I Have Bermuda Grass In My Lawn In Big Patches….
Elizabeth Asked
I have Bermuda grass in my lawn in big patches. How can I get rid of it?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Elizabeth in Kentucky: Once Bermuda grass, Cynodon dactylon, finds its way into our lawns it is difficult to completely eliminate. This grass is considered an invasive perennial. When winter arrives it goes dormant and turns brown. Control will be an ongoing task and methods will depend on the amount of space you are dealing with. Hand pulling is the most environmentally friendly option and is feasible in a small space or a garden bed but not in a large lawn. Unless you get the roots, hand pulling is not worth the effort. If you want to spot spray with glyphosate you will have to wait until the spring while it is actively growing. This is a nonselective product, meaning it will kill anything it comes into contact with. If you decide to spray remember it will take several applications and still you may never be rid of this grass especially if your neighbors have the same problem, but the idea is just to keep it in check so it does not take over any desirable turf grass. Bermuda grass is spread by rhizomes and seed, so removing or spraying it before it flowers will help reduce future spread.
