Bermuda Grass Control In St. Augustine: How-To Guide

The vibrant lawns of Florida often feature St. Augustine grass, but challenges arise when Bermuda grass invades, creating a need for effective control methods. Selective herbicides offer a solution, but it’s crucial to understand that glyphosate, a non-selective herbicide, poses risks. Glyphosate application requires precision to avoid harming the desirable St. Augustine while targeting the invasive Bermuda grass.

Ah, St. Augustinegrass – the king (or queen!) of many a lush, green lawn. It’s the go-to choice for folks looking to create that perfect carpet of grass. But what happens when an uninvited guest crashes the party? We’re talking about Bermudagrass, the lawn care equivalent of that one relative who always shows up unannounced and overstays their welcome.

Now, don’t get me wrong, Bermudagrass has its merits. It’s tough, it’s resilient, and it can handle the heat like a lizard on a rock. But in a St. Augustine lawn? It’s a bit like wearing stripes with polka dots – they just don’t quite mesh. The different textures and colors create a visually jarring effect, and its aggressive growth habits can quickly turn your prized St. Augustine into a patchwork of competing grasses.

Why the Bermudagrass brouhaha? Well, St. Augustinegrass prefers a bit of shade and a good drink of water, while Bermudagrass is all about soaking up the sun and laughing in the face of drought. It’s like trying to host a book club and a rave in the same room – someone’s bound to be unhappy! That’s why we’re tackling the problem of Bermudagrass and it’s effect on St. Augustinegrass.

So, what’s a homeowner to do? Fear not, fellow lawn enthusiasts! This blog post is your arsenal against the Bermudagrass invasion. We’re here to arm you with the knowledge and strategies you need to reclaim your St. Augustine lawn and send that pesky Bermudagrass packing! We’ll dive into everything from identifying your grasses to employing effective management techniques. Let’s get started and send those weeds running.

Know Your Enemy (and Your Friend): Identifying the Grasses

Okay, before we start slinging herbicides and declaring war, let’s get one thing straight: you gotta know who you’re fighting! Mistaking your St. Augustine for the enemy Bermudagrass is like bringing a water pistol to a tank battle – it’s just not gonna cut it. So, grab your magnifying glass (or just squint really hard) and let’s dive into some grass identification 101. Think of it as becoming a lawn detective!

St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum)

Imagine a chill dude lounging in the shade, sipping a sweet tea. That’s St. Augustinegrass in grass form. He’s got wide, almost boat-shaped blades with blunt, rounded tips. Think of them as the chillest grass blades ever. Also, he’s a stoloniferous kinda guy, meaning he spreads using above-ground stems (stolons) that creep along the surface and root as they go. He prefers the laid-back life of partial shade and warm weather. He’s not a fan of being scorched in the full sun all day long. So, to remember remember wide blade, blunt tip and the stoloniferous growth.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)

Now, picture a tenacious athlete, sprinting under the blazing sun. That’s Bermudagrass. This guy is all about fine, almost needle-like blades with sharp, pointed tips. He’s also got an aggressive rhizomatous and stoloniferous growth habit. So, he will sprint underground (rhizomes) AND on top (stolons), making him a tough dude to contain. He thrives in the blistering heat and full sun and laughs in the face of drought. Think narrow blades, pointed tips, and a serious commitment to world domination.

St. Augustine vs Bermudagrass: The Showdown!

Feature	St. Augustinegrass	Bermudagrass
Blade Width	Wide (approx. 1/4 inch or more)	Fine (less than 1/8 inch)
Blade Tip	Blunt, rounded	Pointed, sharp
Growth Habit	Stoloniferous (above-ground stems)	Rhizomatous & Stoloniferous (both above & below)
Shade Tolerance	Good	Poor
Drought Tolerance	Moderate	Excellent
Texture	Coarse	Fine

Pro Tip: Take a close-up photo of your grass and compare it to online images or consult with your local lawn care expert. Trust me, correctly identifying your grasses is the most important first step, that could save you a whole lot of time, money, and frustration down the road!

Cultural Control: Giving Bermudagrass the Boot (Naturally!)

Alright, so you’ve identified the enemy (Bermudagrass) and you know your home team (St. Augustinegrass). Now it’s time to play some defense! Think of your lawn as a tiny kingdom, and you’re the benevolent ruler. Your goal? To create an environment where St. Augustinegrass thrives and Bermudagrass feels like it’s gate-crashing a black-tie event in flip-flops. That’s where cultural control comes in. It’s all about the day-to-day stuff you do to keep your lawn happy and healthy, naturally discouraging those pesky invaders.

Mowing Like a Pro

Mowing isn’t just about making your lawn look pretty (although, let’s be honest, that’s a bonus!). It’s a strategic move in the Bermudagrass battle. St. Augustinegrass likes to be a little on the shaggy side, thriving at a mowing height of around 2.5 to 3 inches. Why? Because it promotes deeper root growth and allows the St. Augustine to shade out the weeds. Chopping it too short? That’s like inviting Bermudagrass to a free buffet! When you scalp your St. Augustine, you stress it out, weaken it, and give Bermudagrass the sunlight it craves to take over. So, raise that mower deck!

Watering Wisely: Not Too Much, Not Too Little, Just Right

Think of watering your lawn like watering a plant: overwatering will lead to root rot and shallow watering will be a drought environment for your plant! St. Augustinegrass likes a good, long drink, but it doesn’t want to live in a swamp. Aim for deep, infrequent watering. This encourages deep root growth, making your St. Augustinegrass more resilient and less vulnerable to Bermudagrass encroachment. Frequent, shallow watering? That just encourages shallow roots in both grasses and creates a humid surface that favors disease and weed seed germination. The goal is about one inch of water per week (including rainfall).

Fertilization: Feeding Your Friend, Starving Your Foe

Fertilizing is like giving your St. Augustinegrass a superpower boost. A well-fed lawn is a dense lawn, and a dense lawn leaves little room for Bermudagrass to move in. Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for St. Augustinegrass, paying attention to the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) ratio. A soil test can give you a clearer picture of what your lawn actually needs, so you aren’t wasting money or inadvertently feeding the Bermudagrass. A balanced approach is key. Too much nitrogen can lead to excessive top growth, making the grass more susceptible to disease and stress, which, you guessed it, benefits Bermudagrass.

Thatch Management: Clearing the Way for Healthy Growth

Thatch is that layer of dead and decaying organic matter that accumulates between the grass blades and the soil surface. A little thatch is normal, but too much can create a breeding ground for pests and diseases, and it can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the soil. If your thatch layer is more than half an inch thick, it’s time to take action. Dethatching can be done manually with a thatching rake or with a power dethatcher (vertical mower). Aeration (core aeration) can also help break up thatch and improve soil drainage. Removing excessive thatch improves air circulation and allows St. Augustinegrass to thrive, making it harder for Bermudagrass to get a foothold.

Herbicide Options: When and How to Use Them

So, you’ve tried everything else, and that pesky Bermudagrass is still crashing your St. Augustine party? It might be time to bring in the big guns: herbicides. But hold your horses! Herbicides aren’t always the answer, and they definitely aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Think of them as a surgical tool – powerful and effective when used correctly, but potentially disastrous if you’re careless. We’re going to break down the different types and how to use them responsibly, so you can reclaim your lawn without accidentally nuking your precious St. Augustine.

Understanding Herbicide Types

First, let’s get the terminology straight. It’s like learning a new language, but trust me, it’s worth it.

• Pre-emergent herbicides: These bad boys prevent weed seeds from germinating in the first place. Think of them as a bouncer at the door of the weed nightclub, keeping unwanted guests (Bermudagrass seedlings) from even getting inside.
• Post-emergent herbicides: These are for weeds that have already sprouted and are living it up in your lawn. They’re like the clean-up crew, taking out the weeds that have already made their presence known.
• Selective herbicides: These are the sniper rifles of the herbicide world. They target specific weeds (like Bermudagrass) while leaving your St. Augustinegrass relatively unharmed, when used correctly.
• Non-selective herbicides: These are the nuclear option. They kill everything they touch, good grass and bad. Think of them as a scorched-earth policy. You’ll want to be extremely careful with these.

Non-Selective Herbicides (Glyphosate) – Use with Extreme Caution

Glyphosate, often sold as Roundup, is the most common non-selective herbicide. It works by inhibiting an enzyme that plants need to survive. The problem? It doesn’t discriminate. It will happily kill your St. Augustinegrass right along with the Bermudagrass.

WARNING: I can’t stress this enough: glyphosate should only be used for very careful spot treatments or a complete lawn renovation where you’re willing to sacrifice everything to start over. If you’re just trying to get rid of a few patches of Bermudagrass, stay away from this stuff!

Also, be aware that weeds can develop resistance to glyphosate with repeated use. This means that over time, it may become less effective, leading to a never-ending cycle of herbicide application. No bueno.

Selective Herbicides: Your Best Bet for Spot Control

This is where things get interesting. Selective herbicides are designed to target specific weeds while leaving your desired grass relatively unharmed. However, it’s crucial to choose the right product and apply it correctly.

Look for herbicides specifically labeled for Bermudagrass control in St. Augustinegrass. Active ingredients to keep an eye out for often include certain ALS inhibitors. Always read the label carefully to make sure the product is safe for your grass type and follow the instructions to a T. These herbicides work by disrupting specific processes in Bermudagrass, while having a much lesser effect on St. Augustinegrass when used as directed.

Surfactants: Improving Herbicide Effectiveness

Think of surfactants as tiny helpers that make herbicides work better. They reduce the surface tension of water, allowing the herbicide to spread more evenly over the leaf surface and penetrate the plant more effectively.

A non-ionic surfactant is generally recommended for use with herbicides. Just add it to your herbicide solution according to the label instructions. It’s like adding a secret ingredient to your weed-killing recipe!

Herbicide Application: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, so you’ve identified the enemy (Bermudagrass), you’ve tried the nice-guy approach (cultural controls), but those pesky runners are still staging a takeover. It’s time to bring in the big guns: herbicides. But hold your horses! This isn’t a free-for-all. Applying herbicides effectively and safely is like following a recipe – mess it up, and you might end up with a lawn disaster. Let’s walk through this together.

Reading the Label: Your First and Most Important Step

Seriously, folks, this is not optional. Think of the herbicide label as the holy grail of lawn care. It’s got all the answers – dosage rates, when to spray, what weeds it kills, how to protect yourself, and even warnings about the environment. I know, reading labels isn’t exactly thrilling, but I assure you, it’s far more exciting than accidentally killing your prize-winning roses or, worse, harming yourself or the environment. Always, always, always read and understand the entire herbicide label before you even think about opening that bottle. Pay close attention to those key sections, like dosage rates (because nobody wants to burn their lawn with too much herbicide!), application timing (spraying at the wrong time is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine), target weeds (making sure it actually works on Bermudagrass), safety precautions (we don’t want any superhero transformations going wrong!) and any environmental hazards. The label is the law, and it’s there to protect you, your lawn, and the world around you.

Essential Equipment

Equipping yourself properly is half the battle. Here’s your lawn care arsenal:

• Sprayer: You’ll need a sprayer to apply the herbicide evenly. A handheld sprayer is great for small areas or spot treatments. For larger lawns, a backpack sprayer will save your back and make the job much faster.
• Measuring Containers: Don’t eyeball it! Precise measurements are crucial for getting the right herbicide concentration. Use measuring cups or syringes specifically for herbicide mixing.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is non-negotiable. You need gloves, eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. We’ll dive deeper into PPE in a bit, but remember, safety first!
• Calibration Tools: Before unleashing the herbicide, you’ll need to calibrate your sprayer. This involves testing how much liquid your sprayer dispenses over a certain area, allowing you to accurately apply the correct amount of herbicide.

Sprayer Calibration: This might sound intimidating, but it’s essential for accurate application. Here’s the gist:

1. Fill your sprayer with water.
2. Spray a known area (e.g., 100 square feet) at a consistent pace.
3. Measure how much water you used.
4. Adjust your walking speed or sprayer nozzle to achieve the desired application rate as per the herbicide label instructions.

Mixing and Application

Alright, time to get our hands dirty (safely, of course!). This section outlines the proper procedure for mixing and applying the herbicide solution for optimal results.

1. Read the Label (Again!): Before mixing, double-check the label for specific instructions.
2. Add Water: Fill your sprayer with about half the required amount of clean water.
3. Add Herbicide: Carefully measure the correct amount of herbicide and add it to the sprayer.
4. Add Surfactant (If Recommended): Some herbicides benefit from a surfactant to help them stick to the leaves. Check the label.
5. Top Off with Water: Add the remaining water to reach the desired volume.
6. Mix Thoroughly: Close the sprayer tightly and shake or stir well to ensure the herbicide is evenly distributed.

Spraying Techniques:

• Even Coverage: Apply the herbicide evenly across the target area. Overlapping passes slightly to ensure complete coverage.
• Avoid Drift: Spray on a calm day to prevent the herbicide from drifting onto desirable plants. Avoid spraying if it’s windy or if rain is expected soon.
• Target Specific Areas: Focus your spraying on the Bermudagrass patches, avoiding excessive contact with your St. Augustinegrass.
• Application Timing: The best time to spray Bermudagrass is when it’s actively growing, typically in the late spring or early summer. Avoid spraying during periods of drought or extreme heat, as this can stress your St. Augustinegrass.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety First!

I cannot overstate the importance of this. Herbicides are powerful chemicals, and while they’re designed to kill weeds, they can also be harmful to humans if not handled properly. This section outlines what gear you need to keep your self safe.

• Gloves: Wear chemical-resistant gloves to protect your skin from direct contact with the herbicide.
• Eye Protection: Safety glasses or a face shield will prevent splashes from getting into your eyes.
• Long Sleeves and Long Pants: Cover your arms and legs to minimize skin exposure.
• Closed-Toe Shoes: Protect your feet from spills.

Remember:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling herbicides, even if you were wearing gloves.
• Launder your clothes separately from other laundry after each application.
• Store herbicides in a locked cabinet, out of reach of children and pets.

By following these steps, you can effectively and safely apply herbicides to control Bermudagrass in your St. Augustinegrass lawn. Remember, patience and persistence are key to winning the war against weeds.

Regulatory Considerations and Environmental Responsibility: Being a Good Lawn Steward

Okay, folks, so you’re ready to take back your St. Augustine lawn from that pesky Bermudagrass invader. But before you go all guns blazing (or sprayers spraying!), let’s talk about playing by the rules and being kind to Mother Earth. Using herbicides responsibly isn’t just about keeping your lawn looking good; it’s about protecting our water, our wildlife, and ourselves. Think of it as being a responsible lawn steward!

The Green Police (But, Like, the Helpful Kind): EPA and FDACS

You’ve probably heard of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and, if you’re in Florida, the FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services). These agencies are like the referees of the pesticide world. The EPA sets the federal rules, ensuring that pesticides are registered and used safely. FDACS, at the state level, helps enforce those rules and provides additional regulations specific to Florida’s unique environment.

Basically, they make sure that the herbicides you buy have been tested and approved for certain uses and that there are guidelines in place to prevent harm to people and the environment. It’s important to remember that the herbicide label is the law! Always follow the instructions to a T.

Protecting Water Quality: Don’t Let Your Herbicides Go Swimming

Herbicides are designed to target plants, but they can also impact water quality if they run off into streams, lakes, or groundwater. Nobody wants herbicide-flavored water, right? Here are a few simple things you can do to keep your herbicides where they belong:

• Watch the Weather: Don’t apply herbicides if rain is in the forecast. You want the herbicide to stick to the plant, not wash away.
• Low-Drift Nozzles: Use nozzles that produce larger droplets to minimize drift, especially on windy days. Drift can carry herbicide to unintended targets, like your prized petunias.
• Buffer Zones: Avoid spraying right up to the edge of waterways. Leave a buffer zone of untreated vegetation to filter out any runoff.
• Avoid Over-Application: Use only the recommended amount of product. More is not better; it just increases the risk of runoff and environmental impact.

Safe Storage and Disposal: Out of Sight, Out of Mind (and Reach!)

Once you’ve tackled the Bermudagrass, what do you do with the leftover herbicide? Definitely don’t just toss it in the trash or down the drain! Here are some guidelines for safe storage and disposal:

• Locked Cabinet: Store herbicides in a locked cabinet or shed, out of reach of children, pets, and anyone who might not know what they’re dealing with.
• Original Containers: Keep herbicides in their original containers with the labels intact. This way, you’ll always know what you’re dealing with and how to use it safely.
• Proper Disposal: Contact your local waste management authority for information on how to properly dispose of unused herbicides and empty containers. Many communities have specific collection programs for hazardous waste. In many cases, triple-rinsing the container and puncturing it makes it safe for the trash.

By following these simple guidelines, you can be a responsible lawn steward, protect the environment, and keep your St. Augustinegrass looking great without harming the world around you. Now, go forth and conquer that Bermudagrass – responsibly!

So, next time you’re battling weeds in your St. Augustine or bermudagrass, remember glyphosate can be a useful tool, but use it wisely! A little planning and care can go a long way in keeping your lawn looking its best. Happy gardening!