I would appreciate any ideas on how to get rid of (or even control) native bermuda in my beds. With all the rain here in San Antonio this Spring/early Summer, I'm having a real problem.
Getting rid of native bermuda.
The operating word is control. I don't know of anything that will permanently KILL it. Bermuda is one of the most difficult weeds to get rid of because it is so deep rooted and every node left alive is capable of regenerating into a new plant. You can use Ornamec in your ornamental beds. You will need to use a surfactant with it. There is a version of Ornamec that already includes it. You will have to reapply it every so often. If you don't have a lot of it, you could try painting what pops up with Round-Up, but it will take repeated applications as well.
plant something to crowd it should keep it more under control. i'm not sure what competes well with bermuda, zoysia? but bare soil is an invitation for introduction. or else just plant something that looks good with bermuda
There is very little that will compete with Bermuda. Deep, deep, deep shade may suppress it. St. Augustine grown no shorter than 4" will suppress it too, but this is a flower bed. I have been fighting this stuff for most of my gardening career. Bermuda grass 1,279, 999 vs my garden zip.
Digging out manually as much as possible and mulching heavily will help, and stay after it as soon as you see some come up.
Josephine
There are spots I fight bermuda.. and in one of the mature beds there are two spots and I just let it go there... you cannot notice the grass blades there unless you are looking.
There is no way to get rid of Bermuda - it is not native, in fact it is on several lists of the really bad garden thugs of Texas but that still does not stop people from seeling the seeds to spead it further...
Hi all,
We, Don and I, are getting rid of this grass slowly in out backyard.
We have been digging it out a shovel full at a time (will post photos soon) to build raised vegs. beds.
Austin has a "Grow Green" program and their site recommened after digging the bermuda up to wet dirt and put clear plastic (works better than black) over it for two weeks assuming the temp. outside is 80 or above. This cooks it!!!!!
We are using 4 mil clear plastic on a roll found at Lowes in the insulation department. Actually, it was one asile over in like the painter's plastic drop cloths and stuff.
We have it over one area which we put down about two weeks ago, but there has been so much rain I have not even looked. More rain is due which by the way is killing some of my plants. )-:
HTH,
Karen in Austin
Thanks for all the info! It sounds like I'm doing all that can be done-very frustating, but at least it keeps me involved.
What makes Bermuda difficult to eradicate is that the roots can reach 6' underground. Removing the top foot will knock it down for a while, but it will come back. Getting a "Good Luck in getting rid of it" from a grass expert at A & M tells you how difficult it is. It is easier to get rid of new plants as they sprout from seed since the roots haven't had a chance to go too deep.
Solarization works well for shallow rooted plants and weeds, but it takes longer than 2 weeks.
http://www.tucsongardener.com/Year99/Summer99/solarizi.htm
http://www.fiery-foods.com/dave/garden3.asp
What we are all saying is that it's going to take persistence, patience, and lots of work.
Thanks Bettydee.
I will go to the links.
Did you mean 6 feet underground? Darn.
So would you recommend lining the bottom of my raised gardens with like cardboard and weed cloth? That might suppress for a little while and then during crop rotation I can dig the dirt out and replace cardboard, etc..?
How long should I leave the plastic down?.
Thanks ...
Bettydee,
Read the links ... )-:
Thanks again for your help.
Karen in Austin