Meadow Grass

Annual Meadow Grass is the most commonly occurring grass in Britain and all lawns will succumb to some colonisation at some point in time. It can be varied in appearance ranging from coarse unsightly clumps rapidly colonising bare earth, to the fine leafed form that invades lawns and golf greens.

Although not seeded intentionally the seeds are readily introduced by the movement of the wind, machines, cars and birds. It is most commonly seen during the spring and early summer. There is a vast quantity of this seed ever present in our gardens; it’s just a question of when it germinates!

There are two considerations. Live with it or treat it!

• There is NO chemical treatment to remove meadow grass without destroying the surrounding lawn.
• Mowing too short encourages unwanted seeds to reach the soil and germinate. We suggest a minimum 1.5 inch cut height (slightly longer in hot and dry conditions).
• Manual removal by hand weeding with the immediate sowing of the gaps with cultivated seed is the most effective of all.
• Meadow grass does not like its’ roots cut and being frequently mown. One technique which has been recommended for many years by leading gardeners is to slash the affected area with a sharp blade or edging iron in a “grid” pattern prior to mowing and then afterwards apply grass seed to the area. This combined attack will control and hopefully force out the problem.
• Good lawn care for the lawn as a whole will ensure the meadow grass that remains will soon be absorbed into it.
• Regular light scarifying and correct mowing – always with a grass box and sharp blade – will deter its establishment.