Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Bermuda Grass Scourge

Gardeners who have never experienced bermuda grass don't seem to really understand how difficult this grass is to control. It is tenacious to the max. Outside of repeatedly dousing it with herbicides, the only way I've been able to successfully battle it is to pick out the underground stolons every time I turn the soil. It's tedious and takes months, if not years, to eliminate this grass from gardens. And I can never let my guard down because it will creep back from many feet away.

Many folks have suggested smothering it out. I've never had much success with that method because this is what this grass does when covered.....,,.

Metal roof panel, trash cover removed 

What it looked like when I lifted the roof panel. 


Close up look. Amazing how it survived. 

That piece of roofing has been sitting on that spot for well over a year, with various trash piled atop it. Today I removed the debris and heaved the roof panel aside, finding lots of bermuda grass stolons and sun starved leaves still alive underneath. This grass simply doesn't know about quitting. Look carefully and you'll see that nothing else survived. 

Needless to say, I'm taking revenge upon this grass by pulling it out. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It will only creep back, but it feels good eliminating at least this one little patch for a while. I will win my little micro battles when I can. 


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2 comments:

  1. LeighJune 19, 2019 at 1:29 AM

    I feel your frustration. Every time I complain about Bermuda grass (they call it "wiregrass" round here) someone suggests I try mulch. How does one explain that a grass that grows indeterminately has no respect for mulch? It's basically why the "Back To Eden" method doesn't really work for me. What's really annoying is that Bermuda is the only summer perennial pasture seed sold around here. Odd, because my goats really don't care for it. Very popular for lawns too. I don't know if I've ever been successful eliminating anywhere. The best one can do is try to keep far enough ahead of it to get a harvest.

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  2. Scott (Geet)June 19, 2019 at 3:34 PM

    Su, I'm commenting here as I didn't see another way to contact you. I just wanted to thank you for the time and effort you've put into documenting your journey, experiences, and learnings. I feel I've stumbled across a bottomless treasure trove of information that I will be making use of in the coming years.

    I'm currently planning my move to a 2 acre forested lot in Orchidland Estates, where I hope to slowly create a life similar to yours. I have a great backlog of posts to read through and look forward to your continued story. Thanks again, and happy to e-meet you!

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