Identify this indestructable grass

Hi everyone this is my first post so be gentle. I have about 1/2 acre of lawn spread over 3 areas. The main lawn, the one at the front of the house, was in very bad order when we moved into the house 2 years ago and had a heavily overgrown tree stump in it. Last year I had a digger in to remove the stump and level the uneven areas then I seeded it. The ground is very poor and the soil cover in some areas is shallow but that's for another day. One area of the 'new' lawn seemed to be taken over but the grass as pictured below. I selectively sprayed it with roundup but as the season progressed it became clear that I'd have to spray a larege area so killed off about a third of the lawn.

Problem is the damn grass keeps coming back and I'm begining to think I will have to get the digger back to clear the area and start again. Not sure I can afford it this year so I'd like some advice.


Can anyone identify this grass and maybe advise how to rid my lawn of it as I fear it's spreading quite readily. In my last house I had a lovely lawn and would like to achieve that again here.

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi qikker. Welcome to the nut house.

Before we start. Any one got any better ideas than good old fashioned couch? How many times did you spray it qikker? Hope more than once if using Roundup.

 

Wow that was quick, sprayed twice last year but seems to be back this year again.

 

Yeah, I think its couch as well.

Not sure, but unless your aiming for a top quality lawn, I think it will tend to weaken and die out if close mown.

I have it on my allotment and the one place it isn't is the grass paths, which have been mown for a few years.

 

Woah. The great debate has just begun. Couch grass (which is one of the nastiest) is just an opening gambit. Someone will come in with alternatives, Then the great debate will begin. But we will end up with the final answer. And unlike an encyclopedia, it will be right in the end. Of course, six of us will end up not talking. :D

 

Well. I usually get death threats when I suggest something. But it appears that the consensus is that I am right (2 Moderators). So over to Marley. Spray, spray and then spray again. Bayer from Wilkinsons is cheaper than Roundup by the way and has the same chemical make-up.

 

Strange thing shiney, couch grass thats afraid of turnips.
I'm not doubting you, but I have seen those sharp shoots go right through potatos, its a weed to be scared of, I reckon.

:D

 

Ok, looking like a consensus on couch grass. Can I selectivly spray it or blanket spray? Are we talking a year to get rid of it or years?

The area affected is about tennis court size and covers a chunk of the front lawn. I'd like to have it looking tidy some time soon.

Not sure turnips would look to great in my lawn.

By the way all, very quick response. I'm Impressed!!

 

Spray the lot and have done, two sprayings a fortnight apart, use a sprayer not a watering can

For roundup as youve got a large area you may aswell buy a litre of propper profeshional concentrate rather than the stuff from the garden centre as its less strong and not as effective.

Roundup breaks down upon soil contact so after the second spraying has worked (2 weeks) you can cultivate and ree seed.

The dilution is 200ml to 10 litres water.

For chemicals I use Amenity Land Services, tel 01952 641949

Round up pro Bicatve �£22.81 plus vat and delivery so around �£30.

 

Hey GG that is brilliant. Welcome to Plasticorner.

Are you being sarcastic or humorous? Or are you a millionaire with shares in non-gardening projects? :D

 

Just a thought Paul, but on the subject of glyphosate, (Roundup).
You concentration, (200ml to 10ltrs) sounds stronger than that which is stated on the bottles bought from the garden centres, (I've not gone out and looked BTW).


So is the stuff actually stronger, or just applied as a stronger solution?

How much do you get for �£30?


GG, are you sure your on the right site. :D :D

 

Yep the grass is currently awful due to the fact that I sprayed it off twice last year and lightly seeded it way too late in the season, plus it's rained pretty much every day for 3 months or more here.

Oh the joys.

Plastic fantastic is just not for me. ;~)

[ 01. April 2008, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: Daisees ]