Huge Dallis Grass Infestation

[nina norman]

Hi there. We have a section of lawn about 50 feet by 100 feet that is nothing but Dallis grass - I hand pulled a 10 by 10 section and was left with bare dirt. We were hoping to till it all out next spring and put down bermuda seeds but someone said that would just kill millions of good microorganisms in the soil. So here is my question: Any suggestions how to kill all of this off aside from using CGM? I am wondering if we could put down four or five sheets of newspaper and then cover that with mulch for the winter? ( Next spring I could just use the mulch in the garden so it would be no great waste to buy it now.) Would the Dallis grass die out if it didn't get sunlight? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Many thanks!
Nina

[Soils Alive]

Hello nina,

I would consider two options. In both cases physical removal of the dallis grass is necessary. Step two I suggest overseeding with annual or perennial rye grass. Your idea of newspaper and mulch will work but it adds an additional step of removing the mulch in the spring before you can seed or sod. And the grass rye will add green manure. In the spring time I would add compost, lava sand and green sand then till it all in down to four inches. You can either seed or sod the area. My suggestion would be to sod because your only talking about a 10 X 10 area. The most important part of this procedure will be to completly removing all of the dallis grass crowns. Good Luck.