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centipede /bermuda grass


Question
I have tried to grow a fescue lawn killed everything tilled etc. But the bermuda always wins I was wondering if centpede grass would take over the  bermuda or should I just keep the bermuda grass and rye in the winter.
thank you  

Answer
Hi Norma,

>>"...should I just keep the bermuda...?"

You did not mention your general location.
There are several dozen grasses used for lawns and many hundreds of hybrids/cultivars of each of these on the market.

Your choice of turf-grass type depends entirely on your HORTICULTURAL PLANT HARDINESS ZONE (Hort-zone; see link below) and also on what's available and what you would like to grow given the first two requirements.  Also, the ways and means to plant a turf lawn can vary from inexpensive seeding to more expensive sod methods, so this too may limit your decisions. Seed may be locally available and you can find many excellent commercial seed sources with web-searches.
Use certified patented seed for the best results.

Only Use plants and grasses rated for your climate-zone.
HORT ZONES from ZIP CODES:
http://www.arborday.org/trees/whatzone.html

In general, there are grasses for cool climates, intermediate climates (5-7) and warm-sub-tropical climates (zones 9+).  Fescues and Ryes do not do well where temperatures rise above 85 degrees F, but they can be used in the fall-to-spring periods and mowing will have to be continued during this period.  Bermuda and Centipede grasses are warm-climate types which will become dormant in the winter, giving you a break from the mowing efforts.  In Hort-zones 5-7/8, you can sometimes mix cool/warm types if you want. Fescues are best where there is partial shade, no grass-type can do well in deep shade.

Bermuda is a very invasive grass, so don't fight it if it is well established as your dominant grass-type.  To eradicate Bermuda to establish anything else with Bermuda in the area may not be practical or worth the effort.  Bermuda is one of the most hybridized plants in the world with many fine hybrids. The hybrids are preferred over the old stock, and you can find these as sod or seed.  If you can grow this grass-type and have lots of sun-light, mediocre soil conditions and live in Hort-zones 6+,...it is the grass-type I recommend Bermuda for ease of cultivation and maintenance. Bermuda is the best cultivar for locations that can expect to have hot-dry summers.

Again, depending upon your Hort-Zone, you can over-seed the Bermuda with Fescue for a green winter lawn that will need winter care if you wish.  Generally, a Tall Fescue is recommended for this.  Otherwise, the Bermuda will go dormant and be a blah dormant lawn all winter in most zones.
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With a good fertile-loamy well draining top-soil, best quality hybrid grass type(s), 1-3 inches of water per week, plenty of sun-light, ...almost anyone can have an excellent lawn with a minimum maintenance effort.
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I Hope this has answered your question(s)!

Visit my Lawn & Gardens webpage for more Lawn and Garden Tips, Facts and Links:
http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/lawnol.html

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___ Jim Gibbs,
    Microbiologist/Botanist

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