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How do I get Burmuda grass out of my Marathon grass lawn?

15 years ago

We live in the Los Angeles area and had Marathon grass sod put in about 9 years ago. Last year I noticed Burmuda grass growing in a corner of the back yard. Is there anything I can do to get rid of it? Will it eventually take over the yard? We also have lots of crabgrass growing and I wonder if I use crab grass killer to spray on it, if this will also brown out or kill the marathon grass around it? Thanks!

PS. A neighbor told me that if we a gardner, that the grass and weeds from the other people's yards that they mow, gets 'seeded' into out yard from their mower. Is that right?

Comments (5)

yarddoctor
15 years ago
Dear BT33

Thank you very much for your inquiry. I suggest you buy a product called Acclaim extra (fenoxaprop-ethyl). It will take out crabgrass easily, and with repeat applications 2-3 weeks apart will knockout the bermudagrass. You will need to go to a turf specialty/supply store (like Lesco) to get this product, I believe.

Seeds and stems do travel via vehicles and water. There is little to do to prevent it. It has been happening in nature since the beginning.

Again, thanks for the question and let me know if you have more.

Respectfully

Trey Rogers, The Briggs & Stratton Yard Doctor, YardDoctor.com
Chris_G_Getty_kp_org
14 years ago
I had a marathon lawn sodded about one year ago....crab grass is beginning to take over....can you help me get eliminate this weed without damaging the marathon grass?
Thank you.
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Most turf grasses in the PNW will be blends of various cool weather grass seeds, however sod farms seem to prefer monocultures and often go with a single type. Because many of these grasses look virtually indistinguishable from each other, best to go back to the source and ask where you purchased the sod. Because our cool season grasses want to go dormant in summer, I tend to recommend fall as the best time to overseed or do much remedial lawn care. What you can do now is to aerate the soil, using a plug or core aerator. Aerating is one of the best things you can do for a lawn or the ideal first step in lawn care prep. After aerating, spread a thin layer of compost, just a half inch or so. Water as necessary but not too frequently and deeply when you do. In my Puget Sound climate, once every week to 10 days is usually sufficient through summer provided the water penetrates down 6-8 inches. Weed manually as required. Then in fall you can overseed. Again, cover with a thin layer of compost (better than peat or topsoil) and keep moist until full germination, usually about 10-14 days. Mow when the new grass is at least 2.5 inches tall. And you can still fertilize before winter. If you overseed in September, you should be able to fertilize in mid to late October. Of any time of year, the fall fertilizing is the most beneficial in our region. And opt for an organic product if you can.
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MLNFLAIR_AOL_COM
13 years ago
I recently planted Marathon seed in my front yard. The grass came in nicely but a lot of weeds with it. How can I kill the weeds without hurting the grass?
jonesperez_yahoo_com
13 years ago
theres a product i saw at homedepot that was design to kill Burmuda grass and doesnt kill ur other grass. im not sure of the name but it is a purple bottle and it was like 18.95 and u connect to ur waterhose.
jonesperez_yahoo_com
13 years ago
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/lawn-care/products/bermudagrass-control-for-lawns

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