BERMUDA AND OTHER WARM SEASON GRASSES

By Shirley Miller

Master Gardener

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Warm season grasses are those grasses that are planted in late spring and make their best growth during summer and fall.

Bermuda grass is by far the most popular warm season grass in this area. Bermuda is an aggressive grass that spreads by runners. Of the many different varieties that can be found in our area, only one, common Bermuda can be seeded. All the rest have to be propagated by plugs, sprigs or by laying sod. Other types of Bermuda: Tifway, Tifgreen, Tiffine, Tifdwarf, Sunturf and U-3.

Bermuda grasses require full sunlight. No variety will grow well in shade. Even partial shade will greatly retard growth. Bermuda grass spreads by both underground runners (rhizomes) and above ground runners (stolons). Growth is aggressive. Runners will usually cover a barren lawn area in a matter of a few months.

As a result of aggressive growth, Bermuda grass requires high maintenance. Frequent mowing at the proper height is required for a healthy lawn. Do not remove more than 1/3 grass height at one time. Before green up, cut to 1 inch to remove dead grass. In spring, mow to 1 1/2 inches, summer 2 inches and fall at 2 1/2 inches.

Fertilize using 1 pound actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet for each fertilization. Use a complete N-P-K fertilizer in a 3-1-2 ratio (21-7-14, 24-8-16) for application in mid May and September. Use nitrogen only fertilizer (33-0-0) in July .

Apply 1 inch of water per week during spring and fall if rainfall is not adequate. Water 2 inches in very hot weather. Avoid wilting. It is better to apply two 1 inch applications per week. Watering deeply and less often is preferable to a little water every day. Pre-emergent herbicide applied in spring (April-May) and again in early fall (August- September) controls grassy weeds. Do not apply pre-emergence herbicides in areas that are going to be renovated. Post-emergence herbicides (2-4-D) applied in fall, late winter and late spring slow growth of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Glyphosate (Round-up or Kleen-up) can be used on dormant Bermuda.

Other types of warm season grasses to consider: Zoysia, Centipede. Master Gardeners will be happy to help with advice on turf care. Call 746-3701 Monday thru Friday, 9 to 4.

Cool season grasses are those grasses that are planted in the fall or very early spring months and make their best growth during the cool season.

Ideally, Fescue is planted in the early fall. Proper bed preparation is essential. Some prefer to add fertilizer when planting seeds. Use a complete fertilizer such as 10-20-10 worked into the soil. If seeded in the spring (late February and March), seedlings do not usually produce as pretty a turf as a fall seeding.

Fescue grows in an upright manner and consequently should be mowed higher than warm season grasses. In the fall and spring mowing height should be 2 to 2 1/2 inches. In Summer, 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Do not remove more than 1/3 of grass height at one time.

Fertilize cool season grasses in March, May, September and November. Use a complete fertilizer in 3-1-2 ratio (21-7-14; 24-8-16) for September and March applications. Use nitrogen fertilizer (33-0-0;45-0-0) only in late October or early November and May if needed. Remember, fertilizer needs to be watered in.

Apply 1 inch of water per week during Spring and Fall, if rainfall is not adequate. 2 inches per week is needed during summer. It is better to split into two 1 inch applications per week. It is always preferable to water deeply and less often than to water a little every day. Do not use pre-emerge if you are over seeding or seeding. Fall application of post-emergence herbicides for broadleaf weeds gives the best control. Use post-emergence in the spring only if needed. Do not use glyphosate (Round-up or Kleen- up, etc.). Keep leaves and other debris raked up from your Fescue turf.

Master Gardeners will be happy to help with advice on which post-emergence herbicide fits your needs. Call 746-3701 Monday through Friday, 9 to 4.