Bermuda grass ( VARIETY YUMA )
Used on the most exclusive golf
greens worldwide. This grass is a perennial sod former, dark green, drought
resistant, low growing, fast repairing, full sun, has fair salt tolerance, can be
mown closely, forms a dense turf, goes into dormancy when temperatures drop below 60
degrees and greens up fast when temperatures rise. Once only grown from sod or sprigged it
is now available as seed in both common and improved varieties. Bermuda spreads by
rhizomes and stolons and is a highly diversified grass.
Lawns planted in Bermudagrass can
attain full lawn coverage in one year. It is not uncommon for seeded Bermuda lawns
to be established within 60-90 days. This grass is one of the few warm season
coverage that will grow a little further north in colder climates. It will turn brown at
the first dip in temperature though. In the more warmer tropical south, during
average rainfall years, Bermuda will retain a beautiful green color all year round.
Can be grown on low to
high maintenance schedules depending upon the usage.
Known as one of the most persistent and
aggressive grasses grown it is very hard to kill after establishment. Germinates quickly
from seed, covers quickly and grows in a variety of soils. With a fair degree salt spray
tolerance, Bermuda is used on the coastal islands. One of the best qualities of this
grass is the degree of growth that can be achieved through good management practices. This
is highly desirable on golf courses and athletic fields where heavy traffic damages occur
daily.
On golf courses
Bermuda grass is the number one choice for tee and putting areas. The sodded varieties are
still the finest in texture and density. and are used even for greens. To grow these
hybrids at lower heights requires an extraordinary maintenance schedule. Expertise
is required to control disease and insects Managers must also be knowledgeable concerning
frequent fertilization schedules, over-seeding management techniques, utilization of
intense mowing schedules for shorter mowing heights than most lawns, plus accurate
irrigation and drying procedures.
Bermuda Grass
Centipede Grass St. Augustine Grass
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- Good drought and wear resistance
- Spreads vigorously; runners can
present a problem in planting beds
- Low shade tolerance
- Fast growing
- Cheaper than hybrid bermudas but not
nearly as nice
- Ideal pH 6.5 to 7.0
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| Area Suitable for Common Bermuda |
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TYPE |
Warm season |
When to Fertilize |
Spring, Summer, and Fall |
LIGHT |
Full sun |
Mowing Height |
1 to 2 inches |
| 1 |
1 |
Planting Method |
Seed |
COMMON BERMUDA IN
THE LANDSCAPE
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| Common bermuda is both naughty
and nice. It aggressively invades flower and shrub beds and produces a huge,
uncontrollable crop of seeds. On the plus side, common bermuda will persist for decades
with little care, and it is a prime candidate for overseeding with perennial ryegrass if
you want a "wintergreen" lawn. It can take heavy wear better than most other
grasses. Common bermuda is green from late spring until frost and is light brown when it
is dormant in winter. A tough grass, it is commonly mixed with bahia for roadside and
other utility plantings in the Deep South. |
Easy
to grow, common bermuda is quick to fill out and forms a deep green lawn. |
| Common bermuda needs full sun
to form a tight turf. Shade makes it thin and weedy. |
| A common bermuda lawn will
survive periodic droughts. Water only when dry spells last longer than two weeks. |
| Common bermuda responds
dramatically to being properly fed. Fertilize it right and your common bermuda will
"knit" itself into a strong turf that naturally resists weeds. |
BEAUTIFUL COMMON
BERMUDA, SEASON BY SEASON
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| You can have a
beautiful common bermuda lawn by following an easy Step-by-Step Program. Together with
proper mowing and watering, these measures will help common bermuda grow strong and
healthy. |
|
Common bermuda
spreads by above-ground stems called stolons and spreading roots called rhizomes. Because
it is such a fast spreader, you will need to be vigilant in keeping it out of flower or
shrub borders. Wayward common bermuda is easiest to dig out in winter, when it is dormant. |
SEASONAL STEP-BY-STEP
PROGRAM
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| To get weed problems under
control, follow the Step-by-Step Program shaded in yellow. If your lawn is already
in good condition, follow the Step-by-Step Program shaded in green. You can start either
program during any season, but the key is to complete a full year. After a year you
will see marked improvements in your lawn. When applying any lawn care products,
always read the entire label first and follow directions. Be especially careful
with weed killers and use only products labeled for use on bermuda. |
Restoring Common Bermuda
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|
Maintaining Common Bermuda
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Step 1: Apply in
late winter
- Crabgrass Preventer (without fertilizer)
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|
Step 1: Apply in
late winter or early spring
- Lime (only if needed to raise pH)
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| Step 2: Apply in
early spring
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Step 2: Apply in
late spring or early summer
- Lawn Fertilizer
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 3: Apply in
late spring
- Lawn Fertilizer
- Insect Control, if needed
|
|
Step 3: Apply in
late summer or early fall
- Winterizer or Winter Conditioner
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 3: Apply in
late summer
- Winterizer or Winter Conditioner
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 4: Apply in
fall
- Lime (only if needed to raise pH)
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| PRODUCT |
DESCRIPTION |
| Crabgrass Preventer |
Keeps crabgrass seeds and
other grassy weeds from germinating. Crabgrass Preventer with Dimension® keeps on killing
crabgrass up to 4 weeks after it sprouts. Dimension® also prevents the sprouting of
many broadleaf weeds, such as spurge, chickweed, and henbit. |
| Lawn Weed and Feed |
Kills broadleaf weeds
that are actively growing. For best results apply it when weeds are still young and
vigorously growing. Don’t wait. Mowing a couple of days before applying will help
stimulate new growth of older weeds. |
| Lawn Fertilizer |
Should contain a
combination of fast-release nitrogen to green the lawn quickly and timed-release nitrogen
to feed grass for up to 2 or 3 months. |
| Lime |
Raises the pH of
soil that is too acidic. Easy Lime® is an easy-to-use, granular lime that is not as dusty
as ordinary lime. |
| Winterizer, or Winter
Conditioner |
Contains timed-release
nitrogen and extra potassium to help lawns endure winter stress and green up quickly in
spring. |
| Insect Control |
Is important for the control of
white grubs, fleas, cutworms, and other major lawn pests. If these have been a problem in
your lawn, apply Insect Control early, while the pests are still young. You can also apply
Insect Control Plus Fertilizer to combine feeding and control in one easy application. |
TIPS FOR
BETTER COMMON BERMUDA
|
- Always use a fertilizer spreader to
spread lawn care products evenly. If you apply weed and feed use a drop-type spreader at
the edge of flower and shrub beds for accurate application. A broadcast spreader can throw
weed killer into the planting where it may cause damage.
- Limit wear of the lawn in winter when it
is dormant. Worn spots become prime places for weeds.
|
- Never mow too close when bermuda is not
actively growing or you can invite problems with weeds. If the lawn is stressed by
drought, mow less often and raise the mowing height to 2 inches.
- If more than a 1/2-inch layer of thatch
is present (thatch is dead stems and debris that accumulate at the soil's surface), thin
and clean your bermuda with a power rake in spring or early summer after new growth
begins. You can have this done professionally or do it yourself with rented equipment.
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OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Working with Common
Bermuda
Because common bermuda's aggressive reputation is so well known, few people plant it as a
lawngrass. More often you just have it because it is what covers the ground for miles in
every direction. With the imminent threat of new seeds coming into your lawn from
surrounding areas, it may be futile to try to get rid of a common bermuda lawn. Some grass
killers and nonselective herbicides will kill back common bermuda for a season, but
underground rhizomes usually survive and the grass comes back within a year or two.
Products labeled for bermuda control are intended for use in ornamental beds and
groundcovers rather than in lawns. So, instead of trying to get rid of your bermuda, look
for opportunities to make the most of your situation.Because common bermuda has long stems that leave small
spaces between crowns, it is an ideal grass to overseed with perennial ryegrass in the
fall. Handled this way, a common bermuda lawn can look very good through the winter
months. Start this project in early fall. Begin by mowing the bermuda very close to the
ground. This "scalping" would damage a more refined turfgrass, but not common
bermuda. Rake off all debris, working your rake vigorously to expose the soil's surface.
Then sow perennial ryegrass seed. If you like to mow, you can use annual ryegrass for this
purpose. In warm climates, the ryegrass will die back soon after the bermuda begins
growing again in late spring. |
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