Spring Transition to Bermuda Grass

Bermudagrass is native to tropical and subtropical countries around the world. The date of arrival in the United States is unknown, but historical documents indicate that it was considered as one of the most important grasses in the southern states, as early as 1807, from late spring to the hot summer months. Due to its origin, it makes sense that bermudagrass is more sensitive to low temperatures than cool-season grasses in warmer seasons. This lack of cold hardiness limits its use to an extent. For many southern states and regions, including Florida, Bermudagrass is the primary choice of lawn.

Bermudagrass has a fibrous perennial root system with strong and deep rhizomes. Roots are produced after new leaves or shoots are generated during the growing season and these are generally generated in the springtime. Mature roots are yellow to brown and new roots are white. Mature roots deteriorate during the growing season and new roots are continuously produced, sometimes hampering golf turf management. Spring root production and dieback are reported to be particularly high at the start of shoot production.

Why Transition to Bermudagrass ?

In early April, this is a common time to start to transition from a cold weather grass to a warm weather grass, such as Bermuda for the summer season.

Because the temperatures are not as warm as summer temperatures yet, the transition can have some difficulties, so it is always best to have the most efficient and productive golf course maintenance team oversee this process to ensure the transition is completed smoothly and the grass is ready for summer. There is a possibility of a few spotted grasses. The process is not always easy, but catching it fast enough to stay on top of the transition is key.

Bermudagrass in particular is one of the fastest-growing grasses. Due to its heat and drought resistance, bermudagrass is the ideal summer lawn for lawns and golf courses.

How to Plant Bermudagrass?

The most common method of planting bermudagrass is sprigging. Sprigging is the process of taking the grass growing from a field or a sod farm where it was growing and then transplanting it to a new area. In this area, the grass will spread through rhizomes or stolons.

Bermudagrass seeds are not able to compete with weeds as they are sensitive. Therefore, sprigging is the common cultural practice to establish bermudagrass turfs. As the deep and hardy root systems that some hybrid bermudagrass cultivars develop, they can compete against weeds and have a high drought tolerance.

Sprigs are typically 3 to 5 inches long, and every section has nodes (rhizomes or stolons) through which new shoots and roots can develop for propagation. These sprigs are shaken out like one would shake out straw, to make sure they are soil-free to eliminate any complications due to soil layering.

Sprigs can be bought from a commercial supplier. It is crucial to make sure the bushes are in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) units of measurement as some companies sell in measurements that equal only half of the USDA volume.

If you want to establish bermudagrass greens by sprigging, you have to follow the steps given below:

Preparing the Soil Bed

Establish the health of the soil by performing a soil test. If the test reveals any deficiencies in nutrient levels or shows pH levels that will be inappropriate for the sprigging process, there will be appropriate amendments to fix it.
Remove any existing weeds with the correct herbicide applications according to the region and weed type. Post-emergent herbicides will not affect the establishment of bermudagrass.
Use a rotary tiller to lightly till the soil surface to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. This will improve the sprigs’ exposure to the soil and thus improve the establishment rate.
Ensure that the soil is free of any kind of debris - rocks, clumps of soil, thatch, etc.
Grade the soil surface to make sure it is smooth and has proper drainage before the sprigging process starts.

Sprigging

Plant the sprigs in the prepared area by hand or mechanically by using a sprigger in rows or furrows that are more than 2 inches apart. Golf courses usually have large acreages that need to be covered. Therefore, using a sprigger to mechanically press the sprigs into the soil is recommended.
Tamp and roll the sprigs immediately after planting so that one-third of the sprig remains above ground.
Water the planted area within thirty minutes of planting as sprigs require a lot of water to produce the best yields.

Some Considerations for the Sprigging Process

Best Time for Sprigging

The best time for sprigging depends on the climatic zone. As a general rule, the best time for sprigging is considered to be after the last frost of spring. This can be in February for southern states or in March for the regions in the northern part of the Transition Zone. Establishing bermudagrass through sprigging early in the growing season will ensure turfgrass that has increased tolerance for the colder temperatures and traffic of the fall and winter seasons

Establishment Time

It generally takes about one week to see new growth. If bermudagrass is planted early enough in the season, then it will spread rapidly and cover the area quickly as it has enough time in the growing season to develop. The coverage also depends on the planting rate. Generally, 400-800 bushels of sprigs are planted per acre. The exact amount depends on the space between the rows or furrows of sprigs. If the sprigs are closely planted, they will cover the area faster.

Maintenance Tips for Bermudagrass Establishment

Newly planted bermudagrass sprigs require the right maintenance to improve the propagation rate, coverage area, and yield at the end. Given below are some maintenance tips that will help with this:

The planted area must be irrigated constantly to keep the entire area moist at all times as the sprigs do not have roots that are deep enough to penetrate the soil profile to absorb water. Irrigate multiple times a day for the first seven to ten days after planting to make sure the springs do not dry out.
When the sprigs reach 1 to 2 inches in height, shift your irrigation pattern to infrequent deep watering to promote deeper root systems.
Apply a starter fertilizer in the right ratio according to the soil profile as balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium combination will ensure deep roots and rapid shoot development.
Do not use herbicides during the establishment process, as this will interfere with the growth and development of the sprigs. Start using herbicides for weed control once the bermudagrass has been established well and is growing healthily.
Mow the bermudagrass when it reaches about 1 to 2 inches in height. Bermudagrass is typically maintained at the height of 0.5 to 1.5 inches.
Bermudagrass might require frequent mowing during summer once it is established, as it is a fast-growing grass. It is recommended to mow bermudagrass every three to five days during summer.

Conclusion

Bermudagrass is one of the most widely used warm-season grasses, especially on the golf courses, due to its ability to rapidly propagate to cover an area and its drought and heat tolerance. But the incorrect establishment of this grass will not produce as it would cause the sprigs to dry out.

To get the best return on an investment, consult established golf course professionals like DTE Golf®, who can inspect land and advise the best process for your turf requirements.