Disking Bermuda for Native Grasses

[edlegault]

Maybe burn it??

 

[Western]

Maybe burn it??

Burning it will just add Potash and allow the ground to warm up this Spring sooner and it will grow like crazy! Bermuda is a tough thing to get started sometimes, but stubborn once it is established. I have "heard" the roots can get to 20'.

 

[econometrics]

I have "heard" the roots can get to 20'.

Wowzers! I better get my subsoiler ready, ha!

 

[Western]

Wowzers! I better get my subsoiler ready, ha!

:laughing: Its a tough grass once established, but the runners are the culprit rather than deep roots from my past experience. Sub-soiler would be great way to rip it up a few times, in the dry months.

 

[econometrics]

Yeah, maybe some strips through it every few feet about 4-6 inches in depth or so you think?

 

[Western]

I'd go as deep as you feel you can since you will have to disc it to smooth it back out. Dryness will be the key I'm sure.

 

[robbyr]

For the life of me I can't figure out why you would wanna replace bermuda. Do you know what variety it is? Coastal, Alicia, Tifton, Jiggs? At any rate please just dig it up and bring it over, I could use it.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

In my limited experience, anything short of applying a herbicide or removing all of the pieces of bermuda left behind will not work. Every little section of the runners left in the soil will grow vigorously. Your best bet is to consult with someone like the forage experts at the Noble Foundation.

 

[econometrics]

For the life of me I can't figure out why you would wanna replace bermuda. Do you know what variety it is? Coastal, Alicia, Tifton, Jiggs? At any rate please just dig it up and bring it over, I could use it.

I'm 95% sure it is coastal.

The main reason is because it is not a truly native grass. It requires, on most occasions, the application of synthetic stimulants to keep it strong and healthy. The Mrs. and I's goal is to restore the land to its natural habitat - one that fosters the grow of many natural plants / species that work in constant, natural unison to enrich the land.

The other is that I have no desire to ranch cattle, but instead would like the land to be useful to wildlife first, then a very small amount of livestock in the future (potentially). Natural grasses have much more nutrient-dense forbs, blades, etc. for the wildlife - and for smaller numbers of livestock if grazed in rotation.

Anyway, feel free to come over in a year and harvest the bermuda off my land if you'd like.

 

[econometrics]

In my limited experience, anything short of applying a herbicide or removing all of the pieces of bermuda left behind will not work. Every little section of the runners left in the soil will grow vigorously. Your best bet is to consult with someone like the forage experts at the Noble Foundation.

Thanks for the advice. I agree on consulting with an expert. My extension rep said that if I am diligent to disc it often, and then replace the heavily-disced sections with native grasses in square sections little by little, we should see some good long term production of native grasses. Of course, this will require drilling the native seed into the ground, keeping the bermuda from suffocating it, etc. Sounds like quite a fun project! :licking: