Archive for the ‘Lawn Maintenance’ Category

Lawn Care for Dog Lovers: How to Prevent Urine Spots on Your Lawn

Thursday, April 24th, 2025

We all love our pets. Where four-legged furry friends live, however, lawn spots are sure to follow. If you care about the “why” behind the problem, you can read about the three primary reasons why your dog’s urine burns the grass here – it basically comes down to the pH of the urine and its nitrogen content though. Most people just want to know if there’s anything that can be done to get rid of and prevent urine spots on their lawn. The answer is Yes!

Here are some tips to get tough on those destructive lawn spots:

Dilution.

Arm yourself with water, and follow up Fido’s freshly wet spot with a dose of watery dilution. If you have a hose, spray the area with water. Alternatively, you could seek out ways to go a little greener by utilizing greywater sources to flush the harmful elements in the urine off the grass.

Designate a Spot.

Dogs are very trainable animals, and most of them only want to make their humans happy. This can work well in your favor when you’re trying to keep your lawn healthy and green. Designate a spot in the back of your yard that’s specifically intended for your dog to do its duties. With a little training, your pet will happily pee where he knows he’s supposed to go, eliminating all-over-your-yard yellow spots. If you want to avoid having a bright yellow spot in the back of your yard, consider defining your dog’s special spot with artificial turf, gravel, or mulch.

If your pet isn’t obeying the command, or if you’re still in the training phase of the process, consider using a leash to direct your dog to the place he needs to go.

Go with the Right Grass.

Some grasses are simply more durable than others, and if you have a pet, you might want to consider installing a lawn that’s more capable of standing up to the wear and tear. Fescue and perennial ryegrass have the ability to survive under lots of foot traffic, making them an excellent choice for pet owners who like luscious lawns. With these grasses, the dilution process can actually feed your lawn, acting as a fertilizer. Kentucky Bluegrass and Bermuda grass do not stand up to the pet urine test very well, so you should consider putting those at the bottom of your list if you are shopping for a urine-resistant species.

Favor the Right Fertilizer.

All fertilizers are not created equally. High-in-nitrogen fertilizers can be excellent in the right situations, but if you are fighting urine spots in your lawn, go with a low-nitrogen option.

Do you have other urine spot prevention pointers for other homeowners? If so, please share them at our Evergreen Turf, Inc Facebook page!

Evergreen Turf Tips For Healthy Lawns in Arizona

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Starting a lawn from seed in Arizona is not easy. The heat in southern Arizona and infrequent rainfall make it difficult for grass seeds to germinate. If you want a healthy lawn in Arizona, start out on the right foot by using sod. But you can’t just choose any sod. It should be the right kind of grass for your light, water and soil conditions. The most popular types of grass for this region (Phoenix, Tucson and Southern Arizona in general) are hybrid bermuda grass.

Use our lawn selector tool to figure out the type of sod that’s right for you.

You should also take into consideration how you want to use your lawn. If you expect lots of foot traffic, for example, consider one of the types of grass that golf courses use. For example, Tifway is very popular in the Phoenix area because it establishes itself relatively easily and homeowners can achieve a very manicured look with proper mowing techniques. Similarly, Tifgreen is also a popular hybrid Bermuda grass choice for Arizona lawns. It performs well with southern Arizona’s low rainfall levels and high summertime temperatures.

RelatedTop 3 Best Types of Grass for Arizona Lawns

In general, the best sod in Phoenix is a warm season grass. Warm season grass differs from its cool season counterparts by being able to survive in dry soil. Warm season grasses do not depend on spring rains to grow but can tolerate the high heat of the summer. Warm season grasses grow fastest during the summer months and tend to require less water than cool season grasses.

RelatedHow to Have Year-Round Grass in Arizona

In Arizona, sod is an excellent choice for homeowners because sod gives weeds less space, light, water and nutrients to establish themselves in your lawn. High-quality sod is dense and has a well-developed root structure that will grow into the soil of your yard. You should expect to have to water your sod frequently for the first few weeks after you install it and taper off as the roots become acclimated to their new location. The specific amount of water you will need depends on the species of grass and any conditions on your property that add or reduce moisture to your lawn.

If you’re ready to purchase sod, be sure to purchase from a reputable local company like Evergreen Turf. Not only will you benefit from our local expertise; you will minimize your worries about the sod drying out or overheating during transport, and about any regulations concerning bringing in plants from out-of-state. After the grass is cut from the sod farm, you should install it within 1 day to achieve the best results. Prepare the underlying soil before the sod arrives on your property. Your landscaper will be able to provide assistance. Be sure to follow our lawn care guide to create a healthy lawn that will serve you for many years.

New Lawn Irrigation Systems Save Water

Friday, March 28th, 2025

Are you undergoing an effort to cut down water usage in your household while still trying to maintain the beautiful home and lawn you’ve always dreamed of? It may sound counter-intuitive to some, but a water irrigation system is one of the best ways to save water while giving your grass what it needs to become a healthy bed of bright green blades.

Get a New Lawn Irrigation System to Save Water

An Investment

When it comes to your home and property, every improvement is an investment into the future. A lawn irrigation system isn’t a cost you’ll spend for a day’s worth of fun; it’s an investment in your home that will yield many years of beautiful landscaping when cared for properly. As your lawn begins to respond positively to the flowing fluids, your property value will likely reap some rewards, as well.

When Spring Arrives

When winter begins to say goodbye, and spring starts to settle in, you’ll already be ready to give your lawn all of the loving care it needs to begin preparing for Arizona’s hot summer days. Once your irrigation system is in place, it’s there for the long haul, making the transitions from season to season much simpler.

When Duty Calls

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, the time is going to come when you have to be away from your home for an extended stay. Under the sweltering summer sun, a lawn that’s not attended to won’t stand a chance in Arizona. With a lawn irrigation system, however, you can squelch those fears of burnt up blades. Thanks to the help of modern-day technology, you can set timers to take care of the watering for you while you’re away, ensuring that your lawn stays hydrated and no extra hands are needed at your home throughout the day.

Increased Efficiency

Timers and other technological advances have done amazing things for every industry over the past few years. In terms of lawn irrigation systems, new sprinkler systems are much more efficient than old ones, giving you ample opportunity to save money and conserve water at the same time. Today’s sprinkler systems allow you to optimize the time of day and frequency that you water your lawn. When you’re able to hit optimal times and avoid excessive loss of hydration due to evaporation, your lawn will require less water and should eventually begin to look even happier and healthier than it did with your manual maintenance.

To learn more about how the ways a lawn irrigation system can cut down on your family’s water usage, head to our “Watering Arizona Sod” section, and contact our Evergreen Turf team with any questions!

Lawn Renovation Tips

Saturday, March 15th, 2025

If your lawn is looking a little lackluster after the winter, it may need some TLC. Check out these lawn renovation tips to help bring your Arizona sod lawn back to life.

  1. The first step to getting your lawn back to full health is to work out what is causing your grass to look unhealthy. Treat the problem before working on a new lawn. Find a lawn care professional you trust to help you with diagnosis and treatment. Here are some problems you may want to look for in your lawns.
    – Not Enough Water
    – Too Much Shade
    – Worms or Bugs
    – Lack of Air Circulation
  2. Take a good look at your lawn, how much damage has actually occurred? If the answer is more than half, it may be a good idea to start from scratch. The best way to do this is to use an herbicide with glyphosate, this will allow the grass to be killed off whilst still allowing sod to re-root and grow back quickly.
  3. Once you have applied the herbicide, give your lawn a couple of weeks. Once the herbicide has been down for two weeks, you can then give your lawn a low mow. This should leave your lawn short and will help prevent erosion.
  4. Now is the time to hire a power rake. Power rake your lawn, leaving the smallest layer of thatch. Rake your lawn again, this time you will be raking away debris. You may then need to rake again, you will know you have raked enough when you see equal amounts of dead grass stem and bare soil.
  5. Your lawn should now be ready to take on new seed or sod. If you decide to re-seed your lawn be sure to follow directions on the package, this will result in a healthier looking lawn.
  6. It is a good idea to add a weed deterrent before your new lawn really starts growing back. Use a pre-emergence herbicide with Siduron. This will allow your grass to grow whilst preventing weeds from growing alongside your grass.
  7. Everything should be planted now and it is important to keep your new lawn moist. The first couple of weeks you will want to make sure the soil doesn’t get dry. Once the lawn has started growing you can slow down to one to two times a week. Remember dry is not good, but neither is soggy.
  8. Once your new lawn is looking healthy and it has grown to around 3 inches tall, you can give the lawn a mow. Remember, be sure that your mower blade is sharp. Now that your lawn is healthy again, you won’t want to cut it too short.

These lawn renovation tips can help you bring your Arizona sod lawn back to health before the summer heat kicks in.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

How to Treat Fungus in Your Lawn

Monday, March 10th, 2025

Fungus on your lawn is more than unattractive. When the fungus kills your Arizona sod, it creates bare spots that leave little ones prone to cuts and scrapes. Find out how to deal with lawn fungus so you can get back to backyard grilling.

Spot the Fungus

A common lawn fungus, Rhizoctonia solani, is largely responsible for the discolored, blotchy patches of dead and dying grass on your Arizona lawn. This fungus leads to various issues with many plants:

  • collar rot – the fungus attacks the area between stem and root, creating a thick collar
  • root rot – usually seen in indoor plants from overwatering, but seen in outdoor roots affected by the fungus
  • wire stem – stems at ground level become thin and wiry
  • brown patch – affecting your lawn and any turfgrass
  • damping off – affecting seeds, causing them to not germinate

Not in My Backyard

Identifying this lawn fungus requires a little understanding of your turfgrass, because the symptoms appear different in different types of sod:

  • St. Augustine grass – ideal for tropical to semi-tropical climates (think: Arizona!), capable of crowding out weeds with its thick, carpet-like spread
  • Centipede grass—coarse – textured, warm season grass with blades three to five inches in length
  • Bermuda grass – dense structure, fine leaves, and very common throughout Arizona

Look for brown patch in hot, wet weather. The fungus thrives in these conditions, and retreats in cooler weather. Brown, irregular to circular areas several feet across are common. Individual brown patches can spread because the fungus sends out thin, underground hyphae, or thread-like structures. Separate brown patches until you have very large blighted areas. The patches and the shades your individual grass leaves turn can change, too. Look out for:

  • white, yellow or brown patches
  • gray, black, orange, purple or red spots on blades and stems
  • thin, threadlike wraps around the stems and roots
  • slimy-looking, wet or greasy-looking grass

St. Augustine grass blades turn yellowish or orange before succumbing to the fungus; Centipedegrass turns reddish or purple.

Good News

If this sounds very unpleasant, take heart: fungus does not usually kill off your entire lawn, and even individual grass plants can bounce back once the fungus dies off. You can hasten this natural cycle, of course, with careful application of fungicides:

  • Maneb
  • Myclobutanil
  • Propiconazole
  • Thiophanate-methyl
  • Triadimefon

These will appear under many brand names. Follow label directions carefully and with two applications, the fearsome fungus should be in full retreat. As with any chemical introduced into the environment, follow sensible safety precautions:

  • Avoid using the fungicide when children and pets are present
  • Control possible run-off to keep the fungicide out of municipal water systems
  • Wear proper clothing to protect yourself and your lungs from lawn chemicals

Advice

Contact us if you need advice on how to treat fungus in your lawn!

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

How to Revive Your Arizona Lawn

Monday, March 3rd, 2025
sod grass

Do you feel like your lawn has seen better days? If the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence, don’t fret. Almost any Arizona sod lawn can come back to life with a little help. Before you can revive your lawn, you need to understand what’s causing its stressful disposition to begin with. Read on to learn more!

Root of the Problem.

If your grass is known to be less than luscious, look past the surface. More than likely, the root of your problem lies in the soil below. Keep in mind that timing is of the essence when you’re trying to revive your lawn; if you wait too late into the year, your efforts will likely be an exercise in futility, as the heat from the summer can wreak havoc on horticulture. Late winter and early spring offer the perfect opportunity to assess your soil’s needs so your lawn can flourish and grow as summer approaches.

Sample Your Soil.

For starters, make sure you have soil. Here in Arizona, it’s not uncommon to see gravel yards or find that grass is rooted by rocky terrain. If this is applicable to your area, too, it’s time to toss down some topsoil. To keep your grass healthy and happy, you’ll want to shoot for a layer of topsoil that’s around six inches thick. This dark, loose matter is made of decomposing organic compounds, which feed the grass and provide it with nutrients necessary to grow.

To truly know how to revive your lawn, you need to understand the properties of which it’s currently comprised. You can get a soil test kit in many hardware and home improvement stores such as Lowes. You’ll want to pay particular attention to the amount of the following:

  • pH
  • Electrical Conductivity
  • Amount of Organic Matter
  • Nitrogen
  • Other Nutrients

Aerate

Many lawn problems begin to occur as time compresses the soil underneath the grass. The more compact the under layers become, the less the grass is capable of receiving nutrients. The grass’ roots and the ecosystem’s insects and microbes no longer have free pathways through which to create their healthy community.

Aeration allows the ecosystem of your lawn to breathe, freeing up its ability to absorb nutrients that are vital to sustaining growth and health. Gasoline-powered aerators are generally user-friendly and not too difficult to work, but you should expect difficulty this time of year, as these little tools achieve high demand as spring approaches. Manual aerators are perfect for smaller spaces. Of course, landscaping companies are generally happy to come to your home and help, too.

Food and Water

If your grass has patches of bareness, or if you’re just not happy with its overall look, consider reviving your lawn by overseeding and watering it. Find a species of grass that works well with your climate, and get those seeds down as early in the season as possible.

Employ the aid of a tiller or rake to break up the top layer of existing topsoil, then work in a 1-inch layer of topsoil with the same tool. Top your new lawn concoction with a layer of pulverized lime. Evenly spread your grass seed across your lawn, and use a leaf rake to gently encourage it into the soil.

The new seeds will need water. Hydrate your lawn in the morning, taking care not to over-water. The proper amount of water hydrates your grass while encouraging its roots to grow longer in search of more moisture.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

How to Repair Dead Spots in Lawn

Thursday, January 30th, 2025

If you have dead spots in your lawn, that just never seem to green up again, you may have an issue. The good news is the dead spots in your lawn can be treated, turning that brown into green. You can also treat the problem that created your dead spots and help keep your lawn healthy, no matter what time of year it is.

Learn how to repair dead spots in your lawn

How to Re-Seed Those Dead Spots in Lawn

  • The first thing you will want to do is purchase a few things, you will need seed (perennial rye), sand or soil, and composted steer manure.
  • You will then want to create a mix with the three products listed above using a 40-40-20 ratio. Manure and Sand should make up 80% of your mix, whilst the seed will make up the remaining 20%.
  • Now that you have created a mix you can lightly sprinkle the mix on to the dead spots in your lawn.

The reason for not just planting the seed straight into the ground is that the seed may not take. By adding manure you are helping the area around the seed hold heat and moisture. The sand works to help even out the texture, ensuring that when you place your mixture into the bare spots, that you don’t get either too much seed or manure.

Issues That may be Causing Dead Spots in Lawn

To prevent dead spots in lawn from arising again, you will need to treat the cause. These tips can help you prevent brown or dead spots form reoccurring once you have re-seeded.

  • Pet Urine – If your brown spots in lawn are caused by your pets constantly urinating in the same spot, you will need to prevent this from happening. You may want to designate a spot for your pets to go potty. Another solution is to walk your dog on a leash at different times throughout the day.
  • Pests – There are many pests that can cause problems with your lawn. Pests and grubs such as chinch bugs, sod webworms, and white grubs, can cause dead spots in your lawn. The first thing you will need to do is identify which pest is causing the issue, as each pest will need to be treated differently, it is often best to call a lawn care or landscaping expert if you suspect pests are the cause of brown spots.
  • Watering – If your lawn is not getting enough water, this may cause dead spots to occur. A common rule with an established grass lawn is to water once a week over the winter, or every 2-3 days during the spring. If you have trouble remembering to water your lawn, you may want to establish a routine. Water your lawn on the same days of the week, and make sure all your equipment such as sprinklers are working correctly.

Once you have treated your lawn and re-seeded the dead spots, your lawn should start to green up again, giving you the best lawn on the block.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 602-626-9959 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

How to Keep Grass Green: 5 Easy Steps

Thursday, January 30th, 2025

Want to keep your grass green all spring and summer so it will last through the fall? Arizona sod experts at Evergreen Turf offer some tips to help you out! Here’s how to keep your grass green in 5 easy steps.

1. Choose a variety of grass that will work best in your yard

How to Keep Grass Green in 5 Easy Steps

As you may or may not know, there are many different types of grass. Each type grows best under different conditions. Some grow best in cooler temperatures, while some require more sunshine than others. So to set yourself up for success, you first need to choose the right type of sod. Check out our Lawn Selector Tool and answer a quick series of questions to determine which varieties are best suited for your location. From there, you’ll be able to see more detailed information about each of the grasses to help you make a final decision.

2. Test your soil

How to Keep Grass Green

Use a soil test kit. Test your soil for things like:

  • nitrogen
  • phosphorus
  • pH levels

This will help you uncover any deficiencies that may prevent you from achieving a healthy green lawn. If your soil is missing key nutrients, you can add certain products that will boost your soil. This will create an ideal environment for healthy grass. If you don’t want chemicals on your lawn there are environmentally friendly ways to care for your grass. For example, leaving the grass clippings on your lawn, known as mulching, helps keep your soil moist and prevents weed growth. For more information check out our Lawn Care Nutrition page.

3. Water thoroughly but do not overwater

How to Keep Grass Green

One of the top mistakes that homeowners make is overwatering their lawn. If you’re starting a lawn from seed, you will need to water often, since the seeds need time to germinate and sprout. However, if you’re starting your lawn from sod, be cautious to not overwater.

Most homeowners water lightly every day, or practically every day. This encourages the roots to stay close to the soil, which in turn makes your lawn more vulnerable to heat and drought. Instead, you should water deeply only a few times per week. This method will encourage deep root growth.

Finally, try to water in the early morning and avoid watering at night. This tactic will help you avoid prolonged moisture which can cause disease. For more information, check out our Lawn Care Irrigation page.

4. Don’t mow too short

How to Keep Grass Green

When you mow your lawn very short, it creates more work and maintenance in the long run, because you need to water more frequently and use more herbicides. Also, if you mow your lawn one day after watering, you will help your lawn heal better from the recent cut. This often prevents the tips from turning yellow and brown. Check out our Mowing Lawn Care page for more tips.

5. Aerate your lawn once in spring and fall

How to Keep Grass Green

Aeration is the process of creating small holes in the surface of your lawn. This can be done using an aeration rake. Some companies even sell aeration sandals that you can strap on your feet! This process allows water, nutrients, and air access to the roots. It also creates better drainage which reduces runoff.

If you’ve followed all these tips and you’re still not getting the results you want, your lawn may have a disease or insect infection. It’s important to identify the problem accurately, so it’s best to take a sample of your grass and soil to an expert for help in identifying the root of the problem.

Have questions? Contact us today by phone at 602.626.9959 or email at info@evergreenturf.com. Better yet, come on down to our Chandler office located at 11407 E. Germann Rd and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!

For more lawn care information, visit our website https://www.evergreenturf.com.

Select the perfect turf using our lawn selector. Once you’ve found the perfect type of grass, you can order online or by phone. Learn how to measure your lawn and how to install your new lawn with our helpful online guides.

3 Fall Landscaping Mistakes Not to Make

Sunday, October 13th, 2024

If you are like many people, you might think fall is the time to forget about your landscaping. This could not be farther from the truth, and not only is landscaping still a priority, but a little prep work now will make your lawn look much better in the warmer months too.

Don’t stop maintaining your pool

Many people think that the end of summer means they can stop worrying about pool maintenance until next spring, but that is not the case. If you want your pool to stay in great shape and need less maintenance in its lifetime, you should keep your chemicals balanced and clean out any debris weekly. This should help keep your pool in great shape and help you sidestep costly repair bills.

Don’t think your fall lawn doesn’t need fertilizer and TLC

Your lawn does not grow as fast in the fall, but that does not mean that you should stop cutting, fertilizing, and caring for it. You should be able to get information from a local landscaping professional about how native climate affects your lawn care maintenance schedule. A lawn that is properly cared for and fertilized during the fall season will resist damage during the colder winter months, and you will have to do less repair during the spring.

Don’t forget to plant spring flowers

Fall is the right time to start thinking about the colorful flowers you want to bloom in your yard in the spring. A local landscaping professional or plant nursery can help you figure out what bulbs are best to plant now. In the spring, you will be happy that you planned ahead and will have gorgeous spring blooms. Make sure you plant the bulbs deep enough so they are not frozen during the coldest parts of winter.

More Tips

Keep mowing – Your lawn needs to be mowed so that sunlight can reach the grass roots during the winter, but for the last two mowings of the year, keep your mower blade a little higher.

Aerate the soil – Aerating your soil helps oxygen, water, and fertilizer reach your grasses roots. If you do not have experience with aerating soil, it can be a good idea to let a professional handle this task.

Fill in bald spots – The quickest and easiest way to fill in spots in your lawn is to lay sod. You will want to hire a professional to make sure this is done correctly. Sod is also a great way to give your entire lawn a makeover if your yard is not living up to your expectations.

Maintaining your lawn during the fall will help it look better and save you a great deal of hassle in the spring. The time you invest in your property will add curb appeal and enjoyment to your property. Avoid spending time in the spring repairing lawn damage by focusing on your lawn in the fall.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or contact us and talk to one of our sod specialists at 602-626-9959 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

Weed Control in St. Augustine Grass

Monday, August 19th, 2024

Of the thousands of species of grass, there are really only two types of Bermuda: the kind you intentionally grow in your yard and the annoying weed that’s invading, say, a lush landscape of St. Augustine. There is no shortage of weed control products on the market; however, the best weed killer for Bermuda grass really depends on a number of other factors at work.

Prevention & Basic Care

Before looking at weed killers, you’re better off examining the source of the Bermuda grass and considering the conditions under which it thrives. First, know that it grows best in direct sunlight—admittedly not the most ideal situation for Arizona homeowners. Increase shade by adjusting your mower’s height to at least three inches so that taller blades can shade low-growing Bermuda. As St. Augustine is very tolerant of shade, covering certain problem areas of your lawn with a canopy or umbrella is also advisable while tackling a weed takeover. Additionally, avoid fertilizing your lawn during summer months as Bermuda grass grows more abundantly when fertilized compared to other lawn grasses.

Most importantly, attention to caring for your St. Augustine is, indirectly, the best weed killer for Bermuda grass. In other words, a healthy lawn will do most of the work for you as long as you water weekly, avoid heavy foot traffic when possible, mow regularly, and pay careful attention to chinch bugs – the enemy to St. Augustine.

Natural & Chemical Weed Killers

If regular maintenance isn’t doing the trick, you’ll do well to purchase an herbicide specific to Bermuda growth such as Turflon Ester or Acclaim Extra. However, even the best weed killer for Bermuda grass won’t be effective unless applied when the blades are active, not dormant. Avoid non-selective herbicides, such as Roundup, which kill any plant it contacts and necessitate a complete resodding of your lawn. “Weed &: Feed” products are detrimental to St. Augustine proving how crucial it is to have an understanding of how specific weed killers interact with your preferred grass.

A homemade vinegar mixture, although a non-selective solution, is a safe, natural method for Bermuda overgrowth. Regardless of the exact recipe you choose, of which there are many, the best approach is to test a small patch of grass in the yard to see how it reacts. There are also other labor intensive processes such as digging and covering Bermuda grass using various methods recommended by professionals.

Finding the best weed killer for Bermuda grass entails more than just a trip to the lawn care section of Home Depot. You must first understand how and from where it grows, conditions under which it flourishes, and how to keep your preferred grass healthy as critical line of defense. Attack problem areas early to protect the beautiful lawn for which St. Augustine allows. Weeds are a nuisance under any circumstance, but when dealing with fast-growing Bermuda, proactivity will crown you the victor.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 602-626-9959 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.