Does Bermuda Grass Spread?

Bermuda grass is a common, easy-to-grow warm season turf grass that is often planted at private homes, golf courses, parks and many other areas. Called "The South's Grass," Bermuda is a popular grass in the tropics and areas with high summer temperatures and mild winter temperatures. Bermuda is considered drought tolerant and is a fast-growing grass; its seeds germinate quickly, many varieties produce seeds, and its spreading rhizomes and stolons can cause it to overtake areas where you don't want lawn.

History

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) does not come from Bermuda, but rather Africa. The Spanish explorers introduced it to North America in the 1500s as a forage grass for livestock. Today, Bermuda grass is used extensively on golf courses because it is hardy, drought and salt tolerant, low growing and lends itself well to low mowing. It is available for planting either as seed or from sod. Several hybrid varieties of Bermuda grass exist: Tifgreen, Tifdwarf, Tifway and Santa Ana are popular because they do not produce seeds.

When to Plant

Unlike many other turf grasses, which you should plant in the fall, Bermuda grass does best when you plant seeds in the spring or early summer. Because it is a warm season grass, Bermuda thrives when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees F, which happens after the daytime temperature has been warm for almost 3 months. You can expect your Bermuda grass lawn to fully cover the planting area within 1 year, or as little as 2 to 3 months.

Spreading Habit

There are pluses and minuses to a grass with a spreading habit. It will cover an area quickly because of its two types of shoots: rhizomes occur below ground and stolons grow above ground. Both shoots creep and spread, quickly covering an entire planting area. However, Bermuda grass has become an invasive species in places like California, where it occurs almost everywhere below 3,000 feet elevation. You can find it in gardens, orchards, roadsides, vineyards and other places where it is not wanted. Its seeds also contribute to its spread. It is nicknamed "devilgrass" because of its spreading habit.

Controlling Bermuda Grass

Because Bermuda grass spreads quickly and efficiently, it has become a weed when it grows where people don't want it. If it starts creeping into your vegetable garden or rose bed, you can control it by pulling it out by the roots, hoeing or mulching. But it will come back in time, so keep your eyes open for future invasions. In large areas such as orchards, it is controlled by withholding water, by plowing, with black plastic mulch and through the use of solarization and herbicides.

Caring for Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is generally free of diseases and does not attract many insect pests. Like other lawns, it needs deep watering once each week during its growing seasons of spring and summer. Fertilize in September; give Bermuda grass 1 lb. of nitrogen for every thousand square feet. In October or November, it appreciates an application of potassium, which can help it to survive the winter. If you want to use a pre-emergent herbicide to control cool weather weeds, apply this in the fall. Aeration is not necessary.

References

• Lawn Institute
• All about Bermuda Grass
• Controlling Bermuda Grass