What is this crazy grass?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by erikab922, Aug 18, 2011.

  1. erikab922

    erikab922 Apprentice Gardener

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    We have a sparse-at-best lawn (we are renters so like to maintain but won't spend a fortune on upkeep!) and this year we have this patch of grass which has just come up out of nowhere - very lush, green and thick. When we mow the lawn, this patch of grass will start shooting up again by the next day.

    Does anyone have any idea what this is? We are stumped as to why it just showed up out of nowhere and just in this one little patch. Thank you!
     

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  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    Does your water meter keep turning with all your taps turned off?
     
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    • erikab922

      erikab922 Apprentice Gardener

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      Many thanks for your assistance with identification, it was very helpful.

      For anyone else who would like to help, I shall re-write my original post: woman in the throes of severe morning sickness who gets violently ill at the sound of running water, renting a house with a garden shared amongst three houses, none of which give a rat's patootie about the garden except for the poster of this message, seeks help with identification of a strange patch of grass which is growing in a previously-described 'sparse-at-best' lawn. Rains a lot here, rest of garden is thriving, despite my obvious best efforts at neglect.

      Many thanks to anyone who can help, the pic attached was cropped to decrease the size, the grass as a whole isn't in bad shape. I wish the whole lawn was made of this stuff, it would look a heck of a lot better. V strange how it wasn't there last year and has suddenly cropped up in this one patch (or is at least weird to me, the gardening dummy).
       
    • Silver surfer

      Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

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      Grasses are extremely difficult to id at the best of times.
      To get an accurate id you need an very good pic of the flowering stalk... then a person who is an expert to interprete the pic! (Not easy to get a pic when lawn grass is constantly cut to prevent it flowering.)
      Otherwise it is impossible. Sorry.

      http://www.offwell.free-online.co.uk/grass_id/index.htm

      http://www.google.co.uk/search?um=1...s_sm=s&gs_upl=0l0l0l7156l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0

      I think you have been rather harsh on Scrungee.
      It is a good question.
      A new leak from an underground water pipe could cause this patch to be much lusher than the surrounding area.

      Another possibility is fungus. A fairy ring. After the fruiting bodies have vanished the grass grows in a circle. Really lush and fast growing. This circle grows outwards year on year untill it outgrows a small lawn.
      Completely harmless and nothing to worry about.

      fairy circle in lawns - Google Search

      Fairy ring - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
       
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      • Rootball

        Rootball Gardener

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        Looks like other plants growing amongst the grass - would seem to suggest there is a source of moisture.

        Or maybe there's something buried there? :heehee:
         
      • Spruce

        Spruce Glad to be back .....

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        I like how the grass advert pops up at the start of this thread :heehee:


        Spruce
         
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        • barnaby

          barnaby Gardener

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          Have experienced similar 'goings on' in my lawn and attribute them to the possibility of animal interference - the potential source of nitrogen in animal urine could be a factor,otherwise an unusual batch of seed.
          I guess identification is only for grass experts - sorry cannot help any further 'erikab'.
           
        • Phil A

          Phil A Guest

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          I only do Identifications for members that show respect for other members:fingerdrum:
           
        • erikab922

          erikab922 Apprentice Gardener

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          Crikey I thought I was the one being disrespected in the first post, I do apologise if I took it the wrong way (which I am wont to do these day - emotions and hormones all over the place!)

          Thank you very much for all of your responses, looks like unless I get someone over to have a look at it then it may remain a mystery. The neighbour's cat treats it like her own person savanna and hides in it, so at the very least it provides some entertainment while doing the washing up.
           
        • Phil A

          Phil A Guest

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          I'm glad that misunderstanding is out of the way then Ericka.:)

          Scrungee was pointing out there could be an underground leak of fresh water or worse, that is causing that patch to grow better. I mow the lawn of a lady who had grassed over the old veg patch which had lots of fertiliser in it. You can see where the patch was from the vigourous growth.:parsnip:

          If you really want an ID then get a close up of the inflorescence, i'm sure one of us would get it from that:dbgrtmb:

          In the mean time a good dose of lawn fertiliser would help:thumbsup:
           
        • daitheplant

          daitheplant Total Gardener

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          Erica, I would say it is 1 of 3 things. A leaking pipe, cats or some buried object. Most likliest, is buried stones/masonry.:dbgrtmb:
           
        • Sheal

          Sheal Total Gardener

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          I buried my dog under my lawn when I lost her. That patch of grass is the strongest grower and greenest too. Fertiliser of course! :)
           
        • daitheplant

          daitheplant Total Gardener

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          Sheal. I am not being insensitive, but, how did you lose her, if you know where she`s buried:scratch::cry3:
           
        • erikab922

          erikab922 Apprentice Gardener

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          Scrungee, I'm sorry! I thought you were telling me to get my lazy backside out there and water the lawn. Lawn fertiliser it is, might try some of those aerating shoes as they look like good exercise.
           
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          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

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            Dai, what am I going to do with you! :heehee:

            My West Highland died of liver failure two Christmasses ago, she is now in her favourite place by the bird bath in the lawn. She used to chase the birds off and drink from it. :)
             
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