Going to seed

[Elwyn Aud]

We have two circles that are about ready to have grass seed planted. Nobody in our group is much of an expert on grass selection and I was wondering if anybody else out there has good experience on what type of seed works best for the Oklahoma climate. So far we've had suggestions of Bermuda or a Bermuda/Fescue mix.

[Bob Reeves]

To add a little bit to what Elwyn has said.. Jim Phillips talked to a golf course greens keeper and he suggested Buffalo grass. However from what I could find on the internet it seams like Buffalo grass could be harder to get started and more difficult to maintain. We are not going to be able to water the two new circles. Might be able to water one but the other is way too far away for a hose.

The one circle I planted has Bermuda and the only problem with it is random grab grass and various weeds. Of course I haven't put anything on it in the way of fertilizer or weed killer for two years so guess a few weeds is to be expected.

[Shultzie]

Ahhhhh yes......
Astro turf???

[Ray]

Jim Philips works for Golf Courses, right?  I just worked for a City Parks department for a couple of summers.

Golf Course groundskeepers use at least three basic grass types.  For greens, they used to favor a special stuff called "Tiffgreen" that can be cut very short, and stands up to traffic well.  For fairways, the varieties depend on the local climate, but any of several Bermuda types are popular.  The Buffalo grass is what they use for the "rough" areas off the fairway that have to depend mostly on Mother Nature for watering.  The greens and fairway get watered heavily, and cut almost daily.  The rough is periodically shortened using any of several kinds of larger weed control attachments for tractors, one of which I recall is named a "Bush Hog". 

Because it can come back after relatively long periods between rains, grasses related to Buffalo grass are useful erosion control plants where the wind can carry away unprotected topsoil rapidly (it happened in OK back in the 30s, the years of the Dust Bowl). 

[Bill Little]

HI Guys,

Like I told Bob when he was working his new circle....  Common Bermuda is as good as it gets fro grass in our applications, and in a decent climate.  I am pretty sure Bermuda and Oklahoma, should get along just fine!    We use several hybrid Bermudas around here on our Golf Courses, baseball, and football fields.  The *tiff* grass referred to by someone above is Hybrid Bermuda grasses developed in Tifton, GA.  Tifway, is one.  They are number designated such as 419 and 328. 328 is the lowest growing, finest blade that I know of.  The hybrids are very susceptible to diseases and choking themselves out.  Unless you have plenty of time and money, avoid the Hybrid bermudas, and simply use common.  A ton of nitrogen and plenty of water when the nights start to hit around 60* and you will be moving three times a week.  Common Bermuda is very drought resistant.  I took care of turf grasses for the better part of 30 years, and common Bermuda is the simplest to plant, grow, and take care of.  It is a fairly *warm weather* grass. And mowing rather close makes it run better.