Maintenance
of TifSport Certified Bermuda
Below
are suggested management practices designed
as a guideline to assist lawn care professionals
and homeowners in the maintenance of a
TifSport Bermuda lawn. Location, terrain,
soil type and condition, age of the lawn,
previous lawn care, and other factors
affect turf performance. For these reasons,
the following management practices can
be adjusted to suit your particular home
lawn conditions.
Mowing
Mow
with a reel mower set at 3/4 to 1 inch
or a rotary mower set as low as possible
without scalping. Mow frequently, before
grass gets taller than 1 1/2 to 2 inches.
Practice grasscycling. Grasscycling is
simply leaving grass clippings on your
lawn. Glass clippings decompose quickly
and can provide up to 25 percent of the
lawn's fertilizer needs. If prolonged
rain or other factors prevent frequent
mowing and clippings are too plentiful
to leave on the lawn, they can be collected
and used as mulch.
Fertilization
Spring
- When grass begins to green up in spring
apply a turf-grade high-nitrogen fertilizer,
such as 20-4-10, preferrably containing
a weed preventer such as Barricade. Broadcast
fertilizer using a rotary-typespreader
following spreading rates recommended
on bag.
Summer
- In mid-summer apply a complete nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium
(N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer such as
28-4-6 or similar. Broadcast fertilizer
using a rotary-typespreader following
spreading rates recommended on bag.
Fall
- In early to mid fall apply a turf-grade
Fall Feed/Winterizer, such as 5-5-20,
preferably containing a weed preventer
such as Barricade. Broadcast fertilizer
using a rotary-typespreader following
spreading rates recommended on bag.
Irrigation
To
maintain a healthy appearance during the
hottest months of summer, TifSport Bermudagrass
needs about 1 to 1 1/4 inches of water
a week. On sandy soils it often requires
more frequent watering, for example, 1/2
inch of water every third day. A dark
bluish gray color, footprinting, and wilted,
folded, or curled leaves indicate that
it is time to water. Proper irrigation
may reduce pest problems and environmental
in the summer. NOTE:
Always water during the early to late
morning hours and never at night. Watering
at night will often lead to fungal development.
Weed
Control
Apply
a granular preemergence herbicide such
as Team 2G in early to mid February to
prevent the emergence of spring weeds
such as crabgrass. Late spring, summer
and applications of preemergence herbicides
are also recommended, and as stated above
can be applied in combination with a fertilzer
containing a weed preventer.
To
kill weeds that have emerged postemergence
herbicides can be applied. Apply postemergence
herbicides only when weeds are present
and make sure to wait until three weeks
after the lawn is green. Be sure the product
is labeled for use on Bermudagrass and
always be careful to follow mixing and
applications instructions on product label.
Spot treating is recommended.
Insect
Control
We don't see too many problems with insects
on Bermudagrass. Check for white grubs
and control them if necessary.
Thatch
Removal
If
thatch is present and more than 1/2-inch
thick, use a dethatcher to remove thatch
in May. |