Have you noticed those unsightly clumps of thick grass dotting your lawn lately? Grass clumps are not only visually unappealing, but they can also take over your lawn if ignored. Most clumps of thick grass blades are in fact a species of turf grass called Tall fescue (Festuca Arundinacea). Some homeowners plant a variety of this cold-season turf grass, called Kentucky 31, on their lawns because it is both cold- and drought-resistant. But when tall fescue pops up on lawns with different types of grass, it can be quite an eyesore. Fortunately, our lawn care Montclair VA experts have shared with us a handful of tips on how to handle fescue grass clumps on residential lawns.
Dealing with Grass Clumps – Tips from Our Pros in Lawn Care in Montclair VA
In some cases, tall fescue clumps disappear after one mowing session but if the problem is very serious, you might see the clumps becoming more visible each time you give your lawn a fresh haircut. Some homeowners consider tall fescue a weed and try to get rid of it, but their options are very limited.
Due to the grass’ beefy root system, digging it out can be quite the effort. Also, if you’re not doing it correctly, you risk damaging the rest of the lawn. Another solution would be to apply an herbicide onto each fescue clump. You risk, however, killing nearby desirable turf grass if the fescue happens to be too intertwined with the other plants on your lawn.
We have consulted with our specialists in lawn care in Montclair VA to see what’s the best course of action. They told us that beside regular mowing, there are basically only two solutions: manually getting rid of each clump and herbicides. The best time to remove tall fescue from your lawn is in spring when the plant is the most visible as it tends to grow faster than other types of turf grass.
However, digging out adult fescue plants can be very physically demanding due to their deep root systems. Plus, if the work is not done correctly, you can end up with unsightly small holes in your yard. Our experts recommend a complete makeover of your lawn if you want to get rid of the pesky plants for good but with the assistance of a team of professionals.
The second solution is a quality weed killer. Glyphosate, a weed-blasting ingredient found in most herbicides, will get you rid of your fescue problem, but it can kill off other species of turf grass in the process as well. So, pay attention to the instructions and be extra careful when applying it. The best time to spray it on to the fescue is in early spring as soon as the winter is over. The rest of your lawn plants are dormant then, so causalities are kept to a minimum.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask Our Experts for Help
Digging fescue clumps out or simply blasting the weed with herbicides into non-existence are jobs better left to experts. A professional can choose the best course of action depending on your lawn’s features and repair those parts of the yard that are left behind after the operation. You can request a no-obligation Quick Quote of our lawn maintenance services here or have a friendly chat with one of our staffers via either the Contact Us form or the phone at (703) 493-1811.