mcarmody – posted 19 September 2003 13:32
I live in Bristol, VA. I hate bermuda grass because it turns so brown in the winter. Let me tell you what I have done and you tell me if I’ve done the right thing. I mowed the grass (scalped it actually) and bagged all the grass. Then I used a “ready to use” brand of grass and weed killer. Will this do the job. Remember, I mowed the grass down to the dirt, almost.Mike in Bristol
kramer – posted 21 September 2003 07:00
I just killed my Bermuda with Rounup. It was the only thing I could find to work quick. Fusilade II will work as well. However, it will take several applications.
certified-in-florida – posted 21 September 2003 14:21
Hi Mike,
If you used a product like “Round Up”, it may not work as effectively if you took all the green tissue off with the close cutting. I agree with the previous post. . .round up will do the job. I just killed a lawn over the last week in preperation for replacement and I used round up to do it.
The nice thing about this product is that it binds so tightly with the soil particles that it will not affect any seeding or sodding you do now.
Good luck
redbird – posted 22 September 2003 08:48
It was a bad idea to cut close before using a herbicide. The type of non-selective herbicide that you need can only be taken up through leaf tissue. The best method for eradicating a tough customer like bermuda is to: spray the LUSH, GREEN GROWTH (let it grow out a bit, water it a day or two prior)with a non-selective herbicide. The ready to use versions are worthless for killing bermuda. They will knock it back temporarily but will never kill it. Use the professional concentrate of roundup at the strongest application rate, or Spectracide concentrate at the highest application. I personally like Spectracide. It is cheaper (significantly) kills quicker (significantly) and is just as effective as roundup. Water the lawn again in 48 hours to increase uptake (look at the weather channel – try to have at least a 24 hr. dry period immediately following application). Wait 7 – 10 days – re-apply to any green areas. Wait 7 – 10 days, re-apply to any green areas. Wait 7 -10 days, then seed or sod.
Again, the keys to success are:
1) Lush, green growth.
2) Professional strength concentrate of roundup or spectracide (saving money on the cheap stuff will just extend your battle – bermuda is amazingly difficult to completely eradicate).
3) Usually at least three applications, with time in between for new sprouts to appear.
You can approach this in a cheaper, less involved way, but you will be cursing yourself for the next ten years as you battle bermuda in your new lawn. There are no shortcuts with this stuff.
Mike
rbtmatrix – posted 30 April 2004 12:09
Will the Use of such a strong concentration of herbacide prevent or slow the growth of St. Augustine in the area of yard that the bermuda was killed in???
ted – posted 30 April 2004 13:48
only if it was sprayed, too- there’s no “pre-emergence” effect with roundup
Dennis – posted 23 May 2004 09:08
Two years ago….I killed the entire lawn with Round-up – and let it set for six months – then hit it again with round-up….When all was dead – The lanscaper dug up the remaining roots (about 6 inches of topsoil….—and replanted the entire yard with fescue. For about 2 months – it looked wonderful.
But…it’s back…The Bermuda grass is back….I give up !!!!
yardmom – posted 23 May 2004 18:39
There is a herbicide called “Vantage” that is supposed to work on bermudagrass. I personally haven’t tried it…yet. I have a bottle sitting in my garage and I’m waiting for my centipede to establish itself and then I’m gonna use it. My next door neighbor is a landscaper and swears by it. By the way, he doesn’t have any bermuda.