Identify grass

Question: Please help me identify the grass in the photos. It has taken over a big section of my lawn. It comes up taller and brighter green than the surrounding grass. Is it a bad grass? Should I take it out and reseed with a tall fescue to match the rest of my lawn? Thank you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied March 31, 2023, 10:06 AM EDT
response: Good morning.   I'm sending you a couple more photos of the bright green grass I referenced in my question.   Thank you!       -------- Original message -------- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>  Date: 3/30/23 8:22 PM (GMT-05:00)  To: Maureen O'Connor <<personal data hidden>>  Subject: Thank you for your Ask Extension question (#0093936)      Dear Maureen, Thank you for using Ask Extension. A request for support has been created and a representative will follow-up with you as soon as possible. Questions are usually answered within two business days. You can view this question's progress online. YOUR QUESTION #0093936: Identify grass Please help me identify the grass in the photos. It has taken over a big section of my lawn. It comes up taller and brighter green than the surrounding grass. Is it a bad grass? Should I take it out and reseed with a tall fescue to match the rest of my lawn? Thank you. Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States. If you wish to provide additional comments or information regarding the issue, please login to your account for a complete archive of your prior questions and answers.  This message for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalized professional advice. For specific local information, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office or other qualified professionals. eXtension Foundation does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, professional services, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by eXtension Foundation, employees, suppliers, member universities, or other third parties through eXtension is solely at the user's own risk. All eXtension content and communication is subject to the Terms of Use which may be revised at any time.

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 March 31, 2023, 4:03 PM EDT
response: This looks like roughstalk bluegrass, Poa trivialis. It is becoming more common to see this perennial grass show up in lawns at this time of year; it often comes as a containment in lower-quality turfgrass seed mixes.   There are no selective herbicides that will kill just this grass and not your desired lawn grass. Furthermore, Montgomery County's Lawn Pesticide Law prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides on lawns, and there is no organic product that will kill this grass effectively. The two options to manage roughstalk bluegrass are:  Either dig out the clumps (including the roots) and then renovate/overseed the bare areas, or, do nothing -- roughstalk bluegrass becomes less noticeable later in the spring/summer as the turfgrass growth catches up to it. Here is our latest blog article on spring lawn care, which address this and a few other weeds.  Feel free to reach out again if you have any additional questions.  Christa

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 01, 2023, 12:01 AM EDT
response: Thank you, Christa. Not an easy fix. I think I  have a lot of work ahead!   Thanks again.   Maureen       -------- Original message -------- From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>  Date: 3/31/23 4:03 PM (GMT-05:00)  To: Maureen O'Connor <<personal data hidden>>  Subject: Re: Identify grass (#0093936)

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 April 03, 2023, 8:07 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.