Bermuda grass week killer

MLD – posted 29 May 2002 11:57

Is there a product that will kill fescue in a bermuda grass lawn without harming the bermuda?

Thanks

frenchman – posted 05 June 2002 17:57

I’ll try to get this answer tomorrow when I go to work.

seed – posted 06 June 2002 17:58

MLD, I am aware of no selective herbicide for removing tall fescue from bermudagrass. One approach is to use the nonselective herbicide glyphosate [Roundup] as a winter treatment, when the bermudagrass is dormant but the tall fescue is green. Rope-wick treatments might have some value, particularly if the tall fescue is sufficiently above the height of the bermudagrass. You might also try to selectively apply glyphosate to the center of each tall fescue plant. Finally, I found the following:

“Multiple metsulfuron [Manor, Blade] applications had no activity on bermudagrass, but caused . . . severe injury to tall fescue.”B. J. Johnson, 1988, “Herbicide control of bermudagrass in tall fescue, centipedegrass, and zoysia turfgrasses.” Research Bulletin, Georgia Agricultural Experiment StationsNo. 379, 24 pp.

There has been no corroboration that I am aware of regarding this. Whatever you do, be careful.

Phil

Cfusselman – posted 30 November 2003 00:17

In Fresno, CA Most cemetaries use Bermuda grass. According to EG. Babcock a lawn care dealer for the past 40+ years in Fresno…Once the bermuda grass goes dormant the cemetaries use a 1% solution of RoundUP (That is “ONE PERCENT”) this kills all non bermuda grasses and Weeds. It does not harm the bermuda grass. In the spring they resead new bermuda grass in effected areas and they have a healthy bermuda only lawn.Rarely do they have to do this in established bermuda areas. But since they are in the digging business the new ground is where they encounter other grasses and weeds. Nuff said. CDF

ted – posted 04 December 2003 14:42

mld< where do you live? important to know this – really helps formulate an answer- the roundup treatments are correct provided that your bermuda is really , really dormant. you certainly could carefully “spot treat” only the tall fescue clumps when it’s plenty cold- ( liek in the 30’s). it’s a very common practice. also Lesco makes a product called tall fescue control for this very purpose- not sure if you have to be licensed to buy it however. it’s a very common problem this time of year. see lesco. com

whitesnake – posted 14 March 2006 14:27

Image and MSMA will go after several grasses while leaving the Bermuda lawn unscathed. Be careful in application to non-dormant lawns if you mix too hot you will yellow or even brown out the bermuda. I use both of these selective herbicides in my bermuda with success.