Bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) are among the most widely used
warm-season grasses. Improved,
fine-textured bermudagrasses are used throughout the south on
golf courses, athletic fields, and in high-profile residential
and commercial landscapes where a fine-textured, dense ground
cover is desired. Because of the high maintenance requirements
of the improved bermudagrasses, however, they are not generally
recommended for use as a home lawngrass. Common bermudagrass
varieties are often found as pasture and roadside grasses; these
coarse-leaved varieties do not provide the high quality nor do
they require the high maintenance of the fine-textured types.
Advantages
Bermudagrass produces a vigorous, medium green, dense turf
that is well adapted to most soils and climates found in
Florida. Bermudagrass has excellent wear, drought, and salt
tolerance. It establishes rapidly and is able to outcompete most
weed species. It is readily available as sod or plugs, and some
improved cultivars are available as seeded varieties. Common
varieties are available as seed, sod, or plugs.
Disadvantages
Improved
bermudagrasses require high levels of maintenance. They have
poor tolerance to many
insect, disease, and nematode pests, which limits their use in
home lawn sites. They grow very aggressively from stolons
(aboveground stems) and rhizomes (belowground stems) and can
rapidly invade flower and landscape beds. This aggressive growth
also fosters thatch buildup. Bermudagrasses generally have poor
to medium cold tolerance and relatively poor shade tolerance.
Since bermudagrass performs best with higher levels of
fertilizers and chemicals than other Florida lawngrasses, a
professional lawn care company may best handle maintenance of
this species.
Cultivars
Common
Common
bermudagrass is a coarse-textured, low-density cultivar
often found in pastures or on roadsides. It has a lighter green
color and overall lower visual quality than the improved
cultivars. It is available by seed or as sod, and is often mixed
with bahiagrass for low-utility usage.
Other Seeded Varieties --
Cheyenne, Sahara, Sundevil, Jackpot, and Others
These newer seeded varieties have a darker green color, deeper
roots, more shoot density, and a less coarse leaf texture than
common bermudagrasses. While these varieties are suited for
lawns, sports turf, parks, or roadsides, their performance and
overall quality are comparable to common bermudagrass.
Maintenance of Bermudagrass Lawns
Seeding
Only common-type bermudagrasses can be established from seed.
Bermudagrass seed should be planted at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds
of hulled seed per 1000 square feet.
Fertilization
Proper fertilization of any lawngrass is an important component
of the best management practices for your home lawn.
Fertilization and other cultural practices can influence the
overall health and quality of your lawn and will reduce its
vulnerability to numerous stresses, including weeds, insects,
and disease.
It is advisable for homeowners to have soil tests done annually.
Your local Cooperative Extension Service office has
recommendations and bags for taking soil samples and submitting
them to the Extension Soil Testing Lab for analysis. In
particular, phosphorous levels are best determined by soil
testing. Since many Florida soils are high in phosphorous,
little or no phosphorous may be needed for satisfactory lawn
growth.
Maintaining a good-quality
bermudagrass turf requires a properly planned fertilization
program. Fertilizer timing and amounts for bermudagrass are
based largely on the turf use. Generally, bermudagrasses require
higher levels of fertilizer than other warm-season grasses for
acceptable growth, durability, and appearance.
Bermudagrasses can be maintained at moderate maintenance
levels in areas such as lawns, athletic fields, or golf course
fairways.
In general, two weeks following spring regrowth, apply a
complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8 at the rate of ½
(water-soluble) to 1 (slow-release) pound of nitrogen per 1000
square feet. The three numbers refer to the percentages of
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively. For example,
a 50-pound bag of 16-4-8 contains 16% nitrogen or 8 pounds total
nitrogen. This bag will fertilize 8000 square feet at the rate
of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet.
Fertilizer should be applied to bermudagrass in three to seven
applications from spring green-up through fall. Do not apply
nitrogen too early in the growing season, particularly in North
Florida, or subsequent frosts may damage the grass. Likewise,
don't fertilize too late in the year, as this can slow regrowth
the following spring. If applying water-soluble forms at the
lower application rate, it will take more applications to apply
the total amount of fertilizer needed for the year than if
applying a slow-release fertilizer form.
Mowing
Proper mowing practices are necessary to keep any lawn healthy
and attractive. Both height and frequency of cut need to be
adjusted for the level of turf management and season of the
year. Under low to moderate levels of management, bermudagrass
should be cut at a height of ¾ to 1½ inches, which may require
mowing one to three times per week. Common bermudagrass should
be mowed at the highest recommended heights. This will help the
grass develop a deep root system and give it a better
appearance. Under higher levels of management, bermudagrass can
be maintained at a height of ½ inch if the turf is mowed daily
during the growing season. Mowing at this height and frequency
requires more fertilizer and water to maintain an attractive and
durable turf. It should be noted that low cutting heights and
high maintenance levels predispose the turf to many weed and
pest problems. Under low to moderate management practices,
mowing frequency should be adjusted to the amount of growth.
Remove no more than 1/3 of the total leaf blade with any mowing.
A reel mower is preferred for cutting bermudagrass. This gives a
cleaner cut, and these mowers can also be more accurately
adjusted to low heights. In a home lawn situation, a rotary
mower may be used if the blades are sharp and well-adjusted to
get a clean, smooth cut and if the cutting height is high enough
for the mower. Grass clippings can be left on turf maintained
with low to moderate fertility levels if mowed at the proper
height and frequency. The clippings do not contribute to thatch,
and they provide supplemental sources of nutrients. Remove the
clippings only if the amount is so excessive that clumps form,
or if appearance is important.
Watering
An established bermudagrass turf should be watered as needed.
Irrigation is needed when leaf blades begin to fold up, to
actually wilt, to turn blue-gray in color, or when footprints
remain visible after walking on the grass. Apply ¾ to 1 inch of
water per application. This will apply water to roughly the top
8 inches of soil, where the majority of the roots are. To
determine how much water a sprinkler system is providing, place
several coffee cans throughout the irrigation zones to find out
how long it takes to apply this amount of water. This is how
long your irrigation system should run for each application.
During prolonged droughts, bermudagrass may go dormant if it
does not receive irrigation. The grass will turn brown and stop
growing during this dormant period, but it will revive and
resume growth upon irrigation with sufficient amounts of water.
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