TifTuf™ Bermuda

Why Do We Grow TifTuf™ Certified Bermuda?

See Allen's Answer

CHARACTERISTICS

TifTuf™ Certified Bermuda is the newest release from the world- renowned Tifton Campus at the University of Georgia bermudagrass breeding program. 

TifTuf™ Bermuda maintains acceptable quality under drought stress without going dormant like many drought-tolerant grasses.  It is now utilized as the scientific standard for all future university drought-tolerance evaluation trials.  This grass has consistently ranked in the highest quality groups in the 2014 NTEP trials.

University research indicates TifTuf™ Certified Bermuda has:

•  Unbeatable drought tolerance, using 38% less water than Tifway, and is more drought tolerant than Celebration™, Latitude 36™, TifGrand® and other tested bermudagrasses.
• Better establishment and more rapid cover than Tifway.
• Superior wear and traffic tolerance over Tifway, Celebration™, , and all other tested bermudagrasses, except TifGrand® .
• Cold tolerance equal to Latitude 36™ at Kansas State University.
• Faster spring green-up than Tifway, Patriot™, and Celebration™.
• Exceptional Summer and Fall density, with higher sod tensile strength than Tifway in Spring and Fall.
• Excellent Fall color retention, greater than Tifway and Celebration™., therefore, seldom required dethatching.

WATERING

Newly planted TifTuf™ Bermuda should be watered daily and soaked thoroughly to a depth of 3 inches for the first two weeks to avoid dry out.  Then, reduce the amount of water but maintain the daily frequency for the following two weeks, or until the lawn is established.  Once it is established, watering needs will vary based upon the type of soil present.  It is always best to mimic the environment by watering heavier every few days rather than watering lightly every day.  For sandier soils, 3/4 of an inch per watering will completely saturate the soil and everything else will simply percolate through.  For heavier clay soils, you can water up to 2 inches at a time before saturation is reached.  For this reason, heavier soils should be watered heavily but less frequently (every 3-4 days) and sandy soils will need less water but more frequency (every 2-3 days).  Once it is established, watering should be reduced to every other day providing 1.5-2 inches of water a week.  Established TifTuf™ Bermuda is considered to be a drought tolerant grass.

MOWING

Mow at 0.5-2 inch cutting height. Mow no more than 1/3 of the leaf off at one mowing. Use sharp mower blades and catch and remove clippings. Can be mowed with either reel or rotary mower.  Mowing may be required on a 4 to 7 day interval.

MAINTENANCE

recommendations can vary by grass variety, and microenvironmental influences such as shade, drought, soil conditions and irrigation. Therefore, the below comments are meant only as a general guideline and should be adjusted according to conditions. Soil tests are encouraged to establish a scientific basis for fertility decisions.

• Apply 3-5 lbs. of nitrogen per year plus soil test recommendations for phosphorus and potassium
• 2-4 applications on 60-day intervals Apply pre-emergent weed control around March 1, May 1, and Oct. 1
• Post- emergent weed control should be localized to issues and only when temperatures are conducive
• Monitor for insects throughout the Summer months (mole crickets, sod webworms, and armyworms)
• Monitor for dollar spot (mycelium)
• Lime according to soil test recommendations

AGRONOMIC

• Fine to Medium Texture 
• Excellent Establishment 
• Rapid Re-Growth and Recuperation from Damage
• Deep Green
• Extremely Wear Tolerant

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Drought Tolerant
• Shade Tolerant 
• Cold Hardy 
• Heat Tolerant 
• Salt Tolerant