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Field grass to lawn turf

Posted on 7/12/23 at 7:10 am
Posted by BoogaBear
Member since Jul 2013
7021 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 7:10 am
I've got about 4-5 acres of grass directly around my house that is basically just plain field grass. Full of Bahia, some crabgrass, mix of other broadleaf stuff as well. Mostly Bahia.

I don't mind it other than the bahia looks like shite and needs to be mowed at least once a week to keep it from blasting up.

Getting it under control on 4-5 acres probably isn't feasible but at least an acre or 2 directly surrounding the house is my goal.

My initial plan is to start at the house with 2-4D and work my way out. Pre emergent in the fall. See what that does? I may even hit it with MSMA, it won't bother me if I stunt whatever turf grass is there.
Posted by Drunken Crawfish
Member since Apr 2017
3883 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 8:45 am to
quote:

MSMA


This should knock back pretty much everything but Bermuda grass.

there is still a good bit of time in the growing season to help establish grasses, but it'll require a lot of fertilizer.
Posted by CatfishJohn
Member since Jun 2020
19055 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 8:59 am to
Does MSMA kill fescue?
Posted by Farmtiger
West "By God" Monroe
Member since Dec 2003
2969 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 9:28 am to
What grass do you ultimately want to end up with?

I have Bermuda and sprayed MSM. It whacked the Bahai and everything else except the Bermuda.

I have a buddy that has I think centipede and he swears by 2-4D.
This post was edited on 7/12/23 at 9:29 am
Posted by BoogaBear
Member since Jul 2013
7021 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 9:31 am to
quote:

What grass do you ultimately want to end up with?


At this point I don't care

Whatever takes hold can win the battle.
Posted by ronk
Member since Jan 2015
7541 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 10:39 am to
Bahia or bermuda are going to be your best option. Both will need to be mowed once a week though.
Posted by Quatrepot
Member since Jun 2023
4154 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:06 pm to
Bahia is tough on blades (and cows’ teeth). It will grow on a hungry hill like nothing else though.
Posted by Farmtiger
West "By God" Monroe
Member since Dec 2003
2969 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:18 pm to
quote:

Bahia


Bahia looks like it needs to be mowed every two days

Bermuda looks like it needs to be mowed every week.

I don’t want anything to do with Bahia!
Posted by BoogaBear
Member since Jul 2013
7021 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:30 pm to
This is my point exactly
Posted by heatom2
At the plant, baw.
Member since Nov 2010
13060 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:42 pm to
Is Bahia really that bad? I have a new construction home and was looking for something to plant in this damn clay.
Posted by BoogaBear
Member since Jul 2013
7021 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:44 pm to
Farmtiger is right. I cut mine as low as I can, 2" and 2 days later there's foot tall seed heads.
Posted by heatom2
At the plant, baw.
Member since Nov 2010
13060 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:45 pm to
Well that sucks.
Posted by lgtiger
LA
Member since May 2005
1456 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:45 pm to
quote:

MSMA


MSMA will stunt the Bahia some but MSM would be a better choice , will have to respray but MSM can do a good job on your way to a Bermuda sanctuary
Posted by Quatrepot
Member since Jun 2023
4154 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 1:23 pm to
quote:

MSMA will stunt the Bahia some
Agree. It will turn it brown but not kill it- often.
Posted by ronk
Member since Jan 2015
7541 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 1:54 pm to
If mowing is your issue you can use a PGR on it.
Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
21411 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 3:05 pm to
There are some folks over on thelawnforum.com that have done residential turf grass on several acres. I think some over there have done up to like 10-12 acres of pristine turf grass.

You might be able to find a lot of tips/suggestions over there as you can't do things the same on such large scales as you can on small lawns.
Posted by Farmtiger
West "By God" Monroe
Member since Dec 2003
2969 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 3:18 pm to
quote:

was looking for something to plant in this damn clay.


Bermuda will grow on your concrete!

If I had a small yard that I could sod, I would do Zoysia.

However I have 4-5 acres of ground and Bermuda is what I’m trying for. I have a ton of Bahia and trialed an acre this year with MSM. It rocked, I will hit it earlier next year and do multiple treatments on the rest of my property. Over seed with Bermuda and fertilizer to hopefully get the results I’m looking for.
Posted by heatom2
At the plant, baw.
Member since Nov 2010
13060 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 3:31 pm to
quote:

Bermuda will grow on your concrete!


I worry about the amount of shade. Maybe I can go with bermuda in the sun and some bahia/zoysia in the shade
Posted by BoogaBear
Member since Jul 2013
7021 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 8:42 pm to
Just do zoysia. It will handle the shade and sun.

I just ordered some MSM to put down. I'll start at the house and work my way out. See how far it makes it and how much of a difference it makes.

I have a 5 gallon sprayer, how much grass will 5 gallons cover? Trying to split the bottle in half so I can get 2 applications.

This is what I got

ETA: shite read the label online, I can spray 2 acres for an ounce basically. Guess I'll get too it this fall with that.

Best course of action, MSM > pre emergent > spring overseed and fertilize?
This post was edited on 7/12/23 at 9:12 pm
Posted by Marciano1
Marksville, LA
Member since Jun 2009
19800 posts
Posted on 7/12/23 at 9:01 pm to
I have Bahia grass.


I hate it.


How do I eliminate it forever?
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