1. Spring Transition
TRF 230

2. Main objective is a smooth transition back to bermuda

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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