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The Gateway Gardener
PO Box 220853
St. Louis, MO 63122
Bermuda Grass Invasion
Boy am I ever excited to see this website and can't wait for the magazine!!!
Please tell me what to do about Bermuda grass - our entire lot is full of the awful stuff and it is invading everything. I would love to plan more beds and do some "real" landscaping, except for this stupid grass!
Are there any barriers that work? If digging it out is the only option (one I probably won't be able to afford) - how much of my lawn and soil has to be removed? What about neighboring lawns - won't their Bermuda re-invade my yard?
I'm beginning to think the only way I can really dig into my gardening again is to move!
Thank you so much for your help.
Becky B.
Thanks for writing with your question and for your enthusiastic anticipation of The Gateway Gardener. We look forward to introducing it to the St. Louis area in late August.
Bermudagrass is a tough weedy grass and difficult to keep in check. Hand digging is seldom effective, because invariably, rhizomes are left behind, which quickly sprout to form new runners. The most effective way to eliminate it is to treat the entire area with glyphosate non-selective weed killer (such as Roundup). Replanting/seeding can be followed one week after application. Note: these types of weed killers are non-selective and will kill everything--the good, the bad, and the ugly! Avoid spraying on trees, shrubs and other plants you want to salvage. Use it on a still day when winds are negligible.
A physical barrier is required to keep the neighbor's bermudagrass from invading. A metal or heavy-duty plastic strip should be buried one foot deep and extend above the soil 3-4 inches the entire length of the threatened perimeter for adequate protection. The alternative is to convince your neighbor to get rid of his/her bermudagrass, too.
GG
