(623) 825-
Lawn Tips
Fall Overseeding Easy transition has a great deal to do with how the lawn was prepared
and overseeded in October. For Tif type grass, we recommend light power raking and
scalping to remove top growth. Other varieties of grass can also be power raked and
then scalped. Severe scalping and severe verticutting can cut too many stolons which
slow growth, resulting in damaged turf and poor transitioning in the Spring. We do
not recommend severe verticutting and power raking in preparation for over-
Spring Lawn Conversion In late March or early April, when warming begins, dormant bermuda begins to emerge. Because of the competition between the 2 grasses (Bermuda & Rye) care should be taken to enhance the bermuda while antagonizing the Rye. Keep in mind, the time to change from rye to bermuda is April through May. This can be done by doing the following:
1. Lower your mowing height.
This takes away leaf area from the rye, which causes the rye to use up food reserves in the roots. This is known as burning out. The lower mowing height also opens up the canopy for direct heat absorption, which favors the bermuda grass by warming up the soil.
2. Fertilize.
A light application every 2 weeks of a water soluble nitrogen fertilizer is recommended.
This might increase growth of the rye, so an additional mowing in the middle of the
week may be necessary. This fertilizer application will weaken the rye grass in addition
to reviving the dormant hybrid-
3. Aerification (poking holes in soil).
This is optional, but highly recommended. This should weaken the rye and encourage
the hybrid-
4. Reducing Water.
We recommend that you reduce the amount of watering. DO NOT SHUT OFF COMPLETELY! Reducing the amount of water will help to further stress the Rye. Remember, you want to antagonize the rye, and enhance conditions for the bermuda grass. Shutting off the water will definitely damage both grasses.
NOTE: Shaded areas will notoriously hold on to the rye, even sometimes in the heat
of mid-