Bermuda grass weed control

Weeds in any grass can be unsightly. But weeds in dormant Bermuda grass are worst of all. This year’s weeds came on really late in the season, which has forced us to adjust our immediate weed control plan as well as change plans for other seasons moving forward.

Because the Bermuda grass is dormant, it is not competing against any weed that invades its space. Bright green weeds in the brown fairways stick out like a sore thumb. And once the weeds take hold, they can be hard to control. Even when the Bermuda grass starts to grow, it has a lot of catching up to. We employ several tactics, spread throughout the season to combat weeds, but timing and weather factors can tie our hands sometimes. In addition to short-term weather- mainly rain and wind- longer term factors are increasingly forcing us to change our strategies as well.

This year especially, the Bermuda grass was overwhelmingly weed free through early March. Within the last 10 years, we have seen a seasonal shift of the weather and this year we were caught. Normally we would make a post-emergent, non-selective herbicide application to kill weeds in the Bermuda grass while it was still dormant. Typically, this application would be made in January or February. This year we did not feel there were enough weeds to warrant the application. But the weeds came on late. And by that point, the Bermuda grass was breaking dormancy, and we missed the window for a non-selective application. We have more options, but unfortunately what has happened is now the weeds have matured, and the fairways look their worst. One of those other options is a selective herbicide that does not injure the Bermuda grass. Starting tomorrow we will be making this application and killing the weeds in the turf.

It will take some time for the weeds to die, but as the weeds slowly die, the Bermuda grass will slowly get stronger and stronger and mask the weeds more and more. There is a transition period that is less than ideal because the weeds are so visible. But this year’s situation has forced us to reexamine our schedule and timing of applications for weed control and start to develop a new plan. We have already outlined a new program and will be discussing it with our regional weed scientists and agronomists.

Nothing works out perfectly every time. The same program that has worked in past years looks as though it needs to be tweaked. We have largely controlled weeds well this year, but the barrier ran out at a different time than we expected. We will make the adjustments and be better in the future.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not hit into the Grounds department staff because it is dangerous. Please be sure that we see you before hitting your shot.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Golf Cart tips

 

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org