Converting from Turf to Desert Landscape

Late summer is the best time to kill a bermudagrass lawn because foliar-applied, translocated herbicides move into the roots and rhizomes at this time of year. For other perennial turfgrass species, herbicide treatments should be made when the grass is actively growing. Killing the turfgrass involves the following steps.

1. Closely mow or scalp the grass.
2. Apply 0.5 to 1 inch of water to stimulate growth.
3. Apply a postemergence, translocated grass herbicide when the grass is actively growing and the turf is a bright green color. Herbicides that can be used include: glyphosate, clethodim, fluazifop-p-butyl, and sethoxydim. These herbicides usually kill about 85 to 95% of bermudagrass and other turfgrass species.
4. Irrigate the turf area a second time about two to three weeks after the initial herbicide treatment to stimulate regrowth of the surviving grass.
5. Retreat the remaining green turf.

After the turfgrass has died, the dead turf and thatch can be removed, the site can be prepared, an irrigation system and a mulch can be installed, and ornamentals can be planted. If bermudgrass reappears in irrigated areas around desirable ornamentals, spot treat the grass with clethodim, fluazifop-p-butyl, or sethoxydim because these herbicides will not affect broadleaf ornamental plants.