Grassy Weed in St. Augustine: Live With It or Start Over

TruGreen says a grassy weed in your Austin St. Augustine is "too closely related" for selective control. You've pulled/sprayed for 3 weekends. Decision time.

The Weed Definition

A weed is simply an unwanted plant. If this grassy intruder isn't ugly and neighbors aren't complaining, consider acceptance. Mixed turf often performs better than monoculture—disease resistance, traffic tolerance, seasonal coverage.

If Removal Is Non-Negotiable

No selective herbicide exists for grassy weeds in St. Augustine. Options:

1. Spot glyphosate: Paint/shield-spray individual plants. Labor-intensive, risks St. Augustine damage.
2. Total renovation: Kill all, re-sod. Only guaranteed solution.
3. Manage, don't eradicate: Mow high (4"), water deep, fertilize organically—St. Augustine may outcompete it.

Identification First

Did TruGreen name the weed? Common St. Augustine invaders:

• Bermudagrass (wire-stemmed, aggressive)
• Dallisgrass (clumping, tall seedheads)
• Crabgrass (summer annual)
• Tropical signalgrass (similar habit)

Photo to local extension or TheLawnCoach@aol.com for ID. But honestly: if it's green, mows well, and handles traffic—why fight it? Perfect monoculture is an ecological myth.