Bermudagrass (Cynodon species) is an important turfgrass used throughout the southern regions of the United States and into the transition zones where both cool-season and warm-flavour grasses are adjusted. Information technology is known by several common names, including wiregrass and devilgrass.

The improved turf-type bermudagrass volition produce a vigorous, dense, fine bladed turf that is acceptable for sports fields, commercial backdrop, and loftier maintenance lawns. Come across HGIC 1208, Bermudagrass for additional data on intendance and cultivar selection.

Bermudagrass is a thin bladed, sod forming, warm-season turfgrass adapted to the warmer regions of the southeast United States.

Bermudagrass is a sparse bladed, sod forming, warm-season turfgrass adapted to the warmer regions of the southeast United States.
Gary Forrester, ©2018, Horticulture Extension Agent, Clemson University

Producing a yearly maintenance calendar for managing turfgrass consistently year after year can exist difficult in a state with such a diverse climate every bit South Carolina. Because of this, it is important to monitor temperatures and apply the needed management practices based on that yr's climate. Important times to monitor the weather are tardily wintertime or early on leap when the turf is coming out of dormancy and early fall when commencement frosts are forecasted. Last frost dates and first frost dates can vary past several weeks to a month from coastal areas of South Carolina to the foothills of the Upstate.

This turfgrass maintenance calendar may be used on turf growing throughout the state; nevertheless, management practices will need to be adjusted based on the year's climate and the region where the turf is grown.

January through April

Mowing: Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summertime mowing tiptop. The mower setting should be around 1 inch high. Be careful non to set up the mower besides depression, as it may scalp the backyard. This should exist washed just before the fourth dimension of backyard green-upwardly, which usually occurs during belatedly April or early May. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove whatsoever dead material left from winter dormancy. Alternatively, the lawn tin can exist hand raked to remove the excessive dead leaf fabric from the lawn surface.

A abrupt mower blade will cleanly cut the grass blades as opposed to trigger-happy the leaves. Wearisome mower blades rip rather than cut the grass blades. The resulting ragged ends on the blades make the grass more susceptible to diseases. Sharpen the mower blade annually or as needed during the growing flavor.

The appointment of initial turf greenup can be quite variable. In the coastal and more than Southern regions of South Carolina, this generally will occur onetime during April, but further inland, this may be as belatedly as mid-May. Information technology is non unusual for bermudagrass to green upwardly and get burnt dorsum several times during the tardily wintertime or early spring due to tardily season frosts. Because of possible injury to the lawn and the potential fire gamble, do not fire off bermudagrass to remove excessive droppings. For more information on mowing, refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns.

Thatch Removal: If a thatch layer becomes a problem, use a dethatcher or vertical mower to remove it. Consider dethatching bermudagrass when the thatch layer is greater than ½ inch. For best results, use a dethatcher with a 2- or three-inch blade spacing set up a ¼-inch depth. Do not use a power rake with a 1-inch blade spacing, as severe turf injury may event. Employ a lawn mower with a handbag attached or manus rake to collect and properly dispose of the turf material pulled upwardly. For more information on thatch removal, come across HGIC 2360, Controlling Thatch in Lawns.

Aerification: Core aeration is the process of punching small holes in the turf and into the soil to alleviate compaction, thus allowing air to become to the root system. This will help to correct problems associated with poor infiltration and drainage. Once the threat for frost has passed, lawn aerification may exist combined with dethatching to alleviate any soil compaction bug.

However, if a pre-emergent herbicide was applied tardily February to mid-March, postpone any cultivation practices that will disturb the soil until merely earlier the next pre-emergent herbicide application date. Pre-emergent herbicides create a barrier that keeps weed seeds from germinating. Agonizing the soil after an awarding will allow weeds to sally through this barrier.  For more information on aerification, refer to HGIC 1200, Aerating Lawns and HGIC 1226, Turfgrass Tillage.

Weed Control: To command crabgrass, goosegrass, sandspurs, and other summertime almanac weeds, apply a pre-emergent herbicide early in the year.  Approximate times are mid-February in the coastal and central areas and mid-March in the piedmont/mountain areas. A second application is needed approximately eight to ten weeks afterwards the initial awarding to requite season long control of almanac grassy and broadleaf weeds.

Use a postal service-emergent herbicide as needed to control existing winter grassy and broadleaf weeds.  In full general, practice not apply post-emergent herbicides during the leap dark-green upwards of the turf. If a weed problem begins and the grass has begun to green with warmer temperatures, expect until the grass has fully greened before applying a mail service-emergent herbicide. In the concurrently, mow and bag the weeds. Bermudagrass is sensitive to certain herbicides, such every bit 2,4-D, not only during spring green upwardly, but during hot summer temperatures.  Follow label directions for use of whatever herbicide and use with caution during these times. For more information on weed control, please see HGIC 2310, Managing Weeds in Warm-Flavor Lawns.

Insect Command: Cold winter temperatures volition unremarkably keep insect issues in bermudagrass at bay. As temperatures get-go to warm in tardily spring, monitor for mole cricket activeness. If mole cricket activeness is observed, utilise a backyard insecticide if impairment is excessive. If the damage is minimal, await before applying an insecticide. This is not the best time to apply an insecticide for insect control because of cool soil temperatures and reduced insect activity. Withal, an early on warm-up can lead to significant mole cricket activity. Heavy populations can be reduced through appropriately timed insecticide treatments during this menstruum. For more data on mole crickets, see HGIC 2155, Mole Cricket Direction in Turfgrass.

If grubs (the white larvae of beetles, such as Japanese beetles) have been a problem in previous years, monitor the grubs by cutting a square pes slice of sod on 3 sides and pare it back. If more than six grubs are found under the sod slice, apply a backyard insecticide labelled for grub control co-ordinate to label directions. For more information on white grub direction, meet HGIC 2156, White Grub Management in Turfgrass.

Fertilization: Fertilization of bermudagrass should be based on soil test results, and this is a good time to exam soil. However, fertilizers containing nitrogen should non be practical during this period unless the lawn is located forth the coast and no frost is predicted. If new turfgrass growth is encouraged by fertilization during the early spring, and this is followed past a late frost, the result can be pregnant harm to the lawn. Run into HGIC 1652, Soil Testing for instructions on how to properly do a soil exam.

Irrigation: During dormancy, water the lawn to forbid excessive dehydration. Winter desiccation tin be a problem during dry winters. Watering to prevent drought stress can assist eliminate turf loss during winter.

Well-nigh areas of South Carolina receive enough rainfall during the winter to avoid winter desiccation of lawns. However, this is not always the case. Monitor the winter rainfall on a regular basis and apply h2o to the turf if no measurable pelting occurs over a iii to 4 week menstruation. This is especially important if warm, brilliant days preceed days forecasted to exist in the low twenty'due south or colder. The added moisture in the soil will assist continue the growing points of the turf warmer, preventing crown death.

To manage a lawn, it is important to know the soil texture in the top foot of soil. Sandy soils practice non hold moisture well since they drain freely and dry out faster. Dirt soils, all the same, will hold moisture for a longer period. Do not allow the backyard to stay excessively wet if the lawn has a clay soil. If the soil stays saturated all wintertime, this tin cause many other problems. A soil probe can be used to monitor the soil wet. For more information, refer to HGIC 1207, Watering Lawns and HGIC 1225, Conserving Turfgrass Irrigation.

May Through Baronial

Mowing: The ideal mowing height for bermudagrass is from 1 to two inches depending on the specific site and management regime and is best determined by the conditions in the lawn. Start the flavour by mowing the lawn at a elevation of 1¼ to 1½ inches based on a bench mark setting. This is the measured distance from the mower blade to a hard surface and can easily be determined past using a small ruler. Mowing heights beneath i inch will require a reel type mower to achieve satisfactory results. Over the side by side several mowings, gradually reduce the mowing pinnacle in as modest an increment equally possible. Monitor the lawn later each mowing. Once a height where the grass does non wait proficient anymore, it looks likewise thin or scalped, enhance the mowing elevation back to the previous setting. Nevertheless, cultivars of bermudagrass that are adapted to acceptable growth in fractional shade may exist best cutting at a 2-inch summit.

During periods of environmental stress due to loftier temperatures or a lack of rainfall, heighten the mowing height until the stress is eliminated. E'er mow with a sharp mower bract using a mulching type mower, which leaves the clippings to decompose on the turf. The mower blade needs to be sharpened on a regular basis – usually nearly once a month or at least before the growing season starts. If the bag is picking upward soil, especially sand, when the lawn is mowed, then the blade may need to be sharpened more than often than once a month.

Fertilization: Always fertilize and add lime or sulfur based on a soil examination. Bermudagrass will abound best at a pH of 6 to 6.5. If a soil exam shows a higher pH, sulfur can be practical to lower it. Apply 5 lbs of pelletized sulfur per 1000 square feet of turf. Apply sulfur but when the air temperatures are below 75 °F. In three months, recheck the soil pH to run across what change was made. It may take several years for a large pH change to occur. Soils in the Upstate are typically acidic and usually do not demand sulfur applications, but they likely may benefit from lime applications.

Bermudagrass lawns should receive ii to four pounds of actual nitrogen per growing flavor per one thousand square feet of turf. The higher charge per unit may be used on bermudagrass backyard grown on sandy soils, and the lower charge per unit for lawns grown on dirt soils. An application of a soluble atomic number 26 product volition enhance the light-green colour without creating excessive growth.

Early Summer: Apply ½ to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet early May later the lawn fully greens up. The rate will depend on soil type. A soil test will assistance determine if a fertilizer containing phosphorus, the center number in the fertilizer assay, is sufficient for the lawn. Run into the section on fertilizer calculations beneath to determine how much granular fertilizer production should be applied.

Mid-summer: Depending on the soil blazon, fertilize with ½ to ane pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square anxiety in June or July using a fertilizer that is also loftier in potassium, such equally a 15-0-fifteen. The need for phosphorus is determined by the soil test.

Late Summertime: Depending on the soil type, apply ½ to ane pound of bodily nitrogen per 1,000 square anxiety earlier August 15 using a fertilizer that is likewise high potassium, such as a 15-0-15. It is of import for the soil to have sufficient potassium, particularly tardily in the growing season as the grass enters dormancy. Potassium is of import for disease resistance and cold weather hardiness.

Food Deficiencies: A yellow appearance during the growing flavor may indicate an iron deficiency due to excessive soil phosphorus and/or a high soil pH. A long-term arroyo is needed to correct either cause, but iron can exist added to quickly enhance turf colour betwixt the jump and summertime fertilizer applications.

Note: A yellow appearance may also arise in early spring. This could signal an iron or manganese deficiency due to soil temperatures lagging behind air temperatures, high pH soils, or loftier phosphorous levels. Spraying with fe (ferrous) sulfate) at ii ounces in iii to v gallons of water per 1,000 foursquare feet or applying a chelated iron product will help to raise turf color. Fertilizing with a micronutrient fertilizer, such as manganese sulfate, can help convalesce manganese deficiencies. However, every bit the soil temperatures commencement to climb, the yellowing should slowly go away. Lime or sulfur may also exist added if a soil test indicates a need. Exist enlightened, information technology could accept several months for lime and sulfur applications to begin to affect the soil pH.

Fertilizer Calculations: To make up one's mind corporeality of granular fertilizer needed to apply ½ pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, divide 50 by the kickoff number on the fertilizer bag. To determine amount of product required to apply 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, divide 100 by the first number on the fertilizer bag. This will requite the number of pounds of fertilizer product to use to 1000 square anxiety of turf. Come across HGIC 1201, Fertilizing Lawns, for more information.

Irrigation: Water to preclude drought stress.  Monitor the backyard on a regular basis to assess the need for an irrigation. When the entire lawn appears dry, apply ¾ to one inch of water the next morning.  Wait to irrigate again when the lawn shows moisture stress. There are several means to determine when the backyard needs watering. One way is to monitor the lawn daily. When the turf begins to dry, it will announced to have a bluish color. Another method is to walk beyond the backyard late in the evening. If the grass blades in the footprints rebound, at that place is plenty of moisture in the turf. If the grass in the footprints practise not rebound, and so water the next morning.

The irrigation interval will vary from site to site depending on the environmental conditions at that site and soil blazon. The general rule to turfgrass irrigation is to water "deeply and infrequently".  Localized dry out spots or hot spots tin can exist watered by hand as needed.  For more information on turfgrass watering, encounter HGIC 1225, Conservative Turfgrass Irrigation.

Insect Command: In that location are various insect pests that may attack bermudagrass during the summer months. Mole crickets, grubs, basis pearls, bermudagrass mites, bermudagrass scales, too as nematodes can cause considerable damage. Each pest problem will take its own management strategy and is usually handled with cultural and chemical controls. However, there can be exceptions. Mole crickets and chow eggs will usually hatch mid-summer. An insecticide application targeted at the smaller nymphs is the most effective command even if damage has non yet occurred. If either of these insects were a trouble early on in the flavour, employ an insecticide mid-July to control the younger immature insects.

If an insect problem occurs, it is important to positively identify the problem and select the appropriate insecticide to apply. Contact the local Canton Extension Office or the Home & Garden Information Center for positive identification and proper management strategies. For more pest direction information, see HGIC 2156, White Grub Management in Turfgrass, HGIC 2155, Mole Cricket Direction in Turfgrass, HGIC 2158, Bermudagrass Mite, and HGIC 2157, Bermudagrass Scale, Rhodesgrass Mealybug & Footing Pearl.

Disease Control: The nearly common diseases that may occur on bermudagrass during the growing flavor are large patch, dollar spot, and bound dead spot. Large patch and dollar spot are fungal diseases that occur during warm, wet weather. Since they are fueled by wet, information technology is of import to utilise proper watering practices, also as provide adequate soil drainage.

If the turf does stay wet, round areas may first to develop and slowly grow in size. Diseased turf with dollar spot range from 2 to six inches in diameter, but big patch may result in affected areas that may abound to several feet in diameter. The heart of a large expanse may start to greenish. In heavily infested turf, the areas may grow together and thus will not appear circular. If the turf at the edge of the dying area shows a smoky brown, rotted appearance, it will be necessary to apply a fungicide treatment. Overall, proper h2o management and thatch control is essential to curtail large patch and dollar spot problems. To assistance reduce disease problems, fertilize the bermudagrass lawn according to recent soil examination recommendations and water infrequently.

Weed Control: A selective, annual grass or broadleaf weed control pre-emergent herbicide that is labelled for utilize on bermudagrass and applied during tardily winter and jump will reduce many weeds the post-obit summertime. If a pre-emergent herbicide was non applied, and then the resulting weeds volition need to exist controlled using mail service-emergent herbicides.

Selective grassy weed control herbicide that can be used during the summer is limited. If summer annual grassy weeds are a problem, a preemergent herbicide program will be the best choice.

Broadleaf summer weeds, such equally spurge and almanac lespedeza, are controlled by using a 3-style, broadleaf weed herbicide. These 3-way mixes typically contain 2,iv-D, dicamba, and mecoprop. Many grassy weeds are controlled by quinclorac applications. However, quinclorac applications may crusade a temporary yellowing of bermudagrass. Nutsedges are controlled by imazaquin, halosulfuron, or sulfentrazone. Do non apply herbicides in summer unless the temperature is below 90 °F. Use herbicides with caution as the turf is emerging from winter dormancy. Do non mow the backyard for 3 days prior to or 2 days afterwards herbicide application. For best command and to lessen the chance of turfgrass injury, always utilise herbicides to turfgrass and weeds that are actively growing and not suffering from drought or heat stress. As with all pest control, proper weed identification is essential. Contact the local County Extension Role or the Habitation & Garden Data Center for identification and control of weeds in the lawn. For more data on weed control, come across HGIC 2310, Managing Weeds in Warm Season Lawns and HGIC 2312, Nutsedge.

Renovation: Replant big blank areas in May using sod, plugs, or sprigs (5 bushels per 1,000 foursquare anxiety). Bermudagrass seed for lawns is common improved bermudagrass, and the resulting lawn from this seed will non be of the same quality every bit that from sodded hybrid bermudagrass. For more than information, refer to HGIC 1204, Lawn Renovation.

September through Dec

Mowing: Continue to mow the bermudagrass lawn at the normal mowing top until the atmospheric condition starts to cool in the fall. Once nighttime temperatures fall below seventy °F, slightly raise the mower to allow more leaf surface. This volition allow the turf to get acclimated by the time the first frost occurs.

Fertilization: Do not apply nitrogen at this time. Lime or sulfur may be added if recommended by a recent soil examination. Potassium, commonly known as potash, may be applied to enhance winter hardiness if a soil exam indicates insufficient levels of potassium. Employ ane pound of potash (K2O) per 1,000 square feet 4 to 6 weeks before the offset expected frost by using 1.half dozen pounds of muriate of potash (0-0-60) or 2 pounds of potassium sulfate (0-0-50) per chiliad square feet.

Irrigation: In the absenteeism of rainfall, keep to water to prevent drought stress. After the backyard has become fallow, h2o as needed to preclude excessive dehydration. This is especially important if warm, bright days preceed days forecasted to be in the low 20'due south or lower.

Insect Control: Any insects that were missed during the nymphal stage in the summer will take grown to a size where damage is occurring. Apply an insecticide to reduce the population and reduce further turf harm. This is best done earlier the first frost.

Disease Control:  For illness control, specially big patch, it is extremely important to treat with fungicides during the fall months. With warm temperatures through September and the possibility of excessive rainfall that may occur during that menstruation, diseases can spread quickly. However, with libation nights and shorter day lengths, control can exist quite difficult considering of wearisome turf recovery during this fourth dimension. Turf weakened by disease in autumn will exist slow to recover in the jump; therefore, fungicide applications are needed to control affliction before the grass goes fallow. In certain situations where large patch has been prevalent yearly, preventative fungicide applications may be needed starting in early October to stay a caput of the disease. For more than information on disease command, please run into HGIC 2150, Brown Patch & Large Patch Diseases of Lawns .

Weed Control: Many winter annual grassy and broadleaf weeds tin can be managed by applying a pre-emergent herbicide in September with a 2d awarding 8 to 10 weeks later. Follow all label directions on the production for application rate. Granular herbicides must exist watered into the soil soon after application. Follow label directions equally to post awarding watering.

Broadleaf weed herbicides tin be practical every bit necessary for command of chickweed, henbit, and other cool-season broadleaf weeds. Bermudagrass is sensitive to certain herbicides, such equally two,iv-D, so follow label directions for reducing rates and use with caution. Selective herbicides tin can also exist applied during winter for command of almanac bluegrass and other winter annual grassy weeds. Contact the local County Extension office or the Domicile & Garden Information Center for weed identification and control measures. See HGIC 2310, Managing Weeds in Warm Season Lawns for more data.