Bermuda Grass

ks – posted 27 March 2004 06:21

Long time visitor first time poster on this site…I finally need some help although this question may be ridiculous.

My problem is that my grass (bermuda) with about 4-5 days growth appears very dense, uniform, and green. When I mow the turf reveals a brownish tint in many spots and green in other leaving an un-uniform surface. I think that I fertilize properly but seem to have a density issue with the turf. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.

Thanks

ted – posted 27 March 2004 12:46

i think it depends on where you live. anywhere north of dallas or atlanta has not seen much bermuda growth yet, and those markets are not even fully green yet.

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 29 March 2004 07:46

Are you mowing at the lowest height on your mower? Bermuda loves to be very short and will grow extremely dense at heights from 1/2 inch (or even less) to an inch.

ks – posted 29 March 2004 10:26

Yes, I am mowing at the second to lowest setting every 3-4 days….this is a change in the program from last year when I was mowing considerably higher….density problem could stem from last year and that I need to wait this year until the grass has a chance to really get going.

redbird – posted 01 April 2004 11:56

I think that you are facing two issues:

1) Lawn “set” height (for lack of a better term): If you don’t establish a very low first cut height with bermuda at the beginning of the season and maintain it by FREQUENT mowing, the brown, woody part of the grass grows out taller. So when you cut the green growth off, you see the brown underneath – partcularly in uneven areas. Although you can in theory lower this “set height” over time during the season, gradually, my experience has been that it is difficult. Again, the solution – scalp to the minimum on your first cut of the season and mow frequently enough that you never take offf more than 1/3 of the blade – this keeps the height of the brown stalks low and forces horizontal growth.

2) You are probably using a standard, rotary mower. Acceptable (but not best) for bermuda. The consequence is that you will experience brown tipping after each cut – sometimes even exhibited as swirl marks, matching the swirl of the rotary mower blade.

INMHOMike

ks – posted 02 April 2004 15:52

Mike – thanks for the post. Good insight. I do use a standard rotary mower but keep the blades sharp to minimize the impact you mention.

On a side note, what do you reccomend for fertilzation as well as schedule?

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 04 April 2004 12:11

I agree with redbird completely. Well said!

redbird – posted 05 April 2004 07:56

RE: fertilization – Dchall probably has some plugs for organic fertlizing (can’t knock it – haven’t tried it!). But if you are not going organic, look at the web sites fro university agriculture department web sites in you area (search using “Turf, minnesota – or wherever you are located) and contact your local count agricultural extension office (in the yellow pages).

I just hate to give you advice on a fertilizer regimen w/o knowing your soil type & growing region.

Mike…