What type of grass is this?

bajaboy1

I'm in Northern Ky.
About and 1/8-1/4 of my yard is this clumpy, course grass.
What is it and how do I irraticate it?

Thanks

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bajaboy1

Before someone say's something, that's not my Journey cd!!! It's the wifes!!!
LOL!!!

bob22

looks like crabgrass to me. Typically you use a pre-emergent weed killer in spring before the plants seeds germinate. WHen to apply depends on where you live. Halts by Scotts is one brand.

downunder

Goosegrass.
The silvery-white center is distinctive. Looking down at it on the ground you can see it much better than in these photos. Not criticizing the photos, just saying looking at it from a different angle.
Crabgrass is much longer stemmed and the seed pods are in clusters at the end of the stems, hence 'digitarius' in the name.

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bajaboy1

more pics

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downunder

New pics help. Now I can see that it is Dallisgrass. Basically the same as crabgrass and you can use an MSMA crabgrass killer on it with fairly good results. Those big, flat wads of green are fairly distinctive in that they don't grow as high as the crabgrass and goosegrass.

Try reading this:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7491.html

This on smooth crabgrass (not the large hairy crabgrass) shows that can be confusing:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS...crabgrass.html

Hope this helps.
Richard

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handy man88

Crabgrass.

To get rid of it, you'll have to dig it out with a spade and then put down good grass seed. Before spring, put down some preemergent crabgrass killer.

downunder

That's a lot of diggin'.

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handy man88

Who ever said lawn care was easy?

bob22

You can get some Roundup spray and if you aim right kill only the crabgrass if it is in isolated patches. Otherwise, wait til spring to put down the pre-emergent. You still need to use the pre-emergent either way as crabgrass you have has likely produced seeds that will germinate next year so you have to get them next year before they try to germinate.

bajaboy1

Shot it with some round up. Ended up being 1/2 the yard, so diggin was not an option. I'll treat it next spring I guess.
Read somewhere that it's an annual anyway? I guess I wasted my time even trying to kill it this late in the year?
I'll just aerate and overseed now and wait till spring for crabgrass treatment.
Sound like a plan?
Thanks

bajaboy1

Yep, definetly Dallisgrass after looking at that link. Looks like I may be holding off on my aerating and seeding so I can rid this stuff. May take a couple applications of killer I guess. Even after I kill it with round up, how long till I can aerate and overseed? I'm here in Northern Ky.
Thanks

handy man88

Probably after it rains a few times.

Also, if you put down fresh seed, it may not be a good idea to put down a preemergent crabgrass/weed killer like Scotts with Halts come spring time.

bajaboy1

I think I'm going to just dig it all up since I have an aerator rented for this weekend.
So if I put down new seed this weekend, don't use preemergent crabgrass/weed killer next spring?
Also, when I put down this new seed, can/should I use a starter fert, and do I still need to put down something before winter?
Thanks again.

downunder

If you use "Roundup" (glyphosate) you can aerate and reseed in just a day or two. Soil bacteria will neutralize the glyphosate almost immediately. FYI- If you use lake water, etc. to mix Roundup, it will be useless and not work, according to other information I have come across, although I cannot vouch for that personally. I do know that glyphosate works by being absorbed through the leaves, which is why it is one of the safer products to use with the caveat of good aim. Whatever you get it on, it will effect. But, it does not last in the soil to bother roots, etc.

Commercial Pesticide Applicator

ABSOLUTELY NO PRE-EMERGENT until next spring!

I always use a small amount of starter fertilizer. Phosphorous (middle number) helps roots develope. Also, P does not move in the soil very readily, which in my opinion means that if you wait until the roots are 4-6 inches deep, then put out fertilizer, the food will be trying to catch the roots. Think of as: A. being late for supper and having to wait in line at your favorite restaurant or, B. Having reservations made with your order already on the table!

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