Identifying grass in my "lawn"

[NoTrespassing]

Hey all, I'm trying to figure out what type of grass I have in my "lawn". Most of my yard is a mess of weeds, clover, and various types of grasses. It was originally a hay field when I bought the property. About 10 years ago I planted new grass seed in a small area, about 15' x 15' when I moved my propane tank. I have no idea what type of seed I used but it turned out to be the best grass in the yard.

The 15' x 15' area has spread to about 30' x 30' now over the 10 years it's been there. The grass is so thick that no weeds grow in it at all. It is the last area of the yard to turn from brown to green in the spring and it's the first to turn from green to brown in the fall. When it's freshly mowed it looks like a thick plush carpet. I'd really like to plant a lot more if I could figure out what it is. How would one go about identifying the grass? Would it help to let a small area go the seed maybe?

Kevin

 

[jeff9366]

Contribute 2-3 pictures, for a start.

2,4-D based herbicides ("Kills the weeds, not the lawn.") will eliminate the weeds allowing ALL grass to spread.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Contribute 2-3 pictures, for a start.

2,4-D based herbicides ("Kills the weeds, not the lawn.") will eliminate the weeds allowing ALL grass to spread.

Not sure if these will help. 02/25/17, East Central Illinois, snow flurries on the grass. Nice beer cans in the background, the dog got into the recycling again! LOL

 

[JRobyn]

The way it stays brown, sounds like definitely a "warm season" grass (bermuda, zoysia).

 

[Gary Fowler]

It is going to have to grow a lot more before it can be identified, perhaps late spring a photo might work for someone.

 

[oldballs]

The way it stays brown, sounds like definitely a "warm season" grass (bermuda, zoysia).

What he said.

 

[bigtiller]

Where you bought the seed may help. Was it a mom & pop hardware store, big box store, seed dealership or from the internet?

 

[jar06896]

From your description and the picture of the stems it's probably either Zoysia or bluegrass. Zoysia tends to brown or lose its color at the first hard frost. It also grows incredibly tight like a carpet, and creeps. Bluegrass has similar characteristics, but in my experience isn't quite as tight.

 

[Fossil Farm]

A full specimen would certainly help. Provide 2 or 3 to your extension office and see if they will send it to the lab. Some things that are looked at to identify grasses are hairs on the midrib or leaf, leaf shape, clasping or fringed sheath area, spreads by rhisomes or a separate plant, etc. Of course the seed head really helps if the plant is left to grow to that stage.

 

[smstonypoint]

A full specimen would certainly help. Provide 2 or 3 to your extension office and see if they will send it to the lab. Some things that are looked at to identify grasses are hairs on the midrib or leaf, leaf shape, clasping or fringed sheath area, spreads by rhisomes or a separate plant, etc. Of course the seed head really helps if the plant is left to grow to that stage.

I agree. I have doubts about it being zoysia. The OP said he seeded the area, but zoysia is hard to establish without sprigging, even in the South.

Steve

 

[dadster4]

Looks like Bluegrass/Tall Fescue blend to me, won't turn green until mid May in a "normal" spring.

 

[Creamer]

Looks like Bluegrass/Tall Fescue blend to me, won't turn green until mid May in a "normal" spring.

Not sure about that. I have mostly bluegrass and fescue in my lawn and it is slightly green right now - although it has been a warm winter. With the brownness he shows in the photos I have to agree that it is probably a southern grass.

 

[Streetcar]

With deep brown and spreading , I think it is zoysia
Too brown for blue grass or fescue

 

[s219]

Jeez, this is way too cryptic. Maybe come back when it's growing and post a good quality picture.

It definitely sounds like a warm season grass. If it is bermuda, the seeds would have been tiny grains almost like sand, not large and elongated like a typical grass seed. If you had put down bermuda seed, you would have remembered that type of seed I think.

Bermuda will send out runners almost like vines, which will be more obvious near sidewalks. Bermuda also has a "helicopter" looking seed head.

 

[prichard]

Sounds like Bermuda to me. It won't green until temp up to 80.

But we have entirely different climates and grasses.

Like said best bet is County Extension.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I plan to let a patch about 3 ft. diameter grow to maturity this year. We shall see what happens.

Kevin

 

[2LaneCruzer]

It kinda looks like Tiff...which is a variety of Bermuda. I have some in my front yard, but have never liked it. Too much shade, and it is pretty slow growing. It is very fine leafed, and they use it a lot on golf courses. Not great in cold climates.

 

[DrRod]

I have never seen anyone plant zoysia seed -- only plugs. then again I've never seen an elephant fly. But if you can plant it by seed this would be a blessing for my place. I have Japanese Stilt Grass invading the yard, the fields, the woods, everywhere. And if the Bermuda grass is a good competitor I might try some of that. in any case, this has been a very useful thread.

 

[om21braz]

Here's a good link for you, maybe it will help you identify & maintain it:

Turfgrasses - TurfFiles

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I plan to let a patch about 3 ft. diameter grow to maturity this year. We shall see what happens.

Kevin

If you do that you will have plenty of grass seed. That's where I get all my grass seed. 2,4-d the area so I don't get a crop of weed seeds, then scythe off the mature grass and spread it in the areas I want to seed, followed by a pass with the lawnmower set to mulch rather than discharge. Why buy what will grow naturally?