crabgrass in my bermuda

anthonyk · May 15, 2005

I've got bermuda grass in the yard immediately surrounding the house. The grass guy who sold it to me said it was called "Tif" bermuda if that matters. I love the grass, but because the yard is surrounded by fields and woods, I get a ton of weeds and especially crab grass. Most of the weed killer or control products I've seen are only for St. Augustine, and say specifically NOT to use on bermuda. The few I've tried (Greenlight MSA crabgrass killer) say they're safe on Bermuda, but always leave a big dead yellow spot where I use them.
Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks, Anthony

kenmac · May 15, 2005

I use to get crab grass alot.Went to my local lawn & garden center& the owner sold me Ferti-Lome brand bermuda weeder. Mix it with water( use pump type sprayer) Mix it a little stronger than it states & spray the crab crass only.In 2-5 days crabegrass will be dead.Not sure but I think temp. has to be above 80 degrees to work.It works well with other weeds also.

BB_TX · May 16, 2005

The MSMA generally works well for me in my bermuda. During really not weather it does yellow the bermuda some but does not kill it. Maybe you are putting it on too strong.
I think probably the best way it to put down a recommended pre-emergent in the winter. I keep saying I am going to do that but in mid winter the lawn is the last thing on my mind.

fishman · May 16, 2005

BB_TX

What rate to you apply MSMA at and see the best results? I'm going to spray next weekend for the first time. Rates range from 1 oz per 1000 sqaure feet to 2 oz. I don't want to go too high and burn my bermuda, but I want to get all the weeds.

BB_TX · May 16, 2005

John - I don't remember ( I seem to have more of that lately /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif). I haven't bought any yet this year. I do remember following the recommendations on the bottle. Don't even remember for sure the brand, but I think it was Greenlight. Have bought it both at Walmart and HD. It works best on the crabgrass if the temp. is above 80-85 without yellowing the bermuda too much. But if the temp is 90 or more, seems the bermuda will yellow more. I pretty much just spot spray rather than general broadcast spray. That keeps whatever yellowing there may be to relatively small areas.

anthonyk · May 16, 2005

Yep, I was using 3 teaspoons in 2 gallons of water per instructions by greenlight, but still turned the patch that I sprayed yellow. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

anthony

BB_TX · May 16, 2005

I will have to buy some more and look into it. I was thinking I mixed it more like 1 tablespoon to 1 gallon, but not sure. It may be that the Tif is more sensitive to it than the common bermuda that I have got. Tif is used a lot on golf courses. You might ask a local greenskeeper what is best to use.