[TN Hawkeye]

Now that my first summer in our new house is in full swing I see that I have a lot more bermuda than I expected. I assume it's just common Bermuda. I'm sure the fertilizing and general care I'm giving has helped it thrive but I'm not sure where to go next. I took a soil sample and are awaiting the results. I currently mow at 4". Should I start backing that down now? Once my sample results come back should I begin feeding the Bermuda now? I read the Bermuda Bible but how do I get to the point that I'm ready to follow it?

I really appreciate this community. The positive responses are a welcome change from some other discusssion boards I have seen.

 

[viva_oldtrafford]

I would start working my way down on that hoc (slowly bring it down - just lower it a notch for now and mow 2-3 times before lowering it another notch - I wouldn't stop until I got to 2"). Until the results come back, you're kinda in a holding pattern.

 

[TN Hawkeye]

Thanks for the advice. I sort of figured it's a little late to start converting. The Bermuda looks good right now at 4" but I know a lot of spots are filled in with fescue that is struggling. We have been getting some good rain this week so the fescue is bouncing back and the yard looks good. Should I work my way to 2" and stay there till fall?

 

[rhanna]

Basically anything you do to promote the Bermuda will hurt fescue except watering, which you need either way.
Mow low, 1lb of nitrogen per month per 1k sq ft. lawn.
1 of the best herbicide for Bermuda lawns will kill fescue (Celsius)

I don't think it's to late to promote Bermuda, over fescue. Taking your HOC from 4 to 2 and dropping fertilizer will require a lot of mowing

 

[TN Hawkeye]

Basically anything you do to promote the Bermuda will hurt fescue except watering, which you need either way.
Mow low, 1lb of nitrogen per month per 1k sq ft. lawn.
1 of the best herbicide for Bermuda lawns will kill fescue (Celsius)

I don't think it's to late to promote Bermuda, over fescue. Taking your HOC from 4 to 2 and dropping fertilizer will require a lot of mowing

Thanks for the advice. I just got a Timemaster that I have only got to use once. I'm ready to do some freaking mowing. I know real mowers are recommended for Bermuda but I can't fit that in the bill right now. Two inches with the Time Master will have to do. Once I get my soil test back I will begin hammering it with fertilizer based on my needs. They are calling for a wet summer so hopefully Mother Nature will be on my side.

 

[rhanna]

Check out the grass factor on YouTube. He's seems to know a lot and will get into the details and explain a lot of things with white board presentations...and he lives in east TN and he's promoting Bermuda in his backyard.
The lawn care nut has some good videos from a year or two ago where he experimented on part of his lawn with Bermuda.

 

[Tellycoleman]

So do you want to keep you common or try another seeded type.
My famous question is how many trees do you have?

 

[TN Hawkeye]

So do you want to keep you common or try another seeded type.
My famous question is how many trees do you have?

That was going to be my question as it came to seeding time next year. Can I seed some of the newer varieties in with the common? I'm not against putting something new out there. I just wonder about color matching.
As far as trees there are a couple to the left side of my front yard (dogwoods). That area gets morning shade but this time of year it's full sun from noon on. There is actually some decent Bermuda in that area. My back and side yards will have to stay fescue as they are shaded a lot.

 

[TN Hawkeye]

Check out the grass factor on YouTube. He's seems to know a lot and will get into the details and explain a lot of things with white board presentations...and he lives in east TN and he's promoting Bermuda in his backyard.
The lawn care nut has some good videos from a year or two ago where he experimented on part of his lawn with Bermuda.

Thanks for the reply. I'm a huge fan of Matt and Allyn. Watch their videos religiously. I was super excited when I found the grass factor as he's only about 70 miles from me. I just hope he continues to put out new videos given his new business venture.

 

[Tellycoleman]

So do you want to keep you common or try another seeded type.
My famous question is how many trees do you have?

That was going to be my question as it came to seeding time next year. Can I seed some of the newer varieties in with the common? I'm not against putting something new out there. I just wonder about color matching.
As far as trees there are a couple to the left side of my front yard (dogwoods). That area gets morning shade but this time of year it's full sun from noon on. There is actually some decent Bermuda in that area. My back and side yards will have to stay fescue as they are shaded a lot.

Common bermuda will not match in color or leaf blade to Riviera or Yukon. I am unsure about princess 77.
It will be an ugly patchwork or different colors and quality. If you decide to go with those you will need to kill everything and start over.