Q. I have a hybrid Bermudagrass
lawn with weed problems of clover, crabgrass and chickweed. I sprayed the lawn in spring with a liquid
weed killer using garden hose. Weeds loved it. I bought a spreadable product
which can’t be applied during temperatures above the 80’s. Is there anything that I can do before the
fall?
lawn with weed problems of clover, crabgrass and chickweed. I sprayed the lawn in spring with a liquid
weed killer using garden hose. Weeds loved it. I bought a spreadable product
which can’t be applied during temperatures above the 80’s. Is there anything that I can do before the
fall?
 |
| Most high end golf courses like this one in the hot Mojave Desert climate uses hybrid bermudagrass as its base and overseeds with perennial ryegrass in the fall if the price of water permits it. Hybrid bermuda has been the grass of choice in hot climates because of its beauty and resilience. |
A. Hybrid Bermudagrass, if
managed correctly, will have very few weeds as a residential lawn if mowed, fertilized and watered
correctly. Mowing frequently at the proper height, applying high nitrogen
fertilizers every 6 to 8 weeks and watering to keep it “perky” keeps most weeds
at bay.
managed correctly, will have very few weeds as a residential lawn if mowed, fertilized and watered
correctly. Mowing frequently at the proper height, applying high nitrogen
fertilizers every 6 to 8 weeks and watering to keep it “perky” keeps most weeds
at bay.
 |
| Hybrid bermudagrass must be mowed frequently to encourage horizontal growth which is important for keeping weeds at bay. Frequent mowing creates shade on the soil which discourages weed growth. This is a Toro reel-type mower for mowing golf course fairways, greens and tees. |
Mowing height depends on the variety of hybrid
Bermudagrass. All of them should be mowed below one inch and a few of them grow
best when cut at ½ inch or less. Frequent mowing at these heights encourages a
thick, horizontal mat of grass that prevents these weeds.
Bermudagrass. All of them should be mowed below one inch and a few of them grow
best when cut at ½ inch or less. Frequent mowing at these heights encourages a
thick, horizontal mat of grass that prevents these weeds.
Apply high nitrogen fertilizers every 6 to 8 weeks during
its growing season, particularly in the summer months. Reduce the amount of
fertilizer applied to the grass to between ½ to 3/4 of the recommended rate on
the bag. Fertilizing with high nitrogen fertilizers and mowing frequently work
well together to prevent weed growth.
its growing season, particularly in the summer months. Reduce the amount of
fertilizer applied to the grass to between ½ to 3/4 of the recommended rate on
the bag. Fertilizing with high nitrogen fertilizers and mowing frequently work
well together to prevent weed growth.
 |
| Ammonium sulfate is a conventional mineral fertilizer high in nitrogen which promotes leaf, stem growth and dark green color. |
Irrigate during the early morning hours before sunup.
Make sure to apply enough water to penetrate the soil 12 inches deep. You will
be surprised at how many of these weeds will be eliminated through proper
mowing, fertilizing and irrigation.
Make sure to apply enough water to penetrate the soil 12 inches deep. You will
be surprised at how many of these weeds will be eliminated through proper
mowing, fertilizing and irrigation.
Weed control in Bermudagrass is more effective in the
spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. Weeds are more resistant to weed
killers when stressed by the heat. Weeds are more susceptible to weed killers during
cooler months.
spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. Weeds are more resistant to weed
killers when stressed by the heat. Weeds are more susceptible to weed killers during
cooler months.
 |
| Goosegrass looks very similar to crabgrass except for white radiating from the center when it is mowed. Pre-emergent weed killers must be applied about two months later to control goosegrass compared to crabgrass. |
Make
sure it is crabgrass and not goosegrass. They look very similar. Crabgrass
control begins mid to the latter part of January. Goosegrass control begins 2
months later. Pre-emergent weed killers are applied to the lawn to kill seed as
it germinates so these weed killers must be applied before the seed germinates
or you’ll get no control. Follow label directions.
sure it is crabgrass and not goosegrass. They look very similar. Crabgrass
control begins mid to the latter part of January. Goosegrass control begins 2
months later. Pre-emergent weed killers are applied to the lawn to kill seed as
it germinates so these weed killers must be applied before the seed germinates
or you’ll get no control. Follow label directions.
 |
| Crabgrass doesn’t have this white center like goosegrass and it appears much earlier in the season. Weed control for crabgrass happens very early in the spring. |
To control clover and chickweed use a liquid weed killer
containing either MCPP, 2,4-D and dicamba OR MCPA, 2,4-D and triclopyr listed
as ingredients on the label. Apply it either in combination with a fertilizer
and applied with the drop spreader or liquid applied with a compressed air
sprayer. Hoes-end applicators, in my opinion, do not do a very good job.
containing either MCPP, 2,4-D and dicamba OR MCPA, 2,4-D and triclopyr listed
as ingredients on the label. Apply it either in combination with a fertilizer
and applied with the drop spreader or liquid applied with a compressed air
sprayer. Hoes-end applicators, in my opinion, do not do a very good job.
Do not apply water for
24 hours after an application. Mix a wetting agent with the spray to help it
get inside the leaves. Read and follow label directions.