Every grass type is a little different when it comes to weed control. Different growth patterns, from one breed to the next, affect how vulnerable they are to infestations. Fortunately, bermuda grass is an avid grower, which can help with weed control.
No lawn is completely impervious to weeds, so it is important to know how to handle invasive plants according to what methods will work best for your grass.
Let’s explore some effective ways to handle weeds in bermuda grass.
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Preventing Weeds:
- Use what you’ve got. Bermuda grass is an avid grower, eager to take over as much ground space as you allow it to. Use this to your advantage by allowing it to propagate. Mow frequently to deter weed growth, knowing that the grass itself will grow back fairly quickly.
- Keep your lawn fertilized. A hardy, verdant ground cover will help deter weeds by reducing their opportunity to take root and spread throughout your lawn. Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for your bermuda grass to keep it healthy.
- Use a pre-emergent weed killer. Pre-emergent herbicides work by prevent weed growth at the soil level. They create a subterranean barrier that makes it difficult for intrusive plants to germinate.This type of treatment is best applied at the following times:
- Late winter, before the grass has begun to turn green.
- Late spring or early summer, before the daily temperatures reach 90*.
- Early to mid fall, when the temperatures are averaging below 70*.
- Around 2-3 months after your fall application, when the grass is going dormant. This is only necessary if you’ve experienced annual weeds returning year after year.
Getting Rid of Weeds:
- Post-emergent weed killers are effective for addressing established weeds. Learn what type of weed you’re combating, and use that information to select an herbicide that will be most effective.
- Selective weed killer will target invasive species, as grasses respond to these chemicals differently than other plants. If it happens to be a harsher chemical, you still want to be careful with spot treatment. This is a great solution for broadleaf weeds such as dandelions.
- Non-selective weed killers are helpful for larger infestations. The good thing is, with bermuda grass, you are less likely to cause lasting damage. If you use a non-selective product and find that the surrounding grass is faltering, simply give it some extra water and it should be thriving again in no time.
- Hand-pulling weeds is always effective. This may be laborious and time-consuming, but it’s also gratifying. Pulling a weed up by its roots, with a handy narrow trowel, will ensure that it has no chance of returning. Plus, you get to take credit for your progress without the use of chemicals.
- Dump your grass shavings. This is not something we typically encourage, but when it comes to stopping weeds, you want to make sure you aren’t leaving any seeds behind after you mow. Once you’re confident that you’ve addressed the issue, feel free to leave the clippings behind as a source of nutrients for your lawn.
Final Thoughts
Bermuda grass is an eager grower, which makes it somewhat weed resistant. So the best thing you can do is to take the appropriate measure to keep it healthy. But if you find yourself battling invasive plants, make sure you know what you’re dealing with so you can take appropriate measure to get rid of weeds without harming your grass.
Want more information about bermuda grass? Here is some helpful info!