Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/lawncare.html

Keeping Bermuda at Bay
June 2001
Sallie Strole, Johnson's East Store

    Bermudagrass makes a thick, drought-tolerant lawn, but it also
spreads where you don't want it. If bermuda is creeping into your
landscape beds, Hi-Yield KILLZALL (or Roundup) is the traditional
bermuda control. It kills anything green, but won't harm plants it
doesn't touch. It doesn't travel through the soil. Many homeowners keep
their beds "edged" with KILLZALL to stop bermuda.

    Another option is Over-The-Top by ferti-lome. Over-The-Top
selectively kills grassy weeds in and among ornamental plants without
harming the desirable vegetation. There are varying degrees of tolerance
to this product, so be sure and read the label for your specific plant.

    If bermuda is invading your fescue, Turflon Ester can help. When
applied once a month, Turflon suppresses bermuda and keeps it from
spreading. This is especially useful in situations where bermuda is
coming in from another yard.
  
    However, if you plan to kill bermudagrass and replace it with fescue
in the fall, do not use Turflon Ester this summer. Bermuda should be as
healthy as possible so it will be able to absorb the KILLZALL better and
therefore die out more completely. Since Turflon Ester makes bermuda
sickly, avoid using it if you're planning a fall lawn renovation.