I've never tried to kill crabgrass or bermuda ...I usually just co-exist
with most weeds and don't mind them and prefer the weeds to the chemicals.
However, this year I have lots of crabgrass and a creeping Bermudagrass
problem in my Turf-Type Tall Fescue lawn.

I got some Ornamec and carefully followed directions and spot sprayed the
bad areas. Six days later, I haven't noticed any change. I waited for a
cool stretch of weather when the grass was not stressed and it stayed dry
for 3 days before I watered it. I live in the mid-Atlantic...too hot for
ryes and bluegrass but too cool for Bermuda except in summer. TT Tall
Fescue is the only real choice here.

What went wrong ?

Did I mess something up ?

Is 6 days not enough ?

Enquiring minds want to know.

HtH

Heidi the Horrible said:

I've never tried to kill crabgrass or bermuda ...I usually just co-exist
with most weeds and don't mind them and prefer the weeds to the chemicals.
However, this year I have lots of crabgrass and a creeping Bermudagrass
problem in my Turf-Type Tall Fescue lawn.

If you prefer not treating the aggressive weeds early, you're going to end
up with a "problem" eventually.


I got some Ornamec and carefully followed directions and spot sprayed the
bad areas. Six days later, I haven't noticed any change. I waited for a
cool stretch of weather when the grass was not stressed and it stayed dry
for 3 days before I watered it. I live in the mid-Atlantic...too hot for
ryes and bluegrass but too cool for Bermuda except in summer. TT Tall
Fescue is the only real choice here.

What went wrong ?

It's the wrong time to treat crabgrass. This has been covered many times,
here. Search some posts.


Did I mess something up ?

See above.


Is 6 days not enough ?

That's part of it.

--
Eggs

-George Washington's brother was the uncle of our country.

Thanks Eggs for the reply.

However...my problems don't seem to be as easy as you imply.

When do I treat Bermuda ?

I would assume it has to be actively growing. That doesn't really happen
here until June and the plants are already mature...being many years old.
The stuff is very strong and actively growing when the fescue is usually
stressed. Should I spray in May ? What about Sept when the Fescue is
coming back strong and the Bermuda is slowing ?

Also, I have treated my crabgrass with pre-emerge before with success but
missed the window this spring. The stuff didn't really germinate in a
noticeable way until mid-July and by then it was so hot and dry that I
didn't dare spray. I waited 'til I got a cool stretch in mid Aug.

Can I try again when the weather cools with stronger or more frequent dose
or should I just give up until next year ?

Heidi the Horrible said:

Thanks Eggs for the reply.

However...my problems don't seem to be as easy as you imply.

When do I treat Bermuda ?

I wouldn't. If you don't feed the bermuda, and try not to water *too often*
in the summer months, when the bermuda is aggressively growing. Fertilize
only during cool months. It'll take time, but the bermuda will eventually
weaken.

The only fast way I know to get rid of it, in tall fescue, is totally kill
the lawn and start over.


I would assume it has to be actively growing. That doesn't really happen
here until June and the plants are already mature...being many years old.
The stuff is very strong and actively growing when the fescue is usually
stressed. Should I spray in May ? What about Sept when the Fescue is
coming back strong and the Bermuda is slowing ?

No, because if the Bermuda is "slowing" it won't absorb as much of the
herbicide as it could, making the chemical less effective. [1]


Also, I have treated my crabgrass with pre-emerge before with success but
missed the window this spring. The stuff didn't really germinate in a
noticeable way until mid-July and by then it was so hot and dry that I
didn't dare spray. I waited 'til I got a cool stretch in mid Aug.

Can I try again when the weather cools with stronger or more frequent dose
or should I just give up until next year ?

Why bother? It'll be dead soon enough. Pre-treat in the spring, and don't
miss the window. =)


[1] Unless you're going to kill the entire lawn. Then water and fertilize
first, to get the Bermuda really going, and absorbing everything it can.
Then hit the lawn with a broad spectrum herbicide once, and then again
about a month later. Most likely, the Bermuda won't return. Unless you're
neighbor is the one with the Bermuda lawn that's wreaking havoc in your
neighborhood.


HTH
--
Eggs

-There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

"Heidi the Horrible" wrote in message
...
Thanks Eggs for the reply.

However...my problems don't seem to be as easy as you imply.

When do I treat Bermuda ?

Look up Acclaim Extra and Fusillade herbicides. Both are semi selective and
can be used to control bermuda in fescue. The typical treatment is to spray
the bermuda once a month with your herbicide of choice starting when the
Bermuda starts greening up in the spring, and continuing until the bermuda
goes dormant in the fall. Neither herbicide guarantees that it will be 100%
effective in controling bermuda, but you can get good results.

Alternately, bermuda is tough stuff, and you might just bite the bullet and
spot treat the bermuda until it dies, then re-seed the patches this fall.
Sure, it'll look bad for a couple of months, but the problem will be
resolved.


I would assume it has to be actively growing. That doesn't really happen
here until June and the plants are already mature...being many years old.
The stuff is very strong and actively growing when the fescue is usually
stressed. Should I spray in May ? What about Sept when the Fescue is
coming back strong and the Bermuda is slowing ?

Also, I have treated my crabgrass with pre-emerge before with success but
missed the window this spring. The stuff didn't really germinate in a
noticeable way until mid-July and by then it was so hot and dry that I
didn't dare spray. I waited 'til I got a cool stretch in mid Aug.

Can I try again when the weather cools with stronger or more frequent dose
or should I just give up until next year ?

With a fescue lawn, your best crabgrass control will be a pre-emergent
applied in the spring. Once the seed germinate, it is too late for
pre-emergent. If I was you, I'd just try and keep it cut frequently so it
doesn't produce seed this year. Next spring, apply the pre-emergent at the
appropriate time.

I have crabgrass seed all over the place and I'm just going to let it go
this year and pre-emerge it next year.

As for Bermuda, I have killed whole sections of the lawn I inherited and
started from scratch. this got rid of the Bermuda. However, there are
other sections of old grass than I don't want to completely nuke so I think
I will roundup some of the worst spots and occassionally spot treat with
Ornamec to see if I can beat it back.

I'll never get the Bermuda totally since all the neighbors and farms have it
and I have it already in 30% of my yard.

"Heidi the Horrible" wrote:
I have crabgrass seed all over the place and I'm just going to let it go
this year and pre-emerge it next year.

You can do that twice next spring 8-10 weeks apart, if you so choose.