Question
QUESTION: I live in SC and have moderately sandy soil, slightly acidic.  I have some centiped and some bermuda type grass.  With last years drought and my inability to water, I think a lot of the grass died and weeds have taken over.
For this spring, should I spray with 24d or atrazine to try and kill the weeds?  I may try to overseed some but my yard is so big I can't afford to do the hole thing (3 acres).  I do want to control the weeds and get the grass healthy again.....Any advice will help....nutgrass and dandelions are the worst, and little purple flower.Thanks .

ANSWER: Rob:

Yes, during growing season, a 2-4D derivative or blend will inhibit/control broadleaf weeds like dandelion, henbit, creeping Charlie and nutgrass.  You will have to apply many times as needed during season.  Look at Acclaim, Dimension, Drive and other blends to see if they will do the job.

You may wish to use a Roundup type herbicide during winter on nutgrass.

The cost of overseeding Bermuda on three acres is not much more than the cost of applying the herbicides, however.  At overseeding rates of 20 to 40 pounds/acre with coated seed, a good stand should result.

Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Would it be your recommendation then to wait til a little later towards late spring to spray and then overseed in the early fall?  IS atrazine something to be sprayed in the winter?
Thanks.

Answer
Rob:

You may spray anytime the temperatures are above 40 deg F plus.  The weeds need to metabolize the ingredient.  I would spray before weeds flower and seed, not worrying about chickweed this year.

Overseeding or seeding of Bermuda is done in spring/summer for best results.  It is a warm season grass.  But wait until herbicide has acted so it will not interfere with germination if herbicide has any pre-emergent component.  A few weeks to a month afterward ought to work.

Best wishes.