Cynodon dactylon
grassy weedUSDA zones 5–10Active: summerWhile a desirable lawn grass in the South, bermudagrass is an aggressive weed in cool-season lawns. Spreads by stolons, rhizomes, and seed.
Fine-textured, gray-green blades; aggressive stolons and rhizomes; distinctly different color/texture from cool-season turf.
Dense, tall cool-season turf shades bermudagrass and slows its spread.
When: Maintain 3.5-4 inch mowing height
Cut back bermudagrass stolons at bed edges and turf boundaries regularly.
When: Edge every 2-3 weeks during summer
Cover patches with clear plastic for 6-8 weeks in peak summer.
When: Apply during hottest months
Triclopyr can selectively suppress bermudagrass in tall fescue. Multiple apps needed.
When: Apply when bermudagrass is actively growing in summer; repeat 3-4 times at 4-week intervals
Active ingredient: Triclopyr — e.g. Turflon Ester
Effective grass killer for garden beds adjacent to lawn. DO NOT apply to turf.
When: Apply to actively growing bermudagrass in beds/borders only
Active ingredient: Fluazifop — e.g. Ornamec, Fusilade II
Grass safety: always match herbicides to your grass species — products safe on Kentucky bluegrass can kill St. Augustine or centipede. Lawn Guardian checks this automatically against your lawn profile.
Lawn Guardian turns this guidance into a schedule timed to your USDA zone and this week's actual weather — and adapts every time you log what you've done.
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