Tall fescue is a coarse-textured grass, often used as a primary turf species. Tall fescue infestations often result from contamination in a lower quality seed source. Tall fescue leaves are rolled in the bud shoot, and the stem bases are often reddish-colored. Orchardgrass is also a bunch-type grass, like tall fescue, with a coarse, upright growth habit. Orchardgrass has very compressed, flat stem bases, is folded in the bud shoot, has no auricles, and has a long, membranous ligule.
Infestations are also usually the result of contaminated seed lots.
When there are few weedy patches, bunch-type grasses can best be cut out with a shovel. Be sure to cut down three to four inches into the soil to get all the stems. The holes should be refilled and seeded or sodded immediately. The seed and soil should be representative of that already in the area. If the area has a large number of plants, chemical control will be more efficient.