# How to Get Rid of Those Thick Green Grass Blades That Don't Belong in Your Lawn If you've walked out to your lawn recently and noticed thick, green grass blades that seem to grow twice as fast as everything else around them, you're dealing with one of the most frustrating lawn problems in Middle Tennessee: invasive grass species that have found their way into your otherwise beautiful fescue lawn. After helping homeowners across Columbia, Franklin, Spring Hill, and surrounding areas deal with this exact problem for over a decade, I can tell you that you're not alone - and there are solutions, though none of them are particularly easy. ## What You're Probably Looking At Those thick, fast-growing blades that stand out like a sore thumb? Most likely you're dealing with **quack grass** - a perennial weed grass that's become increasingly common in Middle Tennessee lawns, especially this year. Here's how to identify quack grass: - **Thicker blades** than your regular fescue - **Lighter green color** that contrasts with surrounding grass - **Grows much faster** - you'll notice it sticking up after mowing - **Rougher texture** when you run your hand across it - **Floppier appearance** - doesn't stand upright like healthy fescue ## Why This Problem Has Gotten Worse This Year I've seen a significant increase in quack grass problems across Middle Tennessee in 2025, and I'm not the only one. Homeowners nationwide are reporting similar issues, particularly those who used certain brand-name seed mixes this year. The problem often starts with **contaminated grass seed**. When you think you're buying quality fescue seed, you might unknowingly be introducing quack grass and other weeds into your lawn. Once it's there, it spreads rapidly through underground root systems called rhizomes. ## The Challenge: Why Quack Grass Is So Hard to Eliminate Here's the frustrating truth about quack grass: **there is no selective herbicide that will kill it without also damaging your good fescue grass**. This makes it fundamentally different from most other lawn weeds, which can be selectively eliminated with the right herbicide. Quack grass is also a perennial, meaning it comes back year after year and actually gets stronger over time. Unlike annual weeds that you can sometimes control with pre-emergent herbicides, quack grass laughs at pre-emergents because it's already established. ## Your Options: From Tedious to Nuclear Let me walk you through your realistic options, from least to most drastic: ### Option 1: Hand Removal (For Small Infestations) If you only have a few dozen problem spots, hand removal can work - but it requires dedication: **What you'll need:** - A good weeding tool (many professionals swear by the "grandpa weeder" style) - Time and patience to get the entire root system - Weekly follow-up to catch any regrowth **The reality:** This only works for very small infestations. If you have hundreds of problem spots, this approach will consume your entire summer. ### Option 2: Precision Herbicide Application Since we can't spray selectively, some homeowners get creative with precise application methods: **Glyphosate "painting":** - Use a small brush to apply non-selective herbicide only to problem blades - Requires steady hands and lots of time - Effective but extremely labor-intensive **Foam applicators or sponge tools:** - Special tools that let you apply herbicide to individual grass blades - Faster than brush painting but still time-consuming - Some folks make DIY versions with zip ties and sponges ### Option 3: Section Renovation For moderate to heavy infestations, killing off problem sections and reseeding often makes more sense: 1. **Identify the worst areas** - usually patches where quack grass dominates 2. **Apply glyphosate** to kill everything in those sections 3. **Wait 2-3 weeks** for complete kill 4. **Reseed with quality, certified fescue seed** This approach is faster than spot-treating individual plants and gives you a fresh start with better seed. ### Option 4: Complete Lawn Renovation (The Nuclear Option) Sometimes it's easier to start over entirely: - Kill the entire lawn with glyphosate - Wait for complete kill, then prepare soil and reseed - Expensive but guarantees you're starting clean - Best option if contamination is widespread (more than 30% of your lawn) ## Middle Tennessee Specific Considerations **Timing is everything here.** Our hot, humid summers make major lawn renovation challenging. **Fall is your best window** for any significant reseeding projects - both for germination rates and to avoid summer stress on new grass. **Choose your replacement seed carefully.** After dealing with a contamination problem, invest in certified seed from reputable dealers. Look for blue tag or gold tag certification, which indicates higher quality standards and testing. **Consider your soil.** Many Middle Tennessee lawns have compacted suburban soils that stress good grass and make it easier for aggressive weeds to take over. If you're doing major renovation, consider core aeration as part of the process. ## Prevention: How to Avoid This Problem Once you've solved your current quack grass problem, here's how to prevent it from happening again: **Buy quality seed from reputable sources:** - Shop at farm supply stores or specialty seed dealers - Avoid discount seed from big box stores - Always read the seed analysis tag - Ask about the seed's origin and testing **Maintain a healthy, thick lawn:** - Dense, healthy fescue is your best defense against weed invasion - Follow proper fertilization and watering practices - Keep your lawn thick enough to crowd out potential invaders ## When to Call Professionals There are definitely times when professional intervention makes sense: - **Widespread infestation** covering more than 25% of your lawn - **Time constraints** - you need results quickly - **Previous DIY attempts have failed** - **You want to prevent future problems** with a comprehensive lawn care program Professional lawn care companies have access to specialized equipment and commercial-grade products that aren't available to homeowners. More importantly, we deal with these problems regularly and know what works best in Middle Tennessee's specific conditions. ## The Bottom Line Quack grass is frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. The key is early identification and choosing the right approach for your specific situation. For small infestations, hand removal or precision herbicide application might work. For larger problems, section renovation or complete lawn renovation often provides better long-term results. Most importantly, learn from this experience. Invest in quality seed, maintain a healthy lawn, and don't hesitate to ask for professional help when the problem gets beyond what you can reasonably handle yourself. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Will quack grass eventually die out on its own?** No. Quack grass is a perennial that actually gets stronger and more established over time. The problem will only get worse if left untreated. **Can I just overseed over the problem areas?** Generally not recommended. Quack grass grows so aggressively that it will outcompete new seedlings. You need to eliminate the quack grass first, then reseed. **Is there really no selective herbicide that works?** There are some specialized products like Pylex, but they're extremely expensive (around $400 for a small bottle) and not labeled for homeowner use. Even these aren't 100% selective and can damage fescue. **How can I tell the difference between quack grass and crabgrass?** Crabgrass is an annual that dies with the first frost and has a more sprawling growth habit. Quack grass is perennial, stands more upright, and has thicker, more substantial blades. ## Ready to Reclaim Your Lawn? If you're dealing with a significant quack grass problem and want professional help developing a solution, that's exactly the kind of challenge we handle regularly at Mr. Lawn Care. We've helped countless Middle Tennessee homeowners solve similar problems, from selective removal for small infestations to complete lawn renovation for severe cases. Our team understands local conditions and can recommend the most effective approach for your specific situation and timeline. We serve homeowners throughout Columbia, Franklin, Spring Hill, Brentwood, and the surrounding areas. Give us a call at **(615) 490-4082** or email **aj@mrlawn.care** for a consultation. Sometimes the best solution is having professionals who've seen it all before take a look at your specific situation and develop a plan that actually works. --- *Been solving lawn problems in Middle Tennessee for over a decade. Quack grass infestations have definitely increased this year, but they're still very manageable with the right approach. Got questions about those thick grass blades in your lawn? Feel free to reach out.*