Frozen Bermuda Turf
I routinely hit the road to visit our clients and insure our company is providing metro Atlanta with the ultimate lawn care service. I look at weed populations, turf density, color of the turf and the overall quality of the turf. On Tuesday, 2/17 I spent the day in the Southern Atlanta suburbs. I was particularly troubled by one Bermuda lawn that I visited in Fayetteville. As I pulled up to the lawn I noticed that the Bermuda was a very dull brown color. Healthy dormant Bermuda is usually more of a golden color. The grass was mowed much too low for this time of the year. The turf was thin and there was a layer of thatch about a half inch thick covering the ground. Keep in mind that we provide the nutrition / fertilizer, weed control, lime and insecticide to the lawn. We do not provide any landscaping services including mowing. As I stepped onto the lawn the grass felt brittle and crunchy under my feet. Not a good sign. I noticed that the Bermuda on the sides of the home was much higher than the low cut Bermuda in the front of the House. There was a distinct line caused by the difference in the height of the turf. The Bermuda on the sides displayed the usual golden color and it was soft and pliable under my feet. Why was the Bermuda in the front of the house in such poor shape? The lawn was scalped and the mulch was not bagged. A hard freeze hit and the Bermuda did not have it’s winter coat on. The Bermuda was freeze dried. This lawn definitely has winter kill. The lawn is severely damaged and it will take a lot of work to get it green this summer. The thick layer of thatch will provide a perfect breeding environment for the germination of an array of pesky, broad leaf weeds.
The recommended mowing height for Bermuda during the GROWING SEASON is 1 inch to 1.5 inches. As winter approaches, Bermuda should be allowed to grow to a height of at least two inches. This height should be maintained throughout the winter months. The average last freeze date in Atlanta is around March 25th and has occurred as late as April 6th. Please DO NOT make the mistake of attempting to bring Bermuda out of dormancy too quick! If you want to ensure your Bermuda or Zoysia will be healthy this year and free of winter damage, wait until about April 1st to scalp it. Your neighbors may be scalping their lawns in early March. They may get lucky and have a bright green lawn before you mow for the first time of the year… but the odds are in your favor. And, don’t listen to the superintendent at the golf course. You have a residential lawn not a putting green. Follow the mowing and watering instructions under the “Tips” section of our website, have us provide your lawn care for the year and you will have a lawn you will be proud of. Guaranteed!
Kevin Bryan