Field Science
10 SportsTurf | January 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com
starting to appear, get air under the blanket using a backpack
blower (it works). There will be weeds that are not controlled by
quinclorac that grow faster and taller than the bermudagrass. If
this happens you will have to temporarily remove the blankets,
mow the weeds, and then reinstall the blankets back after mowing.
Step Four: Remove the blankets 2 weeks after the last antici-
pated frost date. For Culpeper County, this is the first week in
May. It's important to wait until after the last frost date because
the seedlings are very young and vulnerable to frost damage.
Step Five (grow-in phase): Frequent mowing is critical
because it stimulates lateral bermudagrass growth. Immediately
began mowing twice a week at 1 inch height of cut. This is also
when you should start your nutrient management program
according to soil sample testing applying fertilizer as needed.
Survey the area to identify weeds and implement an integrated
pest management program. In Culpeper the biggest weed issues
have always been crabgrass, goosegrass, nutsedge and a few
broadleaf weeds in that order. A good rule of thumb is to wait
3-4 days to allow turf to harden off after the blanket removal
before you make any pesticide applications. For yellow nutsedge
and broadleaf weeds, we have successfully used trifloxysulfron
as a postemergent herbicide with desirable safety on young
bermudagrass. For crabgrass, you can do a split application of
quinclorac at 1/3 rate (1/3 lb. per acre) 10-14 days apart. There
is currently no product for postemergent goosegrass control on
bermudagrass so, unfortunately, you are going to have to walk
the area and remove them by hand. The good news is next spring
you can start a preemergent program that will take care of both
crabgrass and goosegrass.
Step Six: Finalize when fields are ready for use. 2014 was one
of driest summers in Culpeper County; activity on the fields
could have begun by mid-July but was held until first week in
August. This allowed time for stolon and rhizome development
and enough growth to protect the turf crowns from user damage.
The fields were ready for the both fall youth football and soccer
practices.
If funding is truly limited the following process will work
but with one difference, you will only achieve about 75% ber-
mudagrass coverage the first year. Soil preparation is that you
make one application of glyphosate in the late fall to early winter
Under blanket: Greenhouse effect, 24 April 2014
Day blanket removed: 3 inch tall bermuda, 6 May 2014
