noob help with grassy weed ID and treatment

EdZ – posted 06 June 2005 16:23

I am new to lawn care so forgive me if this is a silly question.

I have a new lawn (as of last fall) of ‘southern belle’ which is a blend of tall fescue. For the most part it is in great shape. Nice and thick and mowed to 3″.

I am having a problem with a grassy weed that grows ‘much’ faster than the lawn. It is fairly tall, thin leaves about 3-4 strands per bunch. My next door neighbor has a bermuda lawn, and I noticed he has some of this popping up too. Very fast growing, but I’ve not seen any ‘top’ or seeds. Perhaps I’ve just kept it cut soon enough, however it is a pain because it grows so much faster than the rest of my lawn and seems to be spreading a bit. I’ve used Scott’s with weed control, so whatever it is doesn’t seem to be effected by that (which has done a decent job of keeping other weeds at bay).

Any help with an Id and treatment appreciated!

I did put down a pre-emergent, but probably too late (Weed-Ban a corn gluten based product that is environmentally friendly). I’m in Virginia near Richmond.

Thanks in advance for the help – Ed

EdZ – posted 07 June 2005 10:56

After some searches, I believe this is either purple or yellow nutsedge. What are the best ways to treat this?

Thanks!

cohiba – posted 07 June 2005 19:08

Just by your description I was thinking Nutsedge. To be sure, check the main stalk, if it is triangular in shape: it is nutsedge. Manage is your best option for treatment. In the future you may want to look at possible drainage issues. Nutsedge likes the wet areas.

Good Luck……………………..

Buck – posted 08 June 2005 07:15

Go to: http://www.nutsedge.com for an excellent discussion of this problem.

Alex_in_FL – posted 21 June 2005 18:32

I also think this is a sedge (nut, yellow, globe, or purple). Try spot spraying with Manage. Alternatively you can try Image but Manage usually works faster and works on more different types of sedge. Good luck!

Alex

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