mlallen – posted 18 April 2003 23:15
I live in NW Arkansas and purchased a new house last November. My front lawn is sodded with Bermuda, but the bermuda has come out yet and I have a lot of weeds. The only thing I have put down is Scott’s starter fertilizer. The weeds are coming up through the gaps in the sod and I’m afraid I may end up with no Bermuda. Is it to early to use weed and feed or should I wait it out?
ted – posted 20 April 2003 14:40
granular weed control products don’t work, don’t even waste your time. you’re probably seeing broadleaf weeds.- do they have colored flowers on them? if so, then you can buy a 24-d liquid mix from a farm co-op or whatever you have there. you’re probably better off calling a chemical lawn care company. there’s never just one problem- you’re having the weeds because you have turf problems. if you can fix the underlying problem, then you will have less weeds.
redbird – posted 21 April 2003 14:20
I had common bermuda in TX a decade ago – moved into a house with the same lawn problems you describe. I used Weed-B-Gone with some success on the weeds, but johnson grass kept poking up high above the patchy lawn – overall it looked terrible. An elderly neighbor provided a solution that worked with every issue:
For one solid growing season, religiously cut the lawn at a low height (no more than 1.5″ every three days – NO MISSED CUTTINGS/SCALPINGS. The results? The johnson grass couldn’t stand the frequent cuttings, which simultaneously promoted horizontal growth in the bermuda. It filled in every gap and choked out most of the weeds that first year. I never even fertilized it – just watered it twice a week and mowed it every three days.
I’m no expert, but it made a beautiful lawn for me.Mike
George777 – posted 21 April 2003 19:55
It is common for new turf to get invaded with weeds. If the turf has not rooted I would not apply any chem to the turf. I would wait until you get some green and rooting of the turf before you apply any herbicides. For now just let it be and if your turf can be mowed just bag it each time.
Call your local county extension agent to get advise for your location. Where I live most grass is about 90% green right now. bermuda turf will not awaken untill soil temp reaches 50-55 degrees. Once it starts to show some top growth, cut it real short. By doing this you will get a more dense turf. I would recommend never putting any fert down untill the turf wakes up. Out her where I live the last frost may happen up to Easter. Most grass is green and no fert has been applied. If your turf starts to green up and taking the fert up and a frost comes this could be trouble.
If your turf is still sleeping then the starter fert will not be taken up by the turf.
Ted – posted 21 April 2003 20:33
Yep. IN north arkansas, you’re definitely seeing the bermuda green up now. I reread your post and i think you hit it on the head! you mentioned you have cracks in the sod. this is a common problem where the installation crew didn’t butt up the edges together! go ahead and use your week control, you won’t hurt it, and previous posts are correct, mow it low (always) and use heavy amounts of nitrogen now. Also, have your soil tested- very important