Question
I live in Georgia.  I bought my house a year ago and I'm just now starting to work on the lawn organically (a newbie), adding compost, worms, etc. In the front yard I have mostly tall fescue with a few areas where Bermuda is creeping in. On the far side of the driveway is 100% Bermuda. I hate the Bermuda. It is very thin and straggly looking, and turns an ugly brown in the winter. I'm willing to tolerate it on the one side but want to keep the fescue in front. I had heard that using dry molasses and covering with plastic can eliminate Bermuda but I don't understand that.  Isn't Molasses supposed to be good for all grasses? Yesterday I dug up an area of it in front, hoping to prevent it from overtaking the fescue. I'm hoping that by seeding fescue now, as the Bermuda is about to go dormant, I may be able to eclipse the Bermuda by spring. I realize it may be futile. My question is: If I end up having to give in to the Bermuda, how can I best nurture it organically so it thickens up and looks good? I have been mowing it at the proper height. I understand that this is what they use on golf courses but mine looks hideous! I have thought about overseeding with another variety of Bermuda that may look more hardy. What would you suggest? Thanks so much for your help!

Answer
I don't know about the Molasses, butthe plastic can be a good organic method to smother and kill the grass in a given area. By doing this each season as you near the end of the Bermuda growing season, you have a chance to re-do the area with the Tall Fescue again.  It'll be a yearly struggle, but you can do it.  Just cover the areas where the Bermuda is creeping in where it isn't wanted.

As for managing the Bermuda, there's simply too much to write here.  The simple answer is, just let it take its course and take over.  Eventually it will, and you'll have a bermuda lawn to manage.

If you do decide to do this, then YES, I would advise that you find a more favorable cultiver of bermuda and plant it so at least it'll look better than what you'd have otherwise.

Good luck!

-C.J. Brown
www.thelawncoach.com