This doesn't sound like bermuda. Bermuda normally only germinates in the deep heat of summer, not November. It turns brown (dormant) in the winter and then really kicks in when it gets hot again. Bermuda rarely gets a fungus. Are you watering it every day? If so then it might get a fungus.

Ryegrass, on the other hand, germinates in the cool fall weather (November is fall in Central and South Texas). It grows fast and green all winter and then turns brown and dies in the late spring heat.

Do you still have the seed bag/box? I would check the Guaranteed Analysis to see what was in it. Also bermuda seed looks a lot like dust.

So let me get this straight. You purchased your home in November 2011, and then planted seed that fall? It was green all winter, and didn't turn brown? If that is the case, then you didn't plant Bermuda, more likely annual rye. Bermuda will not germinate in November unless you are near the equator, or south of it. Bermuda will turn tan in late fall/winter as it goes dormant. It will then green up again when the hot weather returns. Bermuda can take the heat, in fact it prefers hot weather. If you did plant annual rye, it is normal for it to die out in hot weather. The best time to plant Bermuda seed is in late spring or early summer depending on your location and weather.

I Guess Dchall and I were typing at the same time.

I'm glad we said the same thing

Well I guess you guys were right...I went back and looked at what I planted and it was a Rye/Bermuda blend. I'm guessing the rye is what grew over the winter.

So what do I do now? Plant more Bermuda Seed? Do I have to aerate it or can I just throw it down on the existing grass? Thanks guys!

YES!

I love it when advice comes together.

Bermuda works best when the soil is really warm. Down here in George West it is probably warm enough already. Up in Austin, maybe not quite yet. I'd wait 3 more weeks to be sure. Every spring we get people who bought their bermuda seed in February (when Lowe's first stocks it) and try to seed. Then they write in here asking what went wrong. Go ahead and wait. When it comes in it comes in fast.

Generally you can sow seed in other grasses. Only the seed that touches the soil will take root, though. It is best if you can scalp away everything to get the seed onto the soil. Then you should roll the seed down to make sure it is in good contact with the soil.

You still have several weeks to figure out how to scalp it down. Look up the concept of a power rake.

So Scalping is just mowing the lawn on the lowest setting and cleaning up all the clippings? After I do this I can then plant the Bermuda seed? I know the seed should be as close to the ground as possible. I'm just not sure if I need aerate or get a tiller.....Also, would I use a lawn starter fertilizer when I put the Bermuda seed down?

If you are sure you have Rye, buy you some 10-10-10, Granular Round Up Pro. and a good quality Bermuda seed. Do not buy your bermuda seed at a box store or garden center as it is all junk Arizona Common or Cheyenne.

Apply the 10-10-10 at half rate of 5 lbs/Kft2, water it in and wait a week to get the Rye grass growing really well. Then nuke it with RU wait 1 day and scalp mow, then wait another 5 days.

No go to the Box store and rent a vertical mower and water roller. Set the vertical mower to its shallowest setting and make several passes to loosen up the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil. Rake up all the debris and smooth the area with a push broom.

Apply the seed and the last half application of fertilizer. Roll it down and start watering daily to keep seed bed moist, not soggy.

So Scalping is just mowing the lawn on the lowest setting and cleaning up all the clippings? After I do this I can then plant the Bermuda seed? I know the seed should be as close to the ground as possible. I'm just not sure if I need aerate or get a tiller.....Also, would I use a lawn starter fertilizer when I put the Bermuda seed down?

Read again what TW said above. All the answers are there.

sorry about that, not sure why that got posted again... Just curious but why do you apply fertilizer to the rye if you are just going to put Round up on it a week later?

Healthy, growing grass takes up herbicide better.

Around here it is next to impossible to find a verticle mower. You can of course find dethatchers with flail blades all day long. You might be able to find a slit seeder. Which as we all know is just a verticle mower with a seed hopper attached.

I actually found a "lawn groomer" on CL for $250. It's a Lesco unit with the delta blades/knives. I use it to open the canopy on my Bermuda.

I have a Mantis tiller with a slit aerator attachment. It's not much of an aerator but I use it as a poor man's vertical mower.