Managing Fescue in a Bermudagrass Lawn

Managing Fescue in a Bermudagrass Lawn

A homeowner with a mixed lawn (bermudagrass, fescue, centipede, zoysia) asked about the fescue appearing in thin bermudagrass areas. Fescue is a cool-season grass that invades where bermudagrass is weak.

Strengthen Bermudagrass to Crowd Out Fescue

• Aerate if soil is compacted.
• Redirect water if runoff occurs.
• Trim trees to reduce shade, or switch to fescue in shady spots.
• Spot-treat fescue in early March with a light spray of glyphosate (Roundup) using a trigger bottle—avoid soaking to protect bermudagrass.

The key is improving bermudagrass density so it naturally outcompetes fescue.