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What's growing in my grass and how do I fix it!

  • 08-03-2019 11:21am
    #1
    djd80
    Registered Users Posts: 440 ✭✭


    Hi All


    I have a relatively common question but I wanted some help from the more knowledgeable folk on this forum.


    I have garden which was laid about 18 months ago.



    All is fine in general but there are a couple of areas which are starting to become overgrown by the weeds in the picture.


    Last year on the recommendation of the landscaper who sowed the grass I spread lime on it and he said keep cutting regularly and the grass will overpower it but it didn't happen.


    Can anyone identify what the weed is and how I can kill it and go about restoring my grass...


    Thanks a lot


Comments

  • #2
    scuby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 908 ✭✭✭scuby


    Looks like Daisies, just use a small garden trowel, in under the root and pop them up and out. They spread over the grass when growing


  • #3
    djd80
    Registered Users Posts: 440 ✭✭djd80


    scuby wrote: »
    Looks like Daisies, just use a small garden trowel, in under the root and pop them up and out. They spread over the grass when growing


    I was thinking that but wasn't sure. There are an awful lot of them and about 3/4 of an acre of garden. Is there a spray or something I could use - I'd be digging them out for a month!!


  • #4
    scuby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 908 ✭✭✭scuby


    djd80 wrote: »
    I was thinking that but wasn't sure. There are an awful lot of them and about 3/4 of an acre of garden. Is there a spray or something I could use - I'd be digging them out for a month!!

    You could probably get something in a garden centre etc, I had a handy size garden to do, so dug them up.


  • #5
    wildwillow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,186 ✭✭✭wildwillow


    Any spray suitable for lawns will set the daisy plants back but you will need several applications. Regular mowing will keep them in check and eventually get rid of them. It's impossible to keep that size of lawn weed free unless you mow every few days and keep feeding and using weed killer.
    If you could change your outlook and accept that the lawn will never be perfect, you will save yourself grief and money and not damage the enviornment.


  • #6
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    You might find it very time-consuming and expensive - and possibly environmentally unfriendly - to maintain an area that size as pure green grass.

    Those are daisies. They aren't the worst weed at all - they grow low and provide coverage. They're not like ragwort or dandelions.

    And they are wildflowers so they have a value as that.

    If you needed the lawn to be plain green for something like a party then just cutting it will take the flowers off the daisies and they will grow back again afterwards.


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  • #7
    djd80
    Registered Users Posts: 440 ✭✭djd80


    Thanks All

    I don't mind the daisies themselves I just dont like the broad leafs that come with them. I wont be cracking up over it but if there had been a handy way to kill them in bulk I would have done it....


  • #8
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    worker bee wrote: »
    You might find it very time-consuming and expensive - and possibly environmentally unfriendly - to maintain an area that size as pure green grass.
    agree, lawns are overrated.


  • #9
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    To kill in bulk you'll need a large pack of a 'weed, feed and seed' product.

    But it is a weed killer which is not great for pets and kids - and the insects etc.

    And the weeds will grow back again every season.

    You can dig them out - kind of. I have done it on a smaller lawn - and with patches of clover. But again, they will grow back if you don't stay on top of it.


  • #10
    gozunda
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,996 ✭✭✭✭gozunda


    djd80 wrote: »
    I was thinking that but wasn't sure. There are an awful lot of them and about 3/4 of an acre of garden. Is there a spray or something I could use - I'd be digging them out for a month!!

    Sheep! Borrow some sheep.

    http://www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/wgrazing.htm


  • #11
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    If there was actually somewhere that townies could 'borrow' a sheep for a week or however long it takes to eat the grass in a suburban garden I would totally be on for that.

    We would absolutely mind her - though the kids' hearts might be broken when they had to give her back.


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  • #12
    Doctors room ghost
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭Doctors room ghost


    worker bee wrote: »
    If there was actually somewhere that townies could 'borrow' a sheep for a week or however long it takes to eat the grass in a suburban garden I would totally be on for that.

    We would absolutely mind her - though the kids' hearts might be broken when they had to give her back.



    A dog would probably find her and worry her or worse and sheep don’t like being on their own.a goat would do the job for you And they don’t mind being on their own


  • #13
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    Ah, I'm only joking anyway - kind of.

    We're total townies. It's an enclosed garden - no dogs have access at all.

    The kids would have her tormented - she'd be petted and groomed to within an inch of her life. And they would be devising treats for her. She'd never be able to be 'just one of a flock' ever again.

    Though seriously, if this 'mind a sheep or goat' became a real thing I'd be totally in there.


  • #14
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    plant a bit of woodland. less hassle in the long term than a lawn, somewhere interesting for the kids to play in, good for wildlife.


  • #15
    Doctors room ghost
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭Doctors room ghost


    worker bee wrote: »
    Ah, I'm only joking anyway - kind of.

    We're total townies. It's an enclosed garden - no dogs have access at all.

    The kids would have her tormented - she'd be petted and groomed to within an inch of her life. And they would be devising treats for her. She'd never be able to be 'just one of a flock' ever again.

    Though seriously, if this 'mind a sheep or goat' became a real thing I'd be totally in there.

    You’d get a goat for small money they would do the job for ya


  • #16
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    Thread definitely derailed now.

    I don't want a permanent goat - more like a foster goat.

    Most townies in my area wouldn't have room/food for one all the time. My kids love that zoo programme where a creature has to be hand reared - when they were younger they genuinely believed there was some sort of register like jury duty and we might get the call to mind a sad goat or cub or something!

    Sorry - back to the daisies - learn to love them, I guess.


  • #17
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,141 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Doctors room ghost wrote: »
    You’d get a goat for small money they would do the job for ya

    Goats are browsers, not grazers. They'll eat everything but the grass!

    What you want is wallabies. Nice soft webbed feet, very shy.

    You need good fencing though.


  • #18
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,797 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    It won't be too long before monoculture grass becomes very unfashionable and everyone will be encouraging all sorts to grow in it.

    Mildly interesting that I have some woodland which has lots of common weeds growing, along with millions of bluebells, but not a blade of grass. You would think there would be the odd tuft of grass, but nada, zilch.


  • #19
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    yep, same here. i only have a tiny patch - roughly the bottom 15 foot of a suburban garden (about 40 foot wide) and there's no grass under the trees. there *is* robin run the hedge at the moment, plus some brambles and wild rose seedings, but the brambles are easy to keep on top of.


  • #20
    kylith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,736 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    I've considered that if I had the space for a lawn I'd sow clover instead; low growing, nice flowers, good for the bees.


  • #21
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,106 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Dig them out. Fertilise and put small amount of seed down.

    Then get a robot mower. The mulching and regular cutting should keep it in check


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  • #22
    Defunkd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 408 ✭✭Defunkd


    djd80 wrote: »
    Hi All


    I have a relatively common question but I wanted some help from the more knowledgeable folk on this forum.


    I have garden which was laid about 18 months ago.



    All is fine in general but there are a couple of areas which are starting to become overgrown by the weeds in the picture.


    Last year on the recommendation of the landscaper who sowed the grass I spread lime on it and he said keep cutting regularly and the grass will overpower it but it didn't happen.


    Can anyone identify what the weed is and how I can kill it and go about restoring my grass...


    Thanks a lot
    Common daisies.

    How to treat: I fertilise the lawn first and a few days to a week later, i apply the herbicide (i use grazon 90 but a few applications are needed).
    Feeding the lawn and weeds first has 2 benefits: the new growth on the weeds is more susceptible to the herbicide and as they die back, the grass has been fed and is better suited to take over the bare patches where the weeds were.

    So, in April, feed the lawn and on a dry, still day, spray the weeds. Don't mow until the weeds visibly change colour and wilt. Then if you want, you can feed the lawn to drive it on.


  • #23
    blackbox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,450 ✭✭✭blackbox


    Doctors room ghost wrote: »
    A dog would probably find her and worry her or worse and sheep don’t like being on their own.a goat would do the job for you And they don’t mind being on their own

    This is absolutely not true. Goats only thrive when they have company. However the other company doesn't have to be goats - they are very happy with sheep or donkeys.


  • #24
    Thud
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,644 ✭✭✭Thud


    worker bee wrote: »

    Those are daisies. They aren't the worst weed at all - they grow low and provide coverage. They're not like ragwort or dandelions.

    a worker bee dissing dandelions...:confused:


  • #25
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    :D
    Very good - I must have developed 'champagne' tastes along the way.

    Plenty buddleia, clematis, raspberry flowers, tulips, hyacinths, cyclamen, primroses and other friendly flowers at my place for any visiting worker bees.


  • #26
    Tacklebox
    Registered Users Posts: 419 ✭✭Tacklebox


    I've chamomile and pile root in my lawn, basically I leveled it off, sowed a wild mixture of everything, and I've a small meadow.

    For the life of me I don't know where the pile root came from.

    Green lawns are so uncool, as bland as concrete.
    So 90's lol


  • #27
    wildlifeboy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭wildlifeboy


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    agree, lawns are overrated.

    i let everything and anything grow in mine. couldnt be arsed.


  • #28
    runawaybishop
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,510 ✭✭✭runawaybishop


    djd80 wrote: »
    Last year on the recommendation of the landscaper who sowed the grass I spread lime on it and he said keep cutting regularly and the grass will overpower it but it didn't happen.

    How short are you cutting it? You need to keep the grass at 2.5-3 inches or it won't smother anything out. For new lawns it's cut long, cut often.


  • #29
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    I'm not totally opposed to green lawns/ patches of grass. Grass regenerates quickly and well which is handy if you have children/animals scuffing it up.

    And weeds such as dandelion don't offer the same low ground cover as grass. It's much easier for an infirm person to walk across a flat lawn than a wildflower meadow or plot overrun with dandelions.

    I'm definitely not a fan of wall to wall grass which is boring and hard to maintain. But grass can be an extension to the indoors so you can pop children outside to play on it. But I do prefer plenty raised beds, bushes, shrubs, trees and climbers around the edge - or through the middle - of that grass.


  • #30
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,797 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Tacklebox wrote: »
    I've chamomile and pile root in my lawn, basically I leveled it off, sowed a wild mixture of everything, and I've a small meadow.

    For the life of me I don't know where the pile root came from.

    Green lawns are so uncool, as bland as concrete.
    So 90's lol

    Never heard of pile root- does it have other names?


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  • #31
    Say my name
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,776 ✭✭✭✭Say my name


    djd80 wrote: »
    Hi All


    I have a relatively common question but I wanted some help from the more knowledgeable folk on this forum.


    I have garden which was laid about 18 months ago.



    All is fine in general but there are a couple of areas which are starting to become overgrown by the weeds in the picture.


    Last year on the recommendation of the landscaper who sowed the grass I spread lime on it and he said keep cutting regularly and the grass will overpower it but it didn't happen.


    Can anyone identify what the weed is and how I can kill it and go about restoring my grass...


    Thanks a lot
    They're daisies.

    Human urine from the male sex will kill them and bring your grass on.

    You can thank me later. :D:D


  • #32
    GrumpyMe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭GrumpyMe


    Say my name wrote: »
    ...Human urine from the male sex will kill them and bring your grass on.
    You can thank me later. :D:D


    Have a look at the size of the garden again!


    Not sure either the OP, or the neighbours, will be thanking you later! :p


  • #33
    Say my name
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,776 ✭✭✭✭Say my name


    GrumpyMe wrote: »
    Have a look at the size of the garden again!


    Not sure either the OP, or the neighbours, will be thanking you later! :p

    Have a barbeque, get the neighbours involved too. ;)

    It does work though..and all natural. :p


  • #34
    New Home
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 77,028 Mod ✭✭✭✭New Home


    When I read this thread first and then come across this, I start wondering... :pac:


  • #35
    fryup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,067 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    worker bee wrote: »

    And they are wildflowers so they have a value as that.

    exactly, bees need them ....don't kill the daises


  • #36
    GrumpyMe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭GrumpyMe


    Say my name wrote: »
    Have a barbeque, get the neighbours involved too. ;)

    It does work though..and all natural. :p


    A Spring piss up! Woo hoo!


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  • #37
    macraignil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭macraignil


    fryup wrote: »
    exactly, bees need them ....don't kill the daises


    Found this one in my garden's lawn area few weeks back and did dig it out and moved it to a bare spot in one of the flower beds so as to keep it alive and not let it get cut by the lawn mower. Not sure if it will continue to produce extra sized daisy flowers but it will be interesting to see how it develops. Not sure how the bees will feel about a daisy like that but have plenty of normal ones growing as well in case they don't like it.


  • #38
    worker bee
    Registered Users Posts: 97 ✭✭worker bee


    Fasciation.

    Lots of (not really) explanations - more like theories - bacteria, hormonal imbalance, viral infection, random, fungi, mites, infections, cold, frost, inherited -

    https://www.google.com/search?q=fasciation+daisies&rlz=1C1GCEU_enIE820IE820&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjlt9uryZPhAhXZSxUIHcn-A8IQ_AUIDigB&biw=1680&bih=907


  • #39
    macraignil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,483 ✭✭✭macraignil


    worker bee wrote: »
    Fasciation.

    Lots of (not really) explanations - more like theories - bacteria, hormonal imbalance, viral infection, random, fungi, mites, infections, cold, frost, inherited -

    https://www.google.com/search?q=fasciation+daisies&rlz=1C1GCEU_enIE820IE820&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjlt9uryZPhAhXZSxUIHcn-A8IQ_AUIDigB&biw=1680&bih=907


    Thanks for that link. Did not realise there was a name for it. I've seen it with dandelions before but this is the first time I've been able to isolate the plant and so mark it out for further observation. Just checked it earlier and there are more normal flowers after being produced so might just be a once off thing on that plant. All the more recently produced flowers are just like standard daisy flowers.


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