Tierra Verde

Method: Plant when soil moisture is adequate. For summer plantings, do not plant when ambient temperatures are expected to be above the middle 90’s. If weeds become problematic, periodically mow to reduce competition with the seedling bermuda. To further reduce weed competition, delay the application of fertilizers containing nitrogen until the bermuda seedlings have fully emerged.

Broadcast: Clean-Tilled Ground

• Prepare the ground well in advance. This allows the first flush of crabgrass and other weed competition to germinate and be killed by an application of a non-residual and non-selective herbicide like glyphosate before planting Tierra Verde.
• Clean-till the area with a disc, then level and smooth the area. Use a culti-packer to prepare a firm seedbed before planting. Several passes may be necessary to achieve proper firmness.
• Broadcast the seed and cultipack once more to get good seed to soil contact. Bermudagrass seed will not germinate in a fluffy, loose seedbed.

For No-Till Drill

• Take added precaution to ensure seed are not dropping too deep; 1/8" or less is ideal. One method to prevent deep planting is to pull the drill’s drop tubes out of the openers and let the seed fall behind the opener to be pressed into the loosened soil by the press wheel.
• Ensure that existing residue is not too thick for seedlings to emerge and that the seed is making good soil contact beneath the residue.

To Thicken Existing Stands

If seed are to be broadcast, loosen the soil surface in the bare areas prior to seeding by scratching with a finger drag or by light disking. After seed are broadcasted, use a culti-packer or similar roller device to press the seed into the soil and to firm the ground. If using a no-till drill, see instructions for No-Till Drill.

MANAGEMENT:

For Forage: Once plants begin to spread, apply 50-60 lbs. of nitrogen per acre. Delay grazing or hay cutting until forage is 6” to 8” tall. Do not graze or clip for hay shorter than 2”. After the stand is established, apply 50-75 lbs. of nitrogen per acre for each cutting of hay. If grazed, apply up to 150 lbs/acre N annually in split applications beginning at spring green-up and again once or twice during summer. To help prevent winter injury, apply the last nitrogen fertilizer application a minimum of 6-8 weeks before a killing frost. Maintaining medium to high levels of phosphorus and potassium in the soil throughout the growing season is key to disease prevention and bermuda stand survival. If season ending soil levels are low, apply phosphorus and/or potassium fertilizer per soil test recommendation in late summer/early fall to help prevent winter injury. When grazed, rotate animals more often during periods of drought stress.

Special Note: In the establishment year, leave at least 4” of growth entering winter. In first year bermuda, late cuttings of hay (6-8 weeks before a killing frost) and/or overseeding with winter annuals can weaken and potentially thin the stand. Once the bermuda is well established (2nd year and older stands), overseeding with winter annuals is acceptable.

For Maintained Areas: Delay 1st mowing until grass is 3 inches in height. After establishment, maintain grass at a height of 1.5 - 3 inches.Remove no more than 1/3 of the leaf area per mowing. Apply 3-5 lbs. Nitrogen/1000 sq. ft. (120 – 200 lbs./A) annually in split applications beginning at spring green-up and periodically during the summer months. Apply the last nitrogen fertilizer application a minimum of 8 weeks before a killing frost. Apply lime, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer per soil test recommendations.