Seedheads in Bermuda Grass

AJ’s Yard – posted 10 May 2004 08:35

What is the best way to eliminate seedheads in Bermuda turf? I didn’t have these little frickers last year, and now they are going crazy sporadically in the yard. I used a crabgrass preemergent in late January, a high nitrogen based fetilizer in early March, and early May, and have 99% of lawn weeds under control. I have a red clay based soil, and live in central Arkansas.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.Sincerely,

PWF, JR

ted – posted 10 May 2004 10:24

are the seedheads on the bermuda, or another grassy type weed?

AJ’s Yard – posted 10 May 2004 10:48

Thanks for the reply…. They’re on the Bermudagrass. I didn’t know what these seedheads were up until last week when I finally found a description, photo, and information about these. However, I haven’t been able to find very much information on how to control or kill their growth.

Any ideas or suggestions?Thx….PF

can’t_believe_it – posted 10 May 2004 12:39

Don’t allow your bermuda to grow tall enough to head out.

AJ’s Yard – posted 10 May 2004 13:26

My lawn stays pretty well manicured. It’s weird because I have only one small patch of these things in the back yard, and several patches in the front. I’m mowing once a week, and these things are re-sprouting as fast as one day after mowing. I’ve been reading about a couple of chemicals that supposedly control seedheads; Imazapic & Sulfometuron. Can anyone vouch for the validity of these chemicals?

Thx in advance…

jr – posted 10 May 2004 13:54

Do you have one of the hybrids or cultivars? If you do, maybe some common bermuda snuck into your yard.

cohiba – posted 10 May 2004 14:05

Not a Poa Annua seedhead is it?

Just a thought……

AJ’s Yard – posted 10 May 2004 15:41

I’m not sure which variety. This home/lawn is relatively new (less than 2-years old), and I am the first owner; However, everything was already landscaped when I purchased the property. I used two applications of MSMA this spring for a few broadleaf’s, and there was virtually zero discoloration in the lawn, so I would assume that it is some type of hybrid Bermuda.

quote:Originally posted by jr:Do you have one of the hybrids or cultivars? If you do, maybe some common bermuda snuck into your yard.

AJ’s Yard – posted 10 May 2004 15:55

Cohiba,What do these look like? I haven’t been able to locate a good picture of Poa Annua seedheads on the internet to compare. The seedheads that I’m dealing with (3-leaf per stem) resemble that of Goosegrass seedheads, but the goosegrass weed isn’t present. I have found a couple different varieties of bermudagrasses that supposedly bloom more seedheads than others, and the pictures that I saw looked consistent to that in my lawn.

quote:Originally posted by cohiba:Not a Poa Annua seedhead is it?

Just a thought……

ted – posted 10 May 2004 19:13

poa has a white furry seed head- there’s actually a posted pic in one of the other sections on this weed. i’m with cohiba- the fact it’s in sections means it might not be a bermuda problem- also poa is very shiny. it’s actually bluegrass.