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Old 03-08-2008, 05:16 PM posted to rec.gardens
Dioclese Dioclese is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Oct 2007
Posts: 498
Default Getting Rid of Bermuda Grass

Have to go with you on this one.
Bermuda grass has 3 growing methods.
Seed. It sprouts and spreads.
Surface laterals. Grow laterally, roots, and continues ad infinitum.
Rootage. The roots, if isolated by pulling the surface grass, will do 2
things. The grass will come back up, AND, spread laterally beneath the
surface to surface somewhere else.
I've also seen Bermuda grass find small drain holes on a growing pot. The
pot is isolated on a large flat rock above the ground. The seekers went
throught the drain holes, up through a foot of soil in the pot, to sprout on
the surface of the soil in the pot.

Not only is it the Borg of grasses, it is also the Terminator as it never,
ever stops.

--
Dave

"Zootal" wrote in message
...
I do not believe it is possible to remove bermuda without sterilizing the
soil. You will never get it out of your Zoysia or Fescue, as Bermuda is
tougher then they are. Bermuda will be the last thing to die. And
sterilizing the soil probably won't get rid of the bermuda - one single
piece buried 8 inches down will quickly sprout, push through the surface,
and spread. It is the Borg of the grasses, it assimilates everything else.
You might be better off watering it and mowing it and enjoying it. I lived
in Vegas for 15 years, and we grew bermuda lawns because it grows so well
in hot dry climates. It makes for nice looking lawns, too, so I never
bothered to try to remove it. We also seeded rye and fescue for the winter,
or for shady areas, because bermuda turns brown in the winter and won't
grow in the shade.

If the garden is not too badly infested, you can pull it on a regular
basis, like every couple of days. You will probably never get it out of
the garden, but if you pull it out every couple of days, you will keep it
under control. Don't let it go a week or two, it will take over. It takes
a very deep mulch to kill bermuda, and it has to remain for a very long
time.

Disclaimer: I have no experience with Ornamec. I am rather skeptical that
it will really work as good as advertised, but you never know. Maybe it
will.

"NCJellybean" wrote in message
...

My yard is being infested by Bermuda grass. I have Fescue grass and
Zoysia that is being attacked by Bermuda grass. I also have the
Bermuda grass growing in my flower beds. I don't know how to get rid
of it. I've heard of something called "Ornamec" but have not been able
to find it locally.

Anyone have any advice/experience with getting rid of Bermuda grass
without damaging Fescue, Zoysia or flower beds?

Has anyone used "Ornamec"? Where can I buy it? I live in the Raleigh,
NC area.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you.

NCJellybean




--
NCJellybean