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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Good morning, Diana in Wisconsin and all!

This isn't my lawn, but I sympathize with the meme's caption:

My townhome neighbors and I have been struggling with Japanese stiltgrass all over our backyards.

We all back up to a large forest. This highly invasive Asian weed has been taking over forest floors all over our area of Maryland. It is not eaten by deer, who eat almost everything else we plant, so it is particularly invasive.

It can grow to three feet tall and because of its broad leaves, it quickly takes over lawns, hogging the sunlight and throwing shade on the grass. It sends out trailing roots underground, and also can be blown or tracked onto lawns. It produces prolific seeds in August that may stay in the ground year after year, even after you have mowed, sprayed or plucked the plants on the surface.

It is thought to have arrived in packing material from Asian imports, such as from China. The only solution we have found so far is to spray with the expensive but effective weedicide Acclaim X, which spares the lawn. But we have also had to spray large patches with Roundup and reseed.

I have reseeded many large areas over and over. Ideally the spraying should be done in pre-emergently by late February or the stiltgrass starts to take over just when it's too rainy to spray effectively during the rest of spring—and just try to hit the right temperature day in February when the lawn isn't frozen. Total pain in the butt. Just when one or two neighbors get it under control, another one will not be able to get out there in February, or can't afford the spray and all the rest of the equipment, and wham! It's back again.

Best advice is from your state extension service. We also tried the weedicide Tenacity, which is also costly but is used by golf courses, so it is effective in general, but doesn't knock out the stiltgrass. Acclaim X is the only one we've found whose label actually claims it is effective against Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum).

650 posted on 06/28/2025 8:03:54 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Think about it: The Supreme Court is nine lawyers appointed for life by politicians. —David Horowitz)
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To: Albion Wilde

This is good information. I’ll be on the lookout. Thanks for the tips!


655 posted on 06/28/2025 9:11:44 AM PDT by FamiliarFace (I got my own way of livin' But everything gets done With a southern accent Where I come from. TPetty)
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To: Albion Wilde

I was able to mow on Friday - so I won! But, parts were a little slick with all of our rain, so it took me an extra 30 minutes. Safety first!

There’s one spot where it’s very easy to slide UNDER the back deck - I’m gotten stuck there before but the neighbor pulled me out. ;)


658 posted on 06/28/2025 9:22:00 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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