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Uncertain of the type of grass taking over shaded yard
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Author:  KRLiddle [ Sat May 05, 2007 7:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Uncertain of the type of grass taking over shaded yard

When we bought our house in 2004, the yard was covered with St. Augustine that was probably tended by a lawn service. We neither want nor can afford lawn service, so we've taken the "low maintenance" approach, pulling weeds by hand, watering enough to maintain moisture and our foundation, and not cutting too much off when mowing (with a mulching mower). The St. Augustine is still dominant in the front yard, but our active boys made short work of it in the back. Some brown patch last year also wiped out a lot on the south side.

Two years ago, I noticed a patch of nice, soft grass developing underneath one of the two pecan trees growing in our back yard. I told it, "Hey – I like you. If you want to spread all over, you have my blessing." It spread a bit last year, which pleased me. Then this year, for the first time, I spread corn gluten meal in March – and I can't believe what's going on in our back yard. I don't know what kind of grass it is, but it is definitely doing well. It's a bright, soft grass that seems to grow in clumps and has tolerated the feet of playing children. It is growing in our mostly-shaded back yard.

1. Can anyone identify it?
2. How do I best encourage its further growth and spread?
3. How close and frequently should I mow this grass?
4. Do I dare overseed with similar grass to fill in?

If you all can help, I will be most thankful.

Author:  sandih [ Sun May 06, 2007 6:57 am ]
Post subject: 

can you post an image of it? Is it very thin and fine? Probably a rye?

Author:  Tricky Grama [ Sun May 06, 2007 7:34 am ]
Post subject: 

This happened in our back yard too! From what I've seen of pictures of Poa & rye, I can't tell which it is! I'm just enuf pessimistic to know that it will die in the heat...

Patty

Author:  KRLiddle [ Sun May 06, 2007 10:34 pm ]
Post subject: 

sandih wrote:
can you post an image of it? Is it very thin and fine? Probably a rye?


I will try to get a representative picture of the grass in daylight on Monday. In the meantime, I would not say that it is thin and fine, but rather tufts of blades as wide as 3/16".

Author:  KRLiddle [ Mon May 07, 2007 8:00 pm ]
Post subject: 

Here is a picture of this grass. Sorry, but it was mowed this weekend, so the full shape of the blades can't be seen. Moreover, the clearest picture came out with the flash. The debris is all pecan tree litter. The St. Augustine grass is in the background.

https://mail.jaars.org/~katherine_liddl ... /grass.jpg

Image

Author:  user_48634 [ Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:37 pm ]
Post subject: 

I see it in my yard every couple years, but the St Augustine always forces it out.

It looks like you might be mowing too low. I can see the soil between the grass. Do you irrigate when it is not raining? And do you fertilize? I just can't figure out why your grass is so thin.

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