Weed identification needed please...

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Rawb0, Jul 1, 2015.

  1. Rawb0

    Rawb0 Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi All,

    There seems to be a number of lighter coloured patches in random spots of the garden that look like a number of splayed out stalks (after some research they look similar to the poa annua flower when left for a few days).

    I also have similar stalks (although not in patches) across the rest of the lawn. Most of these stalks seem to grow under the lawn height and as a result avoid being mown. Some of these I have traced and pulled out, and they have been almost a foot long!

    I've attached a few pics that can hopefully be used to identify them.

    These pics don't really show the issue that well but any pointers much appreciated.

    20150701_080435.jpg 20150701_080544.jpg 20150627_105139.jpg

    Thanks,
    Rob.
     
    Rawb0, Jul 1, 2015
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  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Are you sure that they are not ryegrass?
     
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  3. Rawb0

    Rawb0 Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi There,

    I'm really not sure. Quite a novice in this department and just going by what I've seen online.

    Here are some close up pictures that may help.

    small_080435.jpg small_080515.jpg small_080521.jpg

    If it is Ryegrass, is this considered a weed? Any idea of the best method to manage it?

    Thanks very much,
    Rob.
     
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  4. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I am no expert, but I am still of the mind that it is ryegrass that you have; here is an idea of what it looks like

    perennial_rye_grass_flower_spike.jpg

    As far as I know, it is a hardy sort of grass that is often used for high traffic areas and in cool climates (I remember it from back home in Scotland) - trouble is, in the kind of temperatures we are getting in England at the moment, I don't think it would take much persuasion to run to seed; the image above is actually the flower/seed head which is atop a long thin but sturdy stem, and I reckon it is those flower stalks that you are seeing in your lawn.

    If I am right, then it is not a weed as such, but of course you are quite at liberty to decide that it is not right for your garden. The only suggestions I have to avoid it laying flat and not getting cut are:

    - Don't bother with a Flymo type mower, they are less than useless
    - Sharpen or even renew the blades on your mower to make sure that if it does encounter a rye flower stalk that it cuts it and doesn't flatten it out.
    - Mow regularly to keep the stems as short as possible
     
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      Fat Controller, Jul 1, 2015
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    • Rawb0

      Rawb0 Apprentice Gardener

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      Thanks very much for the assistance.

      I do mow often, usually twice a week but only use a hover mower which I am intending to replace very soon (think I'll treat myself on the weekend!). I'm guessing that this could be the issue with getting a decent cut.

      The picture you uploaded is exactly the same as I have at home so almost definitely Ryegrass. Does this mean that the lawn is a Ryegrass variety, or that Ryegrass seeds, by some means, have got on to the lawn and grown?

      Is there a way to remove these long stalks (even manually tugging them out) or just let them be?

      Thanks,
      Rob.
       
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        Rawb0, Jul 1, 2015
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        The lawn is likely to be a mixture of 'amenity' grass - basically, it is a blend of different types of grass that will give an overall lawn that looks good, tolerates extremes of temperature, wears well, etc etc etc.

        I wouldn't be tugging them out, I would get yourself a lawn mower that actually mows the lawn. A hover mower either flattens or rips the grass to shreds depending on how strong the grass is - ryegrass is as tough as old boots so it will flatten and then spring back up.

        If I can be so bold, can I suggest you treat yourself to a Bosch Rotak - there is a large range of varying sizes, but they all share one characteristic which is that they do a really good job of cutting grass.

        The other thing I would suggest, is to get yourself a sprinkler and water the lawn at least a few times a week in this sort of weather - part of the reason that the grass is bolting (going to seed) is because it is stressed and thinking it is going to die with the heat - it is pre-programmed to reproduce before it dies.

        Our @Sheal is better than I am with lawns (although I have recently given myself a crash course!), and I am sure she and others will join in to help you. Fear not, we will get you sorted :blue thumb:
         
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        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          Your doing a great job @fat controller, don't mind me, feel free to carry on. :heehee:

          Joking aside, yes it is rye grass and yes it's very frustrating because it lies flat. If it bothers you - you could dig it out but it may reappear if you leave any roots in the ground.

          If you study the side or back of a grass seed box then it will give a list of what seed it contains and those seeds will differ for each type of lawn desired. For the colder climates like ours ryegrass is quite often used.

          Hover mowers are really only suitable for mowing banks, a rotary or cylinder mower is best for lawns.
           
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            Sheal, Jul 1, 2015
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