Weed

Question: I am unable to identify and control the weed plant shown in the three photos attached. It's beginning to take over my back yard... Please advise as to identification and control options. Thx so much.
Rob E

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 10, 2024, 1:30 PM EDT
response: Hi,  This is Japanese Stilt Grass. You can review our tips for managing it on the link provided. There are additional links at the bottom of the page and, the one for Penn State is helpful as well.  At this point in the season, you can hand dig up the large clumps, use a targeted post emergent spray on the areas of it, or keep mowing it with your lawn until the fall. Then in the fall as it starts to go to seed, you can make sure to bag your lawn clippings and dispose of them. If you mow those areas lower than the rest of the lawn you can try to limit the offput of having them go to seed again. The following spring, you can apply a granular pre-emergent to help prevent new plants from germinating.  Let us know if you have specific questions with the information on the link and we can help direct you further.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 10, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT
response: Hi. Thanks for the reply, but thought is was Japanese Stilt grass too until: (1) I tried to pull it and it's a plant that doesn ot have the shallow roots of the J Stilt grass, and (2) the chemical I have used over the years to control J Stilt gass (Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) is having no effect on this weed. My house backs up to Blandair N (north of Rt. 175) and that's where the J Stilt grass (and now this weed) came from. Any further assistance appreciated. Thx!Rob E On Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 1:30 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 10, 2024, 2:06 PM EDT
response: One picture is J Stilt grass alone showing (hopefully) that it does not grow close to the ground (like the weed in question) and another shows some J Stilt grass that I pulled and placd next to the weed in question showing the difference between the lease in length and color. I hpoe this is helpful as I am certain I'm not the only one in Ho Co having this problem. Thx.Rob E On Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 1:58 PM Rob Earle <<personal data hidden>> wrote:Hi. Thanks for the reply, but thought is was Japanese Stilt grass too until: (1) I tried to pull it and it's a plant that doesn ot have the shallow roots of the J Stilt grass, and (2) the chemical I have used over the years to control J Stilt gass (Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) is having no effect on this weed. My house backs up to Blandair N (north of Rt. 175) and that's where the J Stilt grass (and now this weed) came from. Any further assistance appreciated. Thx!Rob EOn Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 1:30 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 10, 2024, 2:25 PM EDT
response: The photos you are showing us does look like Japanese stilt grass to us. Mowing it and the different ages of the grass, even sun and shade patterns, can change the look of the leaves and growth patterns.  When and how are you applying the herbicide? Are you following all the label directions? Plants can change and develop resistance to chemicals so that could be happening but we are not aware of it with that chemical yet.  The roots could depend on soil type and age of the plant as well.  If you think it is something different we would need to be able to see some other grass identification characteristics like the ligule, oracle, flowers and seed heads, etc. The link we provided is a key to ID grass from Virginia Tech.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 10, 2024, 2:29 PM EDT
response: I learned about following the directions re: applying the chemical the hard way so, yes, I follwed the instructions (and have been with success in  the past). I will have a look at the Va Tech site for some add'l guidance. Thx.R. On Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 2:25 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 10, 2024, 2:31 PM EDT
response: you're welcome- happy to help further if we can!