Yet another Bahia control question (with a twist)

BaHateIt – posted 26 July 2004 14:21

I have a home in Central FL that I bought new in the winter. The builder was extremely frugal and put in Bahia, which in my opinion is the worst type of grass and the person who thought to use it in residential applications should be sent to mow my huge lawn twice a week. This stuff grows about 8″-10″ a week, in the sun or shade, it doesn’t matter and the seed heads from the summer rains have made this grass high maintenance. I set the mower on the lowest setting in hopes of burning the crap out of the lawn, but it has no effect. It looks great for a day or two and then shoots up worse than ever.

Calm down. Ok, here’s the deal. I have some areas that look like bermuda is taking over. At least I think it’s bermuda. It’s a lush dark green color and grows in stalks with individual alternate leaves on the stalks. (I could be wrong here) But whatever it is, I prefer it over the bahia. It is only taking over in areas that are high traffic or that I park on/drive on etc.

Here’s what I’d like. I am from up north and I am used to the lush dark green kentucky bluegrass and fescue and other grass types that won’t work down here. Even though those types are not as durable, I don’t want a grass that is stronger than I am! So in other words, I like the dark green, short, soft texture, managable, “golf course” look, and I want to be able to cut it really, really, really short. Such as 1″ I also want to be able to stripe the lawn. And I don’t want to mow more frequently than every other week. I do not like St. Augustine, as it does not meet this criteria.

I have tried overseeding with fescue that was guaranteed to grow and it did not grow except for a really shady spot where there wasn’t any grass to begin with.

If I had the money to do so, I would tear up this garbage and put in seaside paspalum, but I don’t.

My question is, can I do anything with the bermuda that is growing in the lawn to make it overtake the rest of the grass more efficiently? Could I take small 3″ plugs from the bermuda patches and plant them elsewhere in the yard? Has anyone tried this?Or do I need to just remove the grass and start over?

Thanks for your help. Sorry if I sound bitter, I am so frustrated with this ugly weed grass, I almost bought $500 worth of roundup to get rid of it once and for all, but it would just come back from nearby lawns.