BERMUDA
View our complete 2010 BERMUDA BROCHURE (PDF Format)
Professional Turf Management
MOWING
Bermuda performs best when mowed closely. We suggest that your lawn be mowed as close as 1 to 1 ½ inches if possible. This height of cut can be easily obtained as long as the lawn is smooth. If there are several irregularities in the grade, be careful not to scalp certain areas. Scalping a lawn could cause damage to the crown of the plant. If the lawn is uneven, please contact a Carolina Fresh Farms representative for instructions on topdressing a lawn. In order for Bermuda to look its best, it is mandatory that your lawn be mowed every 5 to 7 days. This ensures that thatch will not become a problem and will help you avoid that “white” color of the lawn just after mowing.
WATERING
Your lawn requires 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week during the growing season. Irrigation of the lawn should be performed in the early morning hours just before daylight. This practice will avoid rapid evaporation of water before it reaches the lawn; yet allow the leaf tissue to dry quickly after the sun rises. Do not water your lawn every morning for short intervals. This process will only encourage shallow root growth. Instead, water your lawn for long periods two to three times a week.
AERATION
Aeration has two purposes. The first is to simply loosen the soil. The second is to prune the roots. Core aeration is the recommended method and should be performed every 2 years on a typical home lawn during the growing season. If your lawn receives heavy foot traffic, it would be advisable to aerate every year. Aeration should be performed during the growing season of the turf.
CHEMICALS / FERTILIZATION
The most important part of managing a Bermuda lawn is providing fertilizer and preventing disease, insects and weeds. On the next page, you will find a fertility and weed control schedule for the entire year. This premium program will provide the essential elements that your lawn requires to grow healthy.
For spreader settings or any other fertilizer information please contact your local Carolina Farm Fresh location or go to lebsea.com
GROWTH REQUIREMENTS
Hybrid bermudagrass is a very rewarding lawn to grow and maintain if you put the effort into the lawn. Bermuda requires more nitrogen during the growing season than any other lawn grown in the Southeast. Because the grass requires more nitrogen, it is essential to choose higher quality products which will provide the desired amount of nitrogen without producing too much top growth. The EXPO product listed to the right will provide ample nitrogen to the grass in a form which is more than 80% slow release. In addition to slow release nitrogen, this product also contains slow release potassium. Potassium is key in water movement and retention between plant cells, which lowers stress on the plant during hot dry periods. In essence, this new 20-0-25 EXPO product will provide a lush green lawn which is much more tolerant to drought conditions.
OUR PREMIUM PROGRAM
Feb. 21st - Mar. 15th
0-0-15 .38% Barricade
Prevents summer weeds such as crabgrass.
Mar. 15th - April 15th
Take soil sample to test for pH as well as fertility levels of your lawn.
April 15th
16-25-12 w/ MESA
Provides phosphorus for root growth.
May 15th - May 21st
16-0-8 .38% Barricade
Provides nitrogen and more preemergent to extend control of summer weeds.
Aloft Insecticide
For the control of grubs and other surface feeding insects.
May 1st - June 7th
Armada or Eagle Fungicide
Use as needed for the prevention of fungus within the lawn.
June 1st - June 15th
20-0-25 EXPOJuly 7th - July 21st
25-0-5 51% MESA
Aug. 7th - Aug. 21st
20-0-25 EXPO
Oct. 1st - Oct. 21st
0-0-15 .38% Barricade
Prevents winter weeds such as Poa annua.
SOILS
A practical understanding of your soil is essential in managing your lawn. Soil pH is perhaps the most crucial element. Most turf grasses perform best when the soil pH falls between 6.3 and 7.0. We recommend that a soil test be performed annually to check the pH values as well as other nutrient levels within the soil profile. Any Carolina Fresh Farms Turf Center will be happy to send your soil samples to a soil testing laboratory.
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
0-0-15 Confront 3 Mini Granular
Used at anytime for broadleaf weed control, excellent to spot treat individual weeds in lawn8-4-24 .38% Eagle
Systemic fungicide used to cure or prevent many diseases in turf, especially useful for control of brown patch, dollar spot and spring dead spot.
Perk Stress Relief
Used at any time during the growing season when deep green color is desired without unnecessary top growth.
Talstar SOP .073%
Insecticide with many uses, controls chinch bugs, fall armyworms, fire ants and many other insects
PREEMERGENT HERBICIDES
Preemergent herbicides are essential in providing a weed free lawn. Barricade and Team Pro are two such chemicals. Of these two products, Barricade is the better product, offering an extended period of control when compared to Team Pro.
Never apply these products to a lawn, which is not well established!