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Bermuda
Grass
Common bermuda
grass is drought resistant, grows on many soils, and makes a good turf
if fertilized and mowed right. Common bermuda grass produces many
unsightly seed heads, but in spite of this fault, it frequently is used
on home lawns due to the ease and economy of establishment. Common
bermuda may be planted from either seed or sprigs and with intensive
management will provide a high quality turf. However, the newer hybrid
bermudas are generally far superior.
Bermuda grass
is also a major turf species for sports fields, parks, golf courses, and
general utility turfs. It is found in over 100 countries throughout the
tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common Bermuda grass, C.
dactylon, naturalized throughout the warmer regions of the United
States, was introduced into this country during the colonial period from
Africa or India. The earliest introductions are not recorded, but
Bermuda grass is listed as one of the principal grasses in the Southern
States in Mease's Geological Account of the United States published in
1807.
Prefers full
sun, draught resistant, can withstand heavy traffic. Can easily be
planted from grass seed (although it was once only grown from sod and
the new seed varieties are not as fine bladed as the sodded varieties).
One of the South's favorites grass types. Grows in tropical, subtropical
and transition zone areas. Found extensively on lawns, golf courses,
sporting fields and coast areas.
Turns brown
with the first drop in temperature. There are more cold tolerant
varieties available. In warmer tropical areas, Bermuda retains a
beautiful green color year round. This is a very aggressive grass and
flower beds or other areas will be quickly overrun if not kept in check.
Once established it is very difficult to remove due to its extensive
root system.
Texture: common
Bermuda has a medium texture. Hybrid Bermuda is fine
Cold Tolerance:
good (some more than others)
Shade
Tolerance:: poor
Traffic: good
Watering:
tolerates drought, but needs water weekly to remain green
Mowing height:
varies between 1/2" — 2" Some newer hybrid varieties (Champion,
FloraDwarf, Midlawn, Midfield, Tiffine, Tifgreen, & Tifdwarf) can be cut
as low as 1/8", but are mostly suitable for putting greens)
First mowing of
the season: after danger of hard freezes has passed, set your mower to
lower than normal to remove as much dead top-growth as possible.
Normally in mid-March when the soil temperature is around 55. Don't mow
below 1/2" or you could damage the plant. Bag the clippings for this
first mowing. Lawn will turn green when soil temperature warms to 60-65.
Once the lawn has greened, mow at your normal height (2" for common and
1 — 1-1/2" for hybrids).
Never reduce
the height of your lawn by more than one-third when mowing. Removing
more than this can cause scalping and may take a long time to recover,
during which, the grass is more susceptible to stress and further
damage.
Planting: seed,
sod, plugs, or sprigs
Pests: dead
spot, mole crickets, sod webworms, armyworms, and dollar spot
Aeration: may
be aerated any time during the growing season as long as the lawn is not
experiencing a drought. Aeration is not recommended after the lawn has
gone dormant.
Hybrid Bermuda
Grasses:
Compared with
common bermuda, these grasses have more disease resistance, greater turf
density, better weed resistance, fewer seedheads, finer and softer
texture and a more favorable color. They also produce no viable seed and
must be planted by vegetative means (sprigs, sod).
The hybrids
also require more intensive maintenance for best appearance. Frequent
fertilization and close mowing, edging, and dethatching are needed to
keep them attractive.
Tifway (419)–
dark green, fine texture, dense
Tifway II– dark
green, fine texture, dense, tolerates colder temperatures
Tifgreen (328)–
medium green, fine texture, very dense
Midway– dark
green, medium texture, dense, tolerates colder temperatures
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