However, be sure to drop the blade back down the following February to start the process over. Buffalograss: 3 to 4 inches. Not only will the buffalograss do better at that height, but that tall height will also discourage growth of bermuda, its most serious invader. Fescue: 3 to 4 inches. This is a clumping cool-season grass that needs the extra blade area to hold its own against shade and summer temperatures.
A second application is needed approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the initial application to give season long control of annual grassy and broadleaf weeds. Apply a post-emergent herbicide as needed to control existing winter grassy and broadleaf weeds.
In general, do not apply post-emergent herbicides during the spring green up of the turf. If a weed problem begins and the grass has begun to green with warmer temperatures, wait until the grass has fully greened before applying a post-emergent herbicide. In the meantime, mow and bag the weeds. Bermudagrass is sensitive to certain herbicides, such as 2,4-D, not only during spring green up, but during hot summer temperatures. Follow label directions for use of any herbicide and use with caution during these times.
Insect Control: Cold winter temperatures will usually keep insect problems in bermudagrass at bay. As temperatures start to warm in late spring, monitor for mole cricket activity. If mole cricket activity is observed, apply a lawn insecticide if damage is excessive. If the damage is minimal, wait before applying an insecticide. This is not the best time to apply an insecticide for insect control because of cool soil temperatures and reduced insect activity.
However, an early warm-up can lead to significant mole cricket activity. Heavy populations can be reduced through appropriately timed insecticide treatments during this period. If grubs the white larvae of beetles, such as Japanese beetles have been a problem in previous years, monitor the grubs by cutting a square foot piece of sod on three sides and peel it back. If more than six grubs are found under the sod piece, apply a lawn insecticide labelled for grub control according to label directions.
Fertilization: Fertilization of bermudagrass should be based on soil test results, and this is a good time to test soil. However, fertilizers containing nitrogen should not be applied during this period unless the lawn is located along the coast and no frost is predicted. If new turfgrass growth is encouraged by fertilization during the early spring, and this is followed by a late frost, the result can be significant damage to the lawn.
Irrigation: During dormancy, water the lawn to prevent excessive dehydration. Winter desiccation can be a problem during dry winters. Watering to prevent drought stress can help eliminate turf loss during winter. Most areas of South Carolina receive enough rainfall during the winter to avoid winter desiccation of lawns.
However, this is not always the case. Monitor the winter rainfall on a regular basis and apply water to the turf if no measurable rain occurs over a 3 to 4 week period.
The added moisture in the soil will help keep the growing points of the turf warmer, preventing crown death. To manage a lawn, it is important to know the soil texture in the top foot of soil. Sandy soils do not hold moisture well since they drain freely and dry out faster. Clay soils, however, will hold moisture for a longer period. Do not allow the lawn to stay excessively wet if the lawn has a clay soil.
If the soil stays saturated all winter, this can cause many other problems. A soil probe can be used to monitor the soil moisture. Mowing: The ideal mowing height for bermudagrass is from 1 to 2 inches depending on the specific site and management regime and is best determined by the conditions in the lawn.
This is the measured distance from the mower blade to a hard surface and can easily be determined by using a small ruler. Mowing heights below 1 inch will require a reel type mower to achieve satisfactory results. Over the next several mowings, gradually reduce the mowing height in as small an increment as possible. Monitor the lawn after each mowing. Once a height where the grass does not look good anymore, it looks too thin or scalped, raise the mowing height back to the previous setting.
However, cultivars of bermudagrass that are adapted to acceptable growth in partial shade may be best cut at a 2-inch height. During periods of environmental stress due to high temperatures or a lack of rainfall, raise the mowing height until the stress is eliminated. Always mow with a sharp mower blade using a mulching type mower, which leaves the clippings to decompose on the turf. The mower blade needs to be sharpened on a regular basis — usually about once a month or at least before the growing season starts.
If the bag is picking up soil, especially sand, when the lawn is mowed, then the blade may need to be sharpened more often than once a month. Fertilization: Always fertilize and add lime or sulfur based on a soil test. Bermudagrass will grow best at a pH of 6 to 6.
If a soil test shows a higher pH, sulfur can be applied to lower it. Apply 5 lbs of pelletized sulfur per square feet of turf. Scalping is mowing the grass so low that you cut the shoots off at the growing point or crown.
The taller the grass shoots, the higher the growing point. Older, less dense common bermudagrass varieties are less prone to scalping when raising their cutting height during the summer. Modern, dense hybrid bermudagrasses perform best if not mowed at heights above 1. Popular bermudagrass varieties for Oklahoma lawns include: the newer vegetative hybrids Tahoma 31, TifTuf, Latitude 36, Northbridge and Iron Cutter; the improved seeded types Monaco, Riviera and Yukon; the old reliable vegetative hybrids Tifway and Astro; and U-3 common bermudagrass.
OSU Extension fact sheets are excellent resources to learn more about specific bermudagrass varieties suitable for Oklahoma and the region. Both these Pennington Smart Seed mixes contain a temporary, cool-season companion grass that provides stability and early color, then fades away as summer arrives.
Plus, Pennington's fertilizer-enhanced seed coat technology speeds establishment and promotes greener grass compared to ordinary Bermudagrasses.
When you're on a quest for the perfect lawn, you're bound to encounter challenges. Water conservation and a healthy, beautiful lawn aren't mutually exclusive. You can do your part to manage water usage, and keep your lawn. Bermudagrass At a Glance. Warm-season grass. Requires full sun and good drainage. Suitable for southern lawns from coast to coast. Tolerant of heat, drought, traffic and salt. High maintenance and nutrient requirements.
Bermudagrass Basics. Other Bermudagrass Considerations. Bermudagrass Lawn Care Calendar. With warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass, month-by-month lawn care occurs on a different timetable than grasses grown in the north. This grass flourishes in summer heat and grows most vigorously in hot summer months. By timing lawn care tasks to complement its seasonal cycles, you can help your Bermudagrass lawn look and perform its best.
The farther south you live, the earlier weed seeds and Bermudagrass awaken and begin to grow. Weather conditions can vary significantly from year to year, so look to your grass for the final word. If you're unsure about typical frost cycles for your area, contact your local county extension office for help. Then follow this lawn care calendar for a lush Bermudagrass lawn.
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