Two years ago, in the interest of being water-wise homeowners, we removed our lawn and replaced it with a beautiful flagstone pathway and filled in the rest of the area with bark. The lines for drip irrigation were also added with the intent that eventually we would add native plants. However, fast-forward to the present and we (okay I!) haven't gotten around to adding any plants, but different greenery has started to take over the bark … the offensive bermudagrass that was originally removed!

I thought I had taken all the necessary precautions during the lawn removal process – the removal depth was at least 6 inches, the soil was treated with a pre-emergent herbicide, and we laid heavy landscaping cloth which was recommended to us, upon which we laid the bark. I have come to discover that all of these actions were either not good enough, and in some cases incorrect – we could have dug a little deeper, we should have treated the soil at least twice, and as for the landscaping cloth, there seems to be differing opinions about whether to use it or not, but the strongest cases seem to vote for “not”. I was shocked to see that the grass was coming right through the cloth, which was of a high-grade, nothing lightweight. Additionally, a large number of stolons are continuing to run along under the cloth, and this in a drought year!?

So now, I have a new project on my hands: removing the bark, landscape fabric and undertaking another attempt to eradicate the seemingly invincible bermudagrass! This is not a task for the weary nor the impatient, but I am determined to persevere! Solarization will be the key. I've done a fair bit a research about this, by speaking to my peers at the Solano County Master Gardener's booth at the Vallejo Farmer's Market, online articles and of course, consulting the IPM Pest Management website. For those who are not familiar with the term solarization, it is basically what it sounds like – heating up the soil, and the goal is to kill a wide range of soilborne pests, including my nemesis, bermudagrass!

Following are interesting and helpful links:

about bermudagrass, should you wish to control it or eradicate it at your home: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7453.html

and about soil solarization, if you have the need to rid your yard of weeds, pathogens, nematodes, or insects:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74145.html

Stay tuned for my next installment of “My Quest to Defeat Bermudagrass”!