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Simple Tips For Getting Rid Of Weeds In A Bermuda Grass Lawn (& Mistakes To Avoid)

There's nothing quite as inviting as the lush, thick growth of a healthy Bermuda grass lawn. It just invites you to kick off your shoes and let your toes sink into all those soft blades of grass. You might be aware that this is also one of the best grasses to handle extreme heat and that the aggressive growth of this turf species means that it has the ability to suppress a lot of weed growth. But if there are bare patches, those pesky weeds can still come through. That's why you need some simple tips on how to get rid of any weed growth while also avoiding some common mistakes when eliminating these from your lawn. Just keep in mind that this lawn species is considered invasive in North Carolina, California, Florida, Arizona, and some other states.

If you already have an established Bermuda grass lawn, you can get rid of any weeds by using both a pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicide at the correct times of the year. You can also manually pull up any weeds as soon as you spot them and make sure you mow at the correct height. Keeping your lawn well-fertilized is another way to ensure good weed control. Common mistakes to avoid include not mowing your lawn at the recommended height, allowing the grass to become stressed due to lack of water, and using dangerous, non-selective herbicide products containing glyphosate, as these are considered carcinogenic and even banned in some U.S. states.

How to get rid of weeds in your Bermuda grass lawn

One of the best ways to rid your lawn of weeds is to stop them from growing in the first place. You can do this by applying a pre-emergent herbicide around mid-February to mid-March. Make sure you read the label so that your selected herbicide, like one similar to Gordon's Ornamec 170 Grass Herbicide, controls the weeds that are commonly found in Bermuda lawns such as crabgrass, nutsedge, clover, and dandelion. Once the weather warms up and some weeds start to appear, you'll have to use a post-emergent herbicide to control these. Once again, read the label carefully and follow the directions diligently.

Another tip is to mow your lawn at a height of 0.5 to 1.5 inches to create a nice dense mat, which should prevent a lot of weeds from emerging. In fact, if you hate mowing, choosing this type of grass for your lawn is a big mistake. If your lawn does have some weeds, make sure you bag the clippings and dispose of them to get rid of the weed seeds. Adding these clippings to your compost is one mistake to avoid, as this will spread the seeds around your garden unless your compost gets hot enough to kill them. You also want to ensure that you keep your Bermuda grass watered during dry periods because a healthy lawn will easily outcompete any weeds that want to grow. Finally, keeping your Bermuda grass lush and green with these must-know fertilizing tips should prevent any weeds from taking over. 

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