply a weed and feed with atrazine — I am not real fond of WF — However WF price is about the same as for dry atrazine

– spot spray weeds with Image

– water appropriately (if needed E. FL is getting plenty of rain)

Best of luck to you.

[This message has been edited by Alex_in_FL (edited 21 June 2005).]