Question
Tom,
I live in Durham, NC.  I have owned a house for 3 years but I did not know how to take care of a yard- I thought the grass would be fine by itself (oops).  Now I need to revive my lawn since it is being taken over by Bermuda grass and annual weeds.  I have read that you can have Bermuda and fescue together and have green year-round.  There are two problems.  One is the mowing height.  If I mow too low I kill the fescue.  If I mow too high, the Bermuda sends up seed heads.  Second, I only have Bermuda in about 2/3 of the lawn (so far).  I'm trying to renovate my lawn right now by aerating, top-dressing with topsoil and some organic fertilizer and then overseeding with fescue.  My questions are: 1) Can I have Bermuda and fescue and if so how do I handle mowing- 1" in spring/summer and 3" in fall/winter?  2) Will I have to overseed with fescue every year and if so is an annual like ryegrass better?  3) What do I do about the areas where the Bermuda hasn't spread to yet- plant sprigs in the spring?  Thanks and sorry for all the questions, I'm thoroughly confused!

Answer
Jon:

Yes, fescue and Bermuda can co-exist.  Bermuda may be mowed at the same height as fescue, 2.5 to 3.5 inches.  The trick is to make the stand as thick as possible.  Then, the Bermuda will seed higher than the cutting height.

What you are doing now is good for lawn development and should thicken the stand.  If you wish to favor the fescue, overseed with it.  Mow high.  Aerate, fertilize and overseed every fall.  Eventually, with good soil and regular mowing, the fescue will dominate, in shade especially.

If the Bermuda does not bother you, then mowing high should be fine.  If it seeds, you are getting a free renovation.  If you wish a hybrid lawn, then seed in spring with Bermuda along with the fall overseeding of fescue.

Ryegrass will confuse the Bermuda, as it peaks late in spring before it dies and competes for sunlight and nutrients.

Unless you need to level some places, I question the use of topsoil.  Why not apply a high quality compost to feed your lawn and develop your soil?  One cubic yard per thousand square feet is a good application.  McGill and Brooks deliver to Durham, I believe.

Best wishes.