So you're out enjoying your lawn but notice a large amount of seed heads on the grass blades. Of course the first question that comes to mind is, "this can't be normal... can it?" While this may be a normal site in Ohio lawns; it is by no means a welcomed one. This "seeding" grass is a lawn invader named "Poa Annua," and is quite difficult to control, and even remove. In today's blog, we'll look at this common lawn care issue and how to deal with it.
What Is It?
Poa Annua, otherwise known as Annual Bluegrass, is a lawn care invader that is commonly mistaken with typical Kentucky bluegrass. Its blades are thin and short, but its identifying feature is the short seed heads that contain thousands of seeds. While this "grass" is commonly found in spring, it dies off quickly in the warm summer months, leaving large "gaps" of brown or dead areas in your lawn.
What Causes It?
This lawn care problem is already in your soil. Poa Annua's seeds are very resilient, and can live in your soil for years before germinating. Thriving in cool, wet conditions, this annual bluegrass spreads thousands of seeds in a short amount of time, becoming very difficult to control due to the sheer number of seedlings it produces.
How Do I Control It?
The annual grass is almost impossible to get rid of when appearing; however there are steps to prevent it in the future, as well as limit the amount of it in your lawn. Here's our recommendations on controlling this problem:
- Lawn Aeration - this annual grass is prone to growing in thin, or bare areas of lawn because there is little to compete with. Having a lawn aeration performed in the spring and fall keeps your soil un-compacted, allowing your lawn's root system to "choke" out weeds and other invaders. The less compacted your soil is, the thicker your lawn will be, naturally eliminating this problem.
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- A Well Balanced Lawn Fertilization Program - Keeping your lawn well fed throughout the season will lead to a thick, strong turf plant. When your lawn is thick and its root system is strong; weeds and annual grass have little room to germinate and compete. Look for a lawn program that contains at least six feedings of a well-balanced fertilizer.
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Learn More About Common Lawn Care Disease
Summer is the time of year when lawn care disease and weeds can turn even the best looking lawn into a mess. That's why it's so vital to identify problems before they get out of hand. Download our Free Turf Disease Guide that will explain common lawn care diseases, and how you can get rid of them. Download your free copy by clicking on the button below!