tired of contractor mix, want to change to Bermuda

Buddyin VA – posted 17 April 2007 15:41

thanks in advance for any assistance.

a few years ago moved into a new build and gave the contractors choice of cheap mix a go., Now I want to switch to bermuda. I have been researching Yukon, Blackjack, Riviera and Mohawk. All have a pretty good rating for this area in VA. I want to let it grow high and cut less often. I’m leaning towards Yukon and Blackjack.

Now the big question: reseeding. Is Bermuda aggressive enough to “take over” the current mix of grass, mainly fescue, if I overseed??

or should I go ahead and start all over and dig up the old??

and I have read I have the wrong type mower, rotary, for bermuda. So I’m thinking growing it high is good.

thanks again from a lawn growing novice.

BuckinNC – posted 19 April 2007 11:36

Don’t know about the turf to select but you may have a tough time finding a reel mower that will go much above 1-1/2 inches I think the rationale for not using a rotary mower on bermuda mostly has to do with having 419 or another hybrid and mowing at less than an inch. I expect that if you will be keeping your stand up high a rotary will suffice.

tommy – posted 20 April 2007 12:24

The bermuda will take over the cool season grasses to a large extent, but not eliminate them. You will always have some cool season grass in patches, especially in the winter. If you want straight bermuda- Spray ‘Round up’ before you seed- and use weed preventer in the fall to reduce cool season weedy grasses. ‘Black jack’ and ‘Mohawk’ would be the better choices for a rotary.