# That Thick, Fast-Growing Grass Taking Over Your Lawn? You're Not Alone. *If you've noticed thick, fast-growing grass blades that look different from the rest of your lawn this year, you're part of a nationwide problem that's been frustrating homeowners from coast to coast.* I've been getting calls all season from homeowners in Columbia, Franklin, and Spring Hill asking the same question: "What is this thick grass that's growing faster than everything else in my lawn?" If this sounds familiar, let me start with some good news and some bad news. The good news? You're not crazy, and you're definitely not alone. The bad news? You're dealing with what's likely quack grass or Johnson grass - two of the most stubborn lawn weeds known to mankind. ## The 2025 Seed Quality Problem Everyone's Talking About Here's what's been happening: homeowners nationwide have been reporting contamination issues with major brand seed mixes this year. Online lawn care communities are buzzing with frustrated customers who thought they were buying quality grass seed, only to end up with invasive grasses taking over their yards. While I won't point fingers at specific companies, I will say this: not all grass seed is created equal, and this year has been a stark reminder of why seed quality matters. ## What You're Probably Dealing With Based on what I'm seeing across Middle Tennessee, most of these problems fall into two categories: ### Quack Grass (The Stubborn One) - **What it looks like:** Thick, light green blades that grow much faster than your regular grass - **How to identify it:** Feels rougher to the touch, often has a slightly different color than your fescue - **Why it's a problem:** Spreads through underground rhizomes, making it nearly impossible to eliminate by pulling - **The real issue:** No selective herbicides will kill it without damaging your good grass ### Johnson Grass (The Aggressive One) - **What it looks like:** Tall, thick blades with purple-tinged stems at the base - **How to identify it:** Grows significantly taller than surrounding grass, roots come up relatively easily when pulled - **Why it's a problem:** Extremely aggressive growth that can quickly dominate an area - **The challenge:** Also spreads through rhizomes and is resistant to most selective treatments ## Why This Happens (And How to Avoid It Next Time) Grass seed contamination isn't new, but the scale of problems this year has been unusual. Here's what contributes to the issue: **Inadequate quality control** during seed processing and packaging **Mixed harvesting** where different grass types get combined **Storage contamination** where different seeds get mixed during transport **Rushed production** to meet high demand can compromise quality standards ## Your Options for Fighting Back Let me be straight with you: if you have a significant infestation of quack grass or Johnson grass, there's no magic spray that will make it disappear overnight. But you do have options, ranging from tedious to nuclear. ### Option 1: Hand Removal (For the Patient and Determined) This works if you have just a few problem areas and plenty of time. You'll need: - A good weeding tool (many swear by the "grandpa weeder" style tools) - Patience to get the entire root system - Commitment to check weekly for regrowth **Reality check:** If you have more than a few dozen problem spots, this approach will consume your entire summer. ### Option 2: Selective Spot Treatment (The Precision Approach) Since there are no selective herbicides that kill these grasses without harming your good grass, some folks get creative: - **Glyphosate painting:** Using a small brush to apply non-selective herbicide only to the problem grass - **Foam applicators:** Tools that let you apply herbicide precisely to individual blades - **Sponge-on-a-stick methods:** DIY tools for precise application **Reality check:** This is time-intensive but can work for moderate infestations. ### Option 3: Section Renovation (The Compromise Solution) Kill off the worst-affected areas completely and reseed: - Apply glyphosate to heavily infested sections - Wait 2 weeks, then reseed with quality seed - Much faster than spot-treating individual plants - Allows you to start fresh with better seed ### Option 4: Complete Lawn Renovation (The Nuclear Option) Sometimes it's just easier to start over: - Kill the entire lawn and reseed everything - Expensive but guarantees you're starting with clean, quality seed - Best option if contamination is widespread ## The Middle Tennessee Twist Our climate here in Middle Tennessee adds some complications to these options: **Timing matters more here.** Our hot, humid summers make lawn renovation challenging. Fall is really your best window for major seeding projects. **Fescue considerations.** Since most of us have tall fescue lawns, you need to be careful about herbicide damage to your good grass. Fescue is tougher than some grasses, but it's not invincible. **Soil compaction issues.** Many of our suburban soils are compacted, which can stress your good grass and make it easier for aggressive weeds to take over. ## Prevention: Choosing Better Seed Next Time After dealing with contamination problems this year, here's what to look for when buying seed: **Buy certified seed.** Look for blue tag or gold tag certification, which indicates higher quality standards. **Shop at specialty stores.** Farm supply stores and specialty seed dealers often carry higher-quality products than big box stores. **Read the label carefully.** The seed analysis tag tells you exactly what's in the bag, including any weed seed content. **Ask questions.** A reputable dealer should be able to tell you about the seed's origin and quality testing. ## When to Call in the Professionals Look, I get it. Nobody wants to admit they need help with their lawn. But there are times when professional intervention makes sense: **If you have widespread contamination** across more than 30% of your lawn **If you've tried DIY methods** and the problem keeps coming back **If timing is critical** and you need results before selling your home **If you want to prevent future problems** with a comprehensive lawn care program Professional lawn care companies have access to specialized equipment and products that aren't available to homeowners. More importantly, we deal with these problems regularly and know what works in Middle Tennessee's specific conditions. ## The Bottom Line Dealing with contaminated grass seed is frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. The key is identifying what you're dealing with early and choosing the right approach for your situation and timeline. If you're looking at just a few problem spots, hand removal or spot treatment might work. If you're dealing with a significant infestation, renovation might be your best bet. Most importantly, learn from this experience. Invest in quality seed from reputable sources, and consider working with professionals who understand Middle Tennessee's unique lawn care challenges. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Can I prevent this from spreading to my neighbor's yard?** Unfortunately, both quack grass and Johnson grass spread through underground rhizomes, so they don't respect property lines. The best prevention is early, aggressive treatment. **Will these grasses die out on their own?** No. Both are perennial grasses that will actually get stronger and more established over time. The problem will only get worse if left untreated. **Is there any safe way to kill these grasses without chemicals?** Hand removal is really the only non-chemical option, and it's only practical for small infestations. Smothering with tarps can work but takes months and kills everything underneath. **Should I try to overseed over the problem areas?** Generally, no. The aggressive growth of these weeds will outcompete new grass seedlings. You need to eliminate the weeds first, then reseed. ## Ready to Take Back Your Lawn? If you're dealing with a contaminated seed situation and want professional help developing a solution, that's exactly the kind of challenge we handle regularly at Mr. Lawn Care. We've helped dozens of Middle Tennessee homeowners solve similar problems this year, from selective removal to complete lawn renovation. Our team understands local conditions and can recommend the most effective approach for your specific situation. 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. Every year brings new challenges, but contaminated seed issues are definitely trending upward. Got questions about problem grasses in your lawn? Feel free to reach out.*