Poa Annua: The Light Green Grass in Dormant Bermuda
Bright Green Patches in a Lawn That Should Be Brown
Bermuda goes dormant and turns straw brown for the winter. Annual bluegrass, poa annua, does the opposite. It germinates in autumn as the soil cools and grows all winter, so it stands out as bright green clumps in a tan lawn from roughly November through April.
It almost looks like a favor at first, a bit of green in a dead-looking yard. The problem arrives in spring. Poa dies off in the first real heat, right as your bermuda is trying to green up, and it leaves thin bare patches exactly where it was thickest.
Each plant also sets a large amount of seed before it dies, which is why an untreated patch is bigger every year.
We Treat Poa Annua. Autumn pre-emergent is what keeps it out. Get on the schedule before soil temperatures drop.
How to Identify It
It is easiest to spot in the dead of winter, which is also the point at which you can no longer prevent that season’s crop.
Green When Bermuda Is Brown
The single clearest sign. Anything actively growing and bright green in a dormant bermuda lawn in January is worth a closer look.
Boat-Shaped Leaf Tips
The tip of the blade curves up like the prow of a boat. A reliable identifier once you know to look for it.
Whitish Seed Heads, Low Down
It produces small pale seed heads even when cut short, which is how it keeps seeding straight through a mowing schedule.
Soft, Fine and Tufted
Finer and softer than bermuda, growing in small dense tufts rather than spreading by runners.
Worst in Shade and Damp Areas
Thin turf, shaded ground and areas that stay wet are where it takes hold first.
Stopped in Autumn, Not Winter
Control is a pre-emergent applied as soil temperatures fall in early autumn. Once you can see it, prevention for that season has passed.
Why Choose Lawn Jox?
Free Service Calls
Our job is to make sure your lawn is beautiful all season long. If you think there is something wrong with your lawn, call us. The inspection is free.
Right Size Equipment
Lawn Jox started with push mowers and we still have them. We use the right sized equipment for the right job, optimizing our time and lowering your cost.
Professional, Uniformed Crews
Just like your lawn, we have standards with our appearance as well. All of our lawn care technicians are uniformed and professional.
Fully Licensed & Insured
As a fully licensed & insured lawn care company in the state of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas, we make sure your assets are protected while on your property.
Electronic Quotes & Invoicing
We save on paper and make it easy to pay. With our electronic system, you’ll receive quotes and invoices on your devices so you can accept bids and pay invoices all online.
No Bad Surprises
Our mowing crews always visit your property on the same day of the week. For fertilization and weed control we’ll let you know when we are coming a day in advance.
What Fixes It
Fertilization & Weed Control
Autumn pre-emergent timing is what keeps poa out. It is built into the spray program schedule.
Core Aeration
Thin, compacted turf is where poa establishes. Aeration and a thicker stand are the durable fix.
Lawn Disease Control
Damp, shaded areas that grow poa are the same areas that grow fungus. Worth looking at both together.