Every homeowner wants a lush, beautiful lawn to enjoy. However, having an invasive weed like Bermudagrass take over can ruin the aesthetic and functionality of your prized grass.
This aggressive southern grass spreads across warm-season turfgrasses like Zoysia and St. Augustine. Its rapid spread chokes out desirable grasses, leaving behind unsightly patches of coarse Bermuda blades. If you’ve been battling Bermudagrass and want your lawn back, this guide will help you understand where to start in removal efforts.
Recognition and Fusilade: A Potent Weed-Control Solution
For a long time, controlling Bermudagrass without harming surrounding grasses like Zoysia or St. Augustine proved challenging. Traditional weed killers couldn’t distinguish one type of grass from another. This changed with the introduction of Recognition herbicide, a revolutionary product that allows the selective targeting of invasive grasses.
Recognition contains the proprietary safener metcamifen, protecting desired lawn grasses from damage during treatment. This unique feature permits safely raising application rates of the herbicide Fusilade to effectively combat Bermudagrass encroachment. A combination of Recognition and Fusilade, sold together in an herbicide kit, provides a highly effective solution for gaining the upper hand against Bermudagrass.
Preparing for Application
Before applying herbicide, preparation lays the groundwork for success. First, mow your lawn short to allow product coverage of all foliage. Next, irrigate recently to promote active Bermudagrass growth, improving absorption and effectiveness.
Carefully follow calibration, dosage, and weather instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Proper execution leads to controlled results while limiting environmental impact. Applying at the start of the growing season in spring and early summer provides optimal control as the target weed is vigorously growing through warm temperatures and moisture.
Follow-Through To Complete The Process
Controlling a persistent weed isn’t a one-and-done task. While taking the initial step with herbicide treats existing Bermudagrass, its underground roots may resprout later on if conditions are right. Therefore, monitor the lawn for several months, spot-treating any new growth that appears.
Multiple applications spaced approximately four weeks apart help deplete root energy reserves and prevent reestablishment. Likewise, overseeding bare spots with your desired grass type after the last treatment fills vacated areas, reducing future weed seed germination sites. Committing to thorough follow-through sees the job through to completion.
A Healthy Lawn Best Deters Future Invaders
Once Bermudagrass control concludes, the focus shifts to maintaining a strong, thick lawn unfavorable for weed reintroduction. Core aeration aerates compacted soil, allowing water and nutrients to penetrate deep grass roots. Topdressing with a thin layer of compost replaces lost organic matter. Overseeding bare areas and thinning spots further bulk density to crowd out competitors. Fertilization with a balanced, slow-release product promotes grass vigor during active growing periods in spring and summer. Implementing a holistic lawn care regimen helps your quality turf naturally outcompete invaders for the long haul.
In Closing
Once you commit to using the right herbicide combination, like Recognition and Fusilade, along with follow-up care, taking back your lawn from Bermudagrass invasion is entirely possible. Patience, proper preparation, and ongoing nurturing see the process through to full restoration of your beautiful grass space.
