Spring Transition TRF 230

Main objective is a smooth transition back to bermuda

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 1: Use appropriate seed or mixture Reduce use of heat tolerant Perennial Rye and Bent These grass tend to stay around longer in the summer

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 2: Time transition according to temperatures Bermuda does not grow aggressively until night temps reach mid 60’s but begins to green up when temps are in the 50’s Beware of cool snaps

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 3: Reduce mowing Height Start in Mid February reducing mowing height by 1/32 of an inch until you reach 1/8 inch in late march Maintain this height until 50 percent of overseeding is gone Raise mowing height back to 3/16 at bermuda begins to recover

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 4: Cultivate Spike greens three weeks before green up and every week following to enhance soil warm up Aerify 3 weeks before expected spring green up ¼ inch tines to further enhance soil warming and reduce competition from overseeded grass Make sure good soil moisture is present Coordinate with clubhouse

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 5: Fertilization Maintain low fertilizer application rates to reduce overseeded grass growth Restore fertilizer when bermuda grass growth is apparent 2 weeks after initiation of spiking program fertilize weekly with ½ pound of soluble N until adequate bermuda grass cover is achieved

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 6 : Vertical Mowing Light weekly vertical cuttings increase sunlight reaching the bermuda and helps warm the soil Begin when daytime temps are in the 70’s 1/16 of an inch below bedknife Don’t damage bermuda grass stolons

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 7:Maintain adequate soil moisture Don’t try to burn out overseeding Bermuda roots are lost in spring

Steps to a Smooth Transition Step 8: Herbicides Removes competitiveness of overseeded grass Too early can be a problem Once applied no turning back