How to Keep Bermuda Grass Out of Your Fescue (2024)
— Written By Scott Welborn and last updated by Kerry Jones
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If you have a Fescue lawn then you probably hate common Bermuda grass. The very thing that makes Bermuda a favorite grass for some people–its vigorous growth and hardiness–is exactly the reason why it can be such a frustration for those with Fescue. In fact, it can outright kill your Fescue lawn if it’s not beaten back.
In the past, all we could do was dig Bermuda grass out or spray it with a non-selective herbicide and risk killing everything near it. Now, we are lucky to have another option. There is a targeted herbicide, called Ornamec, that will allow you to kill Bermuda grass in a Fescue lawn. The active ingredient is known as “Fluazifop.”
According to the label, to kill Bermuda grass in a Fescue lawn, use .5 ounces of Ornamec plus 2 teaspoons of a non-ionic surfactant to one gallon of water to treat 1000 square feet of lawn space. The first application should be made in the spring, when the Bermuda grass is breaking dormancy, and then again in Sept/Oct. when the Bermuda grass is preparing for dormancy. NOTE: applications during the hot seasons should be avoided! Even when applied at the proper times, your Fescue lawn may initially show some discoloration or stress. Don’t worry– it should recover within 10-14 days.
Ornamec is also labeled for use over the top of many ornamental flowers, trees and shrubs, but refer to the label before applying to determine if it is registered for what you want to spray over. If you are a Fescue lover, though, Ornamec may be your new best friend. You have to love modern science. Happy Spraying!
Note: The use of brand names in this article does not imply endorsem*nt by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of the products and services named nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.
From what I have gathered, there are three good ways to kill this grass: smother it, solarize it, or use a strong selective herbicide. It would be easy to solarize in the hot California sun. To do this, mow the area low and then simply cover it with an impermeable layer of thick clear plastic.
So the long-term solution boils down to this: make the fescue happy, and you will drive out the Bermuda grass. As the fescue shoots become healthier and thicker, they will choke out the Bermuda grass from vital resources like light and water.
Consider using a herbicide or weed killer to get a handle on the Bermudagrass. The non-selective herbicide is sold as Round Up or Ornamec, among other brands. Selective herbicides act specifically as weed control for Bermudagrass without killing other grass.
Black polyethylene mulch is effective, though. Control Bermuda grass by covering it with black plastic, which will prevent sunlight from reaching the plant. To do so, irrigate and mow the grass, and place plastic over the grass, leaving it in place for at least six weeks during the hottest summer months.
Fusillade kills a lot of weedy grasses and plants in your lawn and landscape, but it won't harm fescue or Zyosia grasses. So, it is a great choice for removing Bermuda that has embedded itself behind enemy lines without harming the grass you want to keep.
The grass of choice for overseeding was Annual Ryegrass in years past. However, the current choice is Perennial Ryegrass. Dormant bermudagrass can easily revive after a winter of fertilization, irrigation, and other maintenance requirements needed to maintain the ryegrass.
If you have a zoysia lawn, selective herbicides that contain the active ingredients fenoxaprop or fluazifop will treat the bermudagrass and centipede without damaging your lawn if it is applied properly.
Bermuda may be more of a hassle, if you have the time, money, and passion for a spectacular lawn, it's for you. There are also hybrids of Bermuda that make that luscious green more attainable. Fescue is much easier to deal with and requires average maintenance like any other lawn.
The active ingredient is known as “Fluazifop.” According to the label, to kill Bermuda grass in a Fescue lawn, use .5 ounces of Ornamec plus 2 teaspoons of a non-ionic surfactant to one gallon of water to treat 1000 square feet of lawn space.
Competitive cover crops are effective for suppressing bermudagrass. Plant a dense stand of rye, winter oats or winter barley in the fall. Harvest this for grain or forage and plow under the stubble. Plant a highly competitive summer cover crop like cowpeas or velvetbeans.
Epsom salt is an organic compound that is full of beneficial minerals for lawns. Iron in Epsom salt, for example, helps grasses to grow healthy and strong. Meanwhile, the magnesium in Epsom salt balances the PH level in your grasses so that it doesn't become too acidic.
One of the effective ways of naturally killing Bermuda grass is with vinegar. A 10 percent vinegar solution will kill the weeds and eradicate them naturally. However, the solution is non-selective and will kill your lawn grass alongside the Bermuda grass.
Poisoning Bermuda grass with an herbicide that contains glyphosate, which is the active ingredient in the product called Roundup, is extremely effective.
Compacted soil is another common culprit when parts of your bermudagrass lawn die. Compacted soil doesn't drain well. So when the soil is compacted, water from irrigation or rain can pool and suffocate the plant roots. Waterlogged turf roots can't access the air and nutrients they need to grow and thrive.
The key is to kill bermuda in the summer when it is actively growing and then be ready to seed with fescue in the fall while the soil temperature is still warm but the air is cool. Renovation from bermuda to fescue takes a little work (and patience) but it's well worth the effort.
A restricted use herbicide called TFC, or Tall Fescue Control, can be applied by a lawn service. It can selectively kill fescue without harming the bluegrass. It may be slow-acting and seems to work best when applied in fall.
Thinning fescue lawns should be reseeded with fescue -- not overseeded with annual Ryegrass. Overseeding with Annual Ryegrass is a horrible idea since the ryegrass will compete with your fescue for nutrients, water, soil, and sunlight.
For instance, if your facility is large and yields a lot of shade, fescue might come to the rescue in terms of landscape and building maintenance. If, on the other hand, you have a limited budget for landscape maintenance, Bermuda grass provides a less maintenance-intensive solution.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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