Poa annua in Langley, BC?

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by joeln, May 18, 2009.

  1. joeln

    joeln Member

    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Abbotsford, BC, Canada
    Hello - I have done a little research on the Internet to find out why my lawn, in just 2 years, has turned from a perfectly healthy looking lawn to a total disaster! I live in Langley, BC. I am attaching pictures of what is invading my yard. I believe it to be poa annua but I am not certain. Can someone confirm? I suspect there may be little I can do but if there is a remedy to my problem, please let me know!

    Also, there appears to be a rusty tinge to some of the grass. Is this indicative of anything?

    Joel
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,250
    Likes Received:
    786
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Appears where there is dampness and compaction, as does moss.
     
  3. joeln

    joeln Member

    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Abbotsford, BC, Canada
    Thanks Ron. Can you confirm from the pictures whether it is poa annua or is it something else?

    Joel
     
  4. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,417
    Likes Received:
    501
    Location:
    Britain zone 8/9
    The big patches of coarse grass are not Poa annua; may be Lolium perenne but several other species also possible. Photo #5 might have some Poa annua on the right-hand side of the pic (note the numerous small flower spikes), but accurate grass identification generally needs observation of near-microscopic detail of the flower structure. Mown grass without flower spikes usually can't be identified other than rough guesswork based on overall plant vigour, probability, and general abundance in cultivation (or DNA tests, if you're really desparate and very rich!).
     
  5. joeln

    joeln Member

    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Abbotsford, BC, Canada
    Thanks Michael. If some of what you see is not Poa annua, then might there be a way to eradicate? The area is prone to dampness and standing water. I do plan to implement a drainage solution, but in the short term, is there anything I might be able to apply to the grass to help stop the "weeds" from spreading?

    Joel
     
  6. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,417
    Likes Received:
    501
    Location:
    Britain zone 8/9
    Removing coarse grasses from a lawn is not easy! Any herbicide that would kill the coarse grasses would also kill the desirable finer grasses.
     
  7. greenwork

    greenwork New Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    F.V
    Went through the same heartache. Physical removal with weed picker. Not fun work.
     
  8. czygyny

    czygyny Member

    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Redding, CA
    Hand removal is the best bet. Maybe not fun, but can be therapeudic*. Poa annua will at least burn out of lawns in hot weather and as the good grasses fill in it becomes harder for it to resprout next spring. I agree, it is in one picture up in the right, but I am unfamiliar with the other grass. I have patches of P. annua I have to work at in my creeping thyme every year.


    *I love weeding!...Every summer I work at eradicating a small patch of Bermuda and also white clover in my small lawn. I enjoy it.
     

Share This Page