Sylviatexas, is the dasterdly bermuda grass still with you?

9 years ago

I've been researching how to get the evil grass out of my flower beds (Ha!!) and came across your post from 2006. You said you used 20% vinegar twice in 3 days when the weather was very hot, and had hopes that might have done the trick. Are you still living in the same place and if you are, do you have bermuda grass any more? I tried the 20% vinegar--had to get it from Amazon--but it didn't work. However, I have since read that using it in the spring/early summer is worthless, which is what I did.

I'd appreciate any advice you may have for me on the subject!

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Comments (5)

sylviatexas1
9 years ago
It worked!

& a bonus:
Our soil is alkaline clay from Hades, & the vinegar broke it down into a wonderful crumbly texture!

Yes, you have to do it in the hottest, driest weather, & it's best if you do it during the hottest part of the day.

Some people have solarized their bermuda or other weeds (lay down plastic to absorb even more heat), but I didn't do it on those beds

If I were to do it today, I'd try the vinegar once & solarize it, leaving the plastic on it for maybe 3, 4 days, maybe longer, I'd just have to experiment.
sjerin
Original Author
9 years ago
Hurray!! I can hardly believe it, judging from all the negative nellies I've read, but so happy to hear it. Hopefully, we'll have warmer weather as our highs have only been in the upper 70's the last few days. I wish I could find the 20% in town but I had to order it from Amazon last time. My main problem is that the grass is intermixed with plants so i don't think I can solarize, but I will give the vinegar anther chance. Thanks so much for answering, Sylvia.
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cat_ky
9 years ago
Oh wow! I need to try that too. Hateful stuff, for sure. I dig it out of the flower beds and spray a 6 inch swath all around the edge of the flower beds, and along the driveway, to keep it at bay, and some of it still manages to appear. My last house was even worse than this one, since someone had actually seeded the lawn with the stuff. I dont think that has happened here, because, it is just in spotty locations.
sylviatexas1
9 years ago
Be careful with 20% vinegar;
it's a strong caustic.

Use it only on a windless day, & wear long sleeves, gloves, & eye protection;
I'd use a mask if I had one handy.

Be sure to spray it only where you want the vegetation to croak, & be sure to put your pets someplace where they can't get near where you're working.

I never had any trouble with it, but Monsanto (maker of roundup) swears 20% vinegar is evil!
sjerin
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the warning; yes, I was super careful with it.

Haha, was that last comment an ironic joke?

Sylviatexas, is the dasterdly bermuda grass still with you?

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Sylviatexas, is the dasterdly bermuda grass still with you?

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