Joe Papiez – posted 29 July 2004 17:43
Over the past 2 years I have been gradually converting a poorly heat tolerant fescue lawn to a very nice Tifsport Bermuda lawn. The potential problem is common Bermuda creeping in from the lawn next door. The two lawn fronts have not met, but will soon. Will I be able to promote the tifsport over the common with low mowing, or do I need to take drastic action? Any responses will be appreciated.
BaHateit1 – posted 30 July 2004 18:51
Could it be that they both co-exist? You know, having similar reproductive methods?
Joe Papiez – posted 31 July 2004 07:55
Thanks for responding. I think they CAN coexist, but I much prefer the tifsport due to the prettier narrow leafs and coloration. Does anyone know whether I can do anything that would promote the tifsport over the common?
ncbeachpeople – posted 20 August 2004 12:13
quote:Originally posted by Joe Papiez:Over the past 2 years I have been gradually converting a poorly heat tolerant fescue lawn to a very nice Tifsport Bermuda lawn. The potential problem is common Bermuda creeping in from the lawn next door. The two lawn fronts have not met, but will soon. Will I be able to promote the tifsport over the common with low mowing, or do I need to take drastic action? Any responses will be appreciated.
ncbeachpeople – posted 20 August 2004 12:17
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quote:Originally posted by ncbeachpeople:
I had a similiar problem with neighboring grasses to my tiff. I used a gasoline edger and cut a line down the property line every month or so and cut the root system from the neighboring lawn. It worked will with St Augustine and centipied. It mixes well with common burmuda and I did not used the edger when there was neighboring burmuda…good luck
JD – posted 22 August 2004 20:05
I had both Bermuda sod and common in the same yard for three years and it appeared it was a stand off. The sod, if anything, probably took over some of the common but not a lot. I think the sod is by nature a “better” grass and obviously much thicker so it probably has an edge in the battle of the grasses. It would be nice to hear from someone on this that actually knows what they are talking about (i.e. horticulturist).
turfie – posted 31 August 2004 11:50
This is a common problem on the golf course I work on. There is nothing we can spray on those areas that won’t hurt the Tifsport – they are both bermudagrass afterall. One option would be to spot spray with roundup when you notice a small area starting. Then topdress so the stolons/rhizomes of the Tifsport can grow back in. The problem will probably require that you monitor frequently and treat as needed, since common bermuda can blow in by seed or grow in vegetatively from other areas i.e. your neighbor’s lawn. I like the idea of round up along the perimeter or some other sort of barrier.
Good luck!
jr – posted 31 August 2004 17:46
Common bermuda is public enemy #1 when it invades your hybrid bermuda. One is not necessarily outcompete the other, and as Turfie says, there is nothing you can spray on it, since they are still the same species. The bottom line is you just do not want it in your hybrid sod, so be agressive and spot treat with Roundup when you see it, put down the appropriate pre-emergent regularly so if seeds do blow in from the neighbor’s yard they won’t germinate, and create some kind of physical barrier between the two yards.