Question
I live on Long Island and my lawn was pretty good till about 3 weeks ago, it started out as small areas that appeared to be crabgrass.Within 1 weeks time a section of my front yard was totally taken over by this very wide,thick, light green colored(almost neon looking) weed. It is so thick it is extremely hard to mow and it grows so fast we have to mow every 2 days.The rest of my front and backyard are starting to be overtaken by this weed, and I also noticed about 70% of the lawns in my neighborhood are becoming infested with the same thing.Any idea what it may be? It is very upsetting, we bought our home 2 years ago and spent a lot of money bringing in top soil and reseeding the whole property which was very neglected. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
You have a first rate five star grade A Weed, neighbor.  Take one, let it grow to blooming size and see what the seedhead looks like before you toss it in the garbage -- DO NOT COMPOST! Get those Seeds to a landfill.  Then check this diy Weed I.D. link at the Virginia Tech website:

www.ppws.vt.edu/weedindex.htm

I do have a few thoughts, but without standing there in your yard, they would only be guesses.  You can also check these other two diy Weed i.d. websites:

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/weeds/thumbnail.asp

http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/iac/e1363/e1363.htm

Let me know what you find, and we'll discuss ways to put them in your past.

Meantime, I want to point out two things.

One, Top Soil can be anything the seller wants it to be.  Even when they claim it has NO Weed Seeds, it almost always does.  MILLIONS of them.  Instead, amend your Soil.  You have just what you need to grow incredible Grass.

Two, no Lawn should cost you a lot of money.  There are people all over who will take it off your hands, your money, but you do not need them.  You need information.  Don't spend any more money on your Lawn.  It is a waste at best, and at worst, it could be destroying your soil and your Grass (e.g., 'topsoil').

Three, remember that a lot of these Weeds are ANNUALS.  Beautiful, no?   Here today, gone tomorrow.

Four, MOW like your life depended on it.  The last thing you need is those Weeds to multiply.  You think you have a problem now?  Wait 'til they plant themselves 100,000 times each.

Finally, head over to Hicks Nursery on Jericho Turnpike and pick up their Cornmeal Gluten.  It's important to have a few bags of this stuff in the garage for next spring when you have it applied.  It will keep Weed seeds from germinating.

No use crying over spilt milk, my friend.  But I'm telling you, when this is over, your Grass is going to be even prettier than it was last month.  Feel free to pull up by the roots any of this ugly plant you like, and compost.  But it would be best if you let one flower just long enough to figure out what it is, and then get rid of it.  Write and let me know.  I'll be watching.  Thanks for asking.  Very nice to meet you.