7 Weeds that Look Like Grass
You are working hard to take care of your yard’s grass. But, do you know there are some weeds that look like grass. This kind of weeds absorbs nutrition from your lawn. As a result, your lawn becomes weak.
Without it, these weeds hold the ability to establish themselves before you can realize their existence. That’s why it is important to identify the grassy weeds so that you can make a deal with them.
In this article, I will be talking about different kinds of weeds that look like grass but actually are not grass.
7 Common Weeds that Look Like Grass
Annual Bluegrass( Poa annual):
Among all of the lawn weeds, the annual bluegrasses are considered as one of the most problematic weeds. The annual bluegrass generally grows well in the winter season when the environment is moist. They are often called poa.
However, this type of weeds can grow in shady, wet areas or under the trees. The annual bluegrass can be a problem for your lawn. Because when the weather will turn hot, the patches will die and will leave bare spots. So, if you want to prevent them, then you have to apply pre-emergent herbicides including dithiopyr, oryzalin and bensulide in the fall.
Carpetgrass(Axonopus sp.):
The carpetgrass is often called the blanket grass. This type of weed prefers shady, boggy areas with acidic soils. The carpetgrass has the ability to grow up to 12-inch and can form a coarse, dense, medium-green mat. The carpetgrass becomes green in the late spring, sends tall seedheads like crabgrass and then starts turning brown as the temperature starts getting down.
Whatever if you want to get rid of this weed, then the composition of 1/4 cup salt along with 1-gallon water works fine often. If this trick is not working, then you can try pre-emergent herbicide like oryzalin. I think you will be able to meet your satisfaction.
Broom sedge (Andropogon virginicus):
This type of weed is found in narrow bunches, specifically in sunny areas with low fertility and low pH levels such as close to the railroad. Generally, it is found green in summer and then turns orange in fall.
To get rid of this weed, the herbicide has not much to do. The non-selective herbicide or spot treating with vinegar will work best for small areas. However, for a large area, you will be asked for liming and proper fertilization.
Quackgrass(Elymus repens):
The quackgrass weed is also known as the common crouch. It is a long-lived weed. The quackgrass can be recognized easily by its finger-like leaves and auricles. They have the ability to spread out extremely through their forms coarse-textured and rhizomes, ashy blue-green patches.
If you want to control this weed, then you need to dig it up by the roots. You have another option though. You can solarize the weed covering using black plastic for about four weeks at least during the hot summer. Applying non-selective herbicide is not a good option here as it can kill your lawn grass. Keep in mind.
Nutsedge(cyperus sp.):
Well, the nutsedge is considered one of the most frustrating weeds. Because it is stubborn and it has a rapid growth. This type of weed feels comfortable in moist areas so that it can remain wet from too much irrigation or poor drainage.
However, if you want to control this weed, then you have to control it before its nutlets form. Because the nutlets have the ability to give birth to new plants and they can remain in the soil.
Foxtail (Setaria sp.):
Well, you can get an idea about this weed from its name. The head of this plant looks like a small fuzzy foxtail. This type of weed has the ability to grow anywhere. But they are common in meadows and prairies. You will find foxtail tall from 10cm to 100cm.
Although the name of this weed sounds cute, they are very problematic to farmers. Because they have the ability to spread themselves quickly. Moist soil is the best for their germination. But they can germinate at any season if the weather condition is favorable.
However, if you want to get rid of this weed, then you have to use herbicidal solutions. You have another option that works best and that is crowding them out with a healthy and thick lawn.
Crabgrass(Digitaria Sanguinalis):
The crabgrass is also known as finger grasses. This type of weeds is very common and invasive. You will find this crabgrass in the driveway edges or sidewalk where the soil is thinner. The germination of this weed occurs in late spring when the soil temperature increases and the weather conditions are about more than 70 degrees consistently.
Getting rid of this grass is not difficult much. Applying pre-emergent herbicide is the best way to get rid of crabgrass. You have to apply the pre-emergent in late spring. However, if you find the weed has already germinated, then you can apply herbicide directly or pull them out using your hands.
