Bermuda Grass...Arrrrrrrgh!

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ann Zoeller on November 28, 2009 at 11:06am

Janine, et. al

I have just bought a house with Bermuda, front and back, AND NO TREES! Why Lord?
Anyway, I'm anxious to start planting trees but concerned about the oucome if I don't 'kill' the grass first. Do I need to lose a year and wait until I 'kill' the grass next summer?

Practical solutions are welcome. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Byers on November 28, 2009 at 12:05pm

Mary,
This time of year there is really nothing to do in the way of trying to kill Bermuda grass, chemically or any other way. Digging the stolons is the only way to do something about it this time of year and this does work if you want to put in the effort.

While Bermuda or grasses in general are unsightly, actually hurting the trees is a stretch. Water consumption will be a bit higher but if you look at Greg's trees at the Urban Orchid, you will see plenty of Bermuda and plenty of healthy trees.

Grasses and trees take water from different areas of the ground for the most part and if you keep the grass trimmed, it will not transpire that much water. Often grasses are good for trees as they keep the soil temperatures down and this is a plus for the tree as it protects the root especially when they are young or recently transplanted. Prune the tree when planted so that you will have well shaped tree later and a heavy pruning when planting will promote vigorous root growth its first year, which is the single most important thing to have happen.

If you decide to mulch around the tree, do not let the mulch contact the trunk and leave a few inches of space to reduce the chance of diseases being fostered or transmitted to the tree. Many more trees are killed by mulching too closely than any grass. The mulch will make any effort to pull or remove the grass much easier over time and when a tree develops a decent canopy, most things will not want to grow under it anyhow, making the area directly under the tree fairly barren if you do not prune the branches up higher above the ground.

I am sure plenty of people will think this is heresy not wanting to kill Bermuda grasses but keeping them in check is not that hard and for the most part, they do not cause any real damage unless allowed to grow completely unchecked.

So put a nice hole in the ground for each of your trees, pay close attention to how each tree is to be watered, what it soil needs are and how much space you want them to take up when mature, how long they need to have support and you will be fine. If you take a short cut when planting it will bite you later, if you do well by the tree it will reward you later. Stop worrying about some grass, trees and grasses have been living together since the beginning of trees and grasses.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ann Zoeller on November 30, 2009 at 6:43pm

A healthier attitude I guess. I thought that if I eliminated the grass stolons where the tree roots would take hold, I could eliminate one more source of the Bermuda invasion in the larger area. Thanks for the reminder

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Permalink Reply by Ericka Cero Wood on November 30, 2009 at 11:07pm

We hand dug out all our bermuda, not a task I would want to do again, but it did the trick. Now, we have 3 hens, and wish we had some bermuda back in the yard for them to eat-Chickens love grass, and bermuda was introduced here in AZ to feed cattle and other livestock. Hardy and does not require tons of water like Rye, but will gravitate to water and grow feet underground. It came from Africa, so it is not a native, but has naturalized itself throughout the SW. Here is a great run down on the history and use of Bermuda grass. It is only as evil as you want it to be, and can only be "controlled" to a certain degree. It will survive.

Chris is right, grass and trees have lived together and evolved over time. I noticed you have another post regarding planting trees in your "barren" land of a new home. So, that is why you have bermuda grass, nature hates to have it's soil showing :) What you may feel is a problem (barren no trees but bermuda grass) is actually a solution. Clean slate. Time to OBSERVE, Permaculture principal one. You can create something amazing out of nothing, and you will! Just take the time now to really see the big picture, start small, and keep observing. AND...Congrats on your new home!!!

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ann Zoeller on December 2, 2009 at 7:51pm

thanks sage ericka for your words of wisdom and encouragment.
It is very good to be reminded of patience, tolerance, balance, and just why I enjoy growing things.

Now back to step one; OBSERVE.
;)

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Permalink Reply by Dianne Felder on December 2, 2009 at 1:12pm

I guess it depends on the size of your fruit trees and how many you have. I planted dwarf trees in my lawn area and put scalloped edgers (scalloped side down, I hate the scallops) in a 4' sq. around them then put 6" x 12" pavers laying flat and almost at ground level around the outside of those allowing my husband to mow right up to the edgers. As long as he mows regularly, this does the trick and it looks really nice too. Occasionally a runner heads in the direction of the trees and I just pull those when I see them. I do mulch around the trees to keep the soil cooler and the surface friable.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Byers on December 2, 2009 at 1:30pm

As you have found a little planning keeps the grass in check easily and gives a nice looking lawn. The grass keeps the over all temperature down around the trees and the muclh keeps the roots from overheating. Sounds like a good plan.

I have Bemuda here and there, do not have any real problem with it, I do treat it poorly but then I have no real interest in grass, I cannot eat grass. Mostly I just neglect it and if it gets near something I do not want it near a little hoeing and raking, it is gone enough to make my plants happy. To much trouble to worry about it very much.

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Permalink Reply by Dianne Felder on December 2, 2009 at 1:57pm

Ha ha ha ha. I get what you're saying. We have a very manicured back yard. Not at all what it was when we bought the house. It started when I got frustrated when the water would run out from under the 3 large orange trees across the back whenever I tried to give them a good soaking. So, we built a 2 row wall of retainer wall blocks with a paver walk to the back gate. Then we revamped the lawn because we have 3 miniature schnauzers that need space to run. The other third will be fenced off and where I do my veggie gardening (we have a little over a quarter acre). Right now the dogs just know they can't go off the lawn (unless I go into the house for too long to get or do something). I wish I could plant edables in my ample front flower beds too but most produce would get stolen, much like the alley facing side of my orange trees. Thank heavens they are very happy and I get plenty of fresh juice in season and freeze 18 or more gallons every year. I did plan Saffron Crocus in front but I doubt if anyone will know that the stamens are an expensive seasoning. Ha ha ha ha.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Byers on December 2, 2009 at 2:25pm

Good for you!

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