Use It To Control Bermuda Grass
In A Fescue Lawn
Ornamec OTT, made by PBI Gordon, is a systemic herbicide and it is a selective weed killer. It controls annual and perennial grassy type weeds. It was designed for, and is primarily used, in areas of ornamental plants, which would be broadleaf shrubs, flowers and such.
It is also labeled to Control Bermuda Grass in Tall Fescue Turf, as well as in Zoysia Grass. More specifically from the label: “ORNAMEC may also be used to suppress and eventually control some undesirable grasses in turf areas.” (Empasis added.)
Two important points to know about this statement:
1) ‘Control bermuda’ is not the same as killing bermuda grass. (Think of your kids being ‘controlled’ going to the grandparents’ house for a Christmas holiday gathering. Control is a very ‘relative’ term.)
2) It is safe to use this grass killer on your fescue grass lawn, ONLY IF you follow the instructions for the specific dosage to use, and can handle some pain yourself.
Why the concern?
The OTT label states that there will be some discoloration to the fescue, but it should be able to recover in 10-14 days. What does that mean?
It is going to mess up the exposed portion of fescue, but the grass will continue to grow. By the second mowing after you spray, the damaged stuff will have been pushed up far enough to be cut off.
So do NOT mix the Ornamec spray any stronger then recommended, thinking that killing bermuda grass will happen more quickly. It could be the fescue that bites the dust with too strong of a chemical.
(And as an afterthought, do not spray OTT on your lawn if you are going to have a garden party or some fancy shindig in your yard sooner than 2 weeks after spraying, unless you want to lose the yellow bocce ball in the yellow turf!)
How fast does Ornamec work?
You can expect the grassy weeds to stop growing in about 48 hours or so. However it will take 1 to 3 weeks before the bermuda grass actually looks dead. This is a variable that can be affected by climate. Hot, dry weather can hasten the demise. Cool, moist weather may stretch out the time for brown-out.
How well does it work?
That is difficult to tell. Each yard situation is different. Check out this article How To Identify Bermuda Grass to learn how the various parts of this weed (especially rhizomes) give it such an advantage and make it so difficult to kill.
You would have to dig down to check out some rhizomes to see if they have started to shrivel, wither or vanish. They may just have a tummy-ache, depending on their size and constitution. Even if you dug one up, you wouldn’t have anything to compare it to.
So just expect that the typical scenario is that mature rhizomes will be affected, but not dead yet. In a matter of time, the stronger ones will likely push out some new growth.
How often is the Ornamec treatment applied?
The long term process for killing bermuda grass (or trying to) with OTT recommends only two applications per year. Spray the first time after the bermuda starts to come out of dormancy. This might be April to May, or even earlier in some locations. Spray the second time in the fall, September to October, as the bermuda is getting ready for dormancy.
Avoid spraying during the summer months, or at any time if going through an abnormal hot spell (above 85 degrees). Fescue is a cool-season grass and does not grow as actively in the summer months. You don’t want to over-stress it by applying such a strong herbicide when it is not at its peak performance level.
How is the product used?
(This is the part where you don’t want to hold your breath until it’s over.) OTT is a concentrate and must be mixed with water and sprayed on. Do not use a hose-end sprayer, only a tank-type sprayer. The label gives instructions for applying to acreage or for spot treatment.
Use the Spot treatment rate, even if you plan to spray your whole yard. (Just think of it as a big spot on your gardening resume until you get this bermuda wiped out. Or… you can loosely quote Shakespeare with a paraphrased line from Macbeth: “Out! Out, Bermuda Spot!”)
Use 1 Tablespoon of Ornamec, PLUS 2 Teaspoons of a nonionic surfactant, mixed into one gallon of water. The surfactant usually gets packaged and sold with the herbicide. That’s the only way I would buy it and they carry it that way at Amazon, if you cannot find it locally. [LINK]
Measure it accurately, and spray it as told. The one gallon of mixed spray is intended to cover a 1,000 square foot area. Oh???
Yes, I know. Royal pain. How are you supposed to figure that out?
The only way to do that correctly is to have a trial run. Mark off in your yard an area of 1,000 square feet, which could be 100 ft by 10 ft, or 50 x 20, or 40 x 25. Get a school kid to help you with the math if needed.
Fill up a sprayer with one gallon of clean water only, (no herbicide), and go spray. One gallon sprayers typically can cover that area, but it depends on how wide open the sprayer nozzle is, and how fast you move the wand, and your body.
Have fun and pay attention to how fast you must move to get the area sprayed before you run dry. (Don’t look at me. It’s your yard! And it was your idea to be killing bermuda grass. I just live with it.)
Anything else to know?
It’s a good idea to water a day or two prior to spraying. Do not water again till the next day after spraying.
The marketing material says ‘Rainfast in one hour’, but I wouldn’t cut it that close if you have a storm headed your way.
The “Restricted-Entry-Interval” is four hours, so keep kids and pets off the treated area for at least that long.
Ornamec comes in two different strengths, so plan to get the stronger OTT version which has 6.75% active ingredient (Fluazifop-P-butyl).
DISCLAIMER: One last word on using Ornamec for killing bermuda grass in fescue:
Please read the label and if you don’t understand any part of the application instructions or the warnings, get assistance before you spray.
Since Products Change & Formulas Change & Instructions Change, Be Aware:
The directions and explanations in this article may not apply to the actual product you have and may not be up-to-date.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND KEEP IT WITH THE PRODUCT AND REFER TO IT PRIOR TO USE.
Is this the best thing to use?
Good question. Check out the full series of articles on this topic. Get more information about this invasive weed, how it grows, and how to get rid of bermuda in different areas of your yard and garden.
Good concern. It is a chemical. Be safe and prudent.
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