then i went mod crazy i download a butt load of mods
Well that's just a bad idea. Always download one mod at a time, and be sure it's working correctly before you download more.
I had to deactivate mine, but the grass remained just no barriers. :shrug:
That's how they work. You're not supposed 'ot activate the ESPs, MGE takes care of the grass when you create distant land.
The grass has collision only when the ESPs are activated.