Backyard Conversion to TTTF from Common Bermudagrass

[McLovin]

Here is my plan so far:

Area: 10,400 sf, currently common bermudagrass
Soil structure: medium to sandy loam
Soil sample report: pending (July)

Seed: 50% Bullseye + 50% Titan Rx at 6 lbs/ksf

Conversion Schedule:

June: Fertilize at 0.5 lb N/2 weeks and increase cut height (currently mowing every 4th day)

Mid July: Stop mowing 7/1 to allow extra grass blade surface area. Apply glyphosphate (at 2 lb AI/acre) + fusilade II (at 0.38 lbs AI/acre) + MSO (http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/PDFFiles/ ... n_Turf.pdf per Dr. John Boyd Univ of Arkansas)

August 1 to 15: Reapply grass kill brew as necessary. 14 days required between 2nd treatment and seeding per Fusilade label.

Early September: Blanket apply Tenacity at 4oz/acre with surfactant and drop seed. Use the blackbird recommended seeding method of (1/3 x 1/3) cross-pattern with slit seeder and follow with 1/3 via broadcast spreader.

September: Water in seed for optimal germination

November/December: Apply prodiamine for winter weed control (>60 days germination date)

May 2016: follow appalachainturf's words of wisdom for bermudagrass control...Apply Acclaim Extra 28oz/acre w Triclopyr 32 oz/acre using a non-ionic surfactant... start about or after spring green up of bermuda May 1st , June 1st, July 1st , August 1st for at least 2 years not missing an application... In October apply Fusilade II

October 2016: Apply Fusilade II for residual bermudagrass suppression

ncsuturfiles notes:Selective Herbicide Programs to Kill Bermudagrass

Best results in cool season turf include repeated applications of fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra) at 0.09 lbs ai/a at four week intervals throughout the summer. Three to four applications can be made in summer. The area should be monitored the following summer. If bermudagrass comes back (and there is a good chance this will occur), reapply fenoxaprop as in the previous summer. Additional research has shown that tank-mixing triclopyr ester at 1 lb ai/a with each fenoxaprop application will enhance control of bermudagrass. This will also provide broadleaf weed control. However, care should be taken when using triclopyr ester in summer. Ester formulations are volatile and surrounding plants can be injured. In addition, turf discoloration may be worse and of course, this can only be done in turfgrass species that are tolerant to both fenoxaprop and triclopyr.


Note on my Fall Reno after spring Pre-M application

I applied Prodiamine (Resolute 65WG) at 0.37 oz/ksf (1 lb/acre) on March 28, 2015. The manufactuer's label instructions waiting 4 months after application (transition zone) to overseed so the earliest seed date is 7/28/2015. Planning on 9/1 to 9/15 as my seed drop window so I think I am ok. I did some mini renos last year to knock the area down in the shady areas and it came up fine.

[bernstem]

I would plan on three applications of the Bermuda kill mix every 2 weeks and probably a dose of Roundup a few days before seeding. No reason to give the Bermuda any more chance than possible. As a weed in cool season grass, it is a bad one.

[crabgrass]

I would plan on three applications of the Bermuda kill mix every 2 weeks and probably a dose of Roundup a few days before seeding. No reason to give the Bermuda any more chance than possible. As a weed in cool season grass, it is a bad one.

+100

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[McLovin]

Great idea! Thanks.

crabgrass, how did you prep for your reno?

[crabgrass]

I did a month-long fallow, but that was TTTF to KBG. I haven't taken on a reno of the bermuda trouble areas (yet).

I have some info from a member that I will PM you.

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[McLovin]

Today the glyphosphate + fusilade II + MSO went down. No turning back now!

[McLovin]

Thought I would update this with some overdue pictures. Some of these are poor quality from a really old cell phone.

From the renovation after seeding





Germination on Day 10

[McLovin]

End of November 2015



December 2015



June 2016. Big spots are limestone outcrops. Yellow snake is (edit) Tenacity (edit) overdose where some bermuda suppression was going on.

[edenl01]

For that many sq. ft I'd say you made out pretty darn good!

[McLovin]

Thanks Eden! Have not had to water yet this spring or summer.

August 2016 HOC is at 4" for the past couple of weeks.

[luderiffic]

What type of fertilizer did you use for starter fertilizer and additional fertilizing over the past year along with dates?

I am in West Tennessee and about to do something very similar. I am killing off Bermuda in a part of the yard that doesn't get enough sun for it to thrive and going Fescue.

[McLovin]

From my notes:

2015
9/13: Seed down + Tenacity at 4 oz/ksf
9/17: Started watering
9/21: Germination
10/3: dropped Starter fertilizer (Scotts Turf Builder Starter from Wally World) at bag rate
10/27: dropped Urea at 1 lb N/ksf

2016
1/9: Winterizer urea at 1 N lb/ksf. December was pretty warm and I mowed through New Years Day.
6/9: Phosphites at 4 oz/ksf (kind of a fertilizer)

Walmart has fertilizer on clearance right now. If I was to do this again, I would go ahead and get some ASAP. When I went in to buy it last October, I had to dig it off a wrapped pallet (of course it was near the bottom). I am stocked up with milorganite for dropping on 9/1 and 10/1, then urea drops on 11/1 and final winterizer drop. I do not like to fertilize in the spring. Hope this helps, good luck with the reno.