duffer
Platinum Member
I'm late to this party, but I have 5 acres of bermuda (used to be 10, sold 5) and even with a small amount of bermuda, if cared for properly will spread and fill in nicely in about 2 seasons.
I agree with those that say get a soil sample. In fact, get 2-4 samples over the 5 acres as you may need different proportions of chemicals to get the soil in the proper balance. Bermuda needs a pH of about 6.8-7.2. If you're outside of that, you can spend all the money you want on fertilizer and it won't take. I get 2 soil tests a year. One in spring and one in fall. If you need Lime, it's best to spread it in the fall, as it takes 3-4 months to have an effect.
It's not too late to over seed bermuda. If you can scarify the ground before over seeding it would be helpful for the seed to germinate. Don't aerate the yard after over seeding. Bermuda shouldn't be planted more than ¼" deep.
If you over seed, don't use pre-emergent until you've mowed the new bermuda 2-3 times.
Use a good herbicide to kill weeds. You can get MSMA plus online. It's strong so don't over do the dosage. ½ gal per 50 gal of water. Kills almost all weeds except grasses like Johnson grass.
For the first year or so, apply pre-emergent 2-3 times a year to prevent weeds from invading the lawn before they come up.
Once the bermuda is up and growing push it hard with fertilizer. Consult soil test to make sure you get the right kind of fertilizer. Augment with 34-0-0 (urea) to accelerate growth.
Just my 2¢.
I agree with those that say get a soil sample. In fact, get 2-4 samples over the 5 acres as you may need different proportions of chemicals to get the soil in the proper balance. Bermuda needs a pH of about 6.8-7.2. If you're outside of that, you can spend all the money you want on fertilizer and it won't take. I get 2 soil tests a year. One in spring and one in fall. If you need Lime, it's best to spread it in the fall, as it takes 3-4 months to have an effect.
It's not too late to over seed bermuda. If you can scarify the ground before over seeding it would be helpful for the seed to germinate. Don't aerate the yard after over seeding. Bermuda shouldn't be planted more than ¼" deep.
If you over seed, don't use pre-emergent until you've mowed the new bermuda 2-3 times.
Use a good herbicide to kill weeds. You can get MSMA plus online. It's strong so don't over do the dosage. ½ gal per 50 gal of water. Kills almost all weeds except grasses like Johnson grass.
For the first year or so, apply pre-emergent 2-3 times a year to prevent weeds from invading the lawn before they come up.
Once the bermuda is up and growing push it hard with fertilizer. Consult soil test to make sure you get the right kind of fertilizer. Augment with 34-0-0 (urea) to accelerate growth.
Just my 2¢.
)...but one day this goofy neighbor kid comes over wanting to ride the cart. So my friend pulls him around until he passes the top of driveway, reaches back pulling out the cart pin.
