Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a warm-season turfgrass highly valued for its ability to withstand extreme heat, drought, and heavy traffic. This durable grass forms a dense, resilient lawn, making it a popular choice across the southern United States and other warm climates. It spreads vigorously using above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes, allowing it to quickly repair damage. Yes, you can grow Bermuda grass from seed, and the following steps explain how to establish a successful lawn.
Seed vs. Sod and Sprigs
Choosing the method to establish a Bermuda lawn balances cost, time, and effort. Seeding is the most budget-friendly option, especially for large areas, as the cost is significantly lower than purchasing pre-grown sod. The trade-off for this affordability is a much slower establishment time, requiring patience while the seeds germinate and mature.
Sod, which consists of mature grass rolls, offers instant results and a finished lawn immediately, but it is the most expensive choice. Sprigs or plugs are a middle ground; they are cheaper than sod and establish faster than seed, but require more planting effort. Seeding often takes an entire growing season to achieve the dense, uniform quality of an established lawn.
Essential Soil Preparation Steps
Proper soil preparation is the most important factor for a successful seeded Bermuda lawn. First, eliminate all existing vegetation, often requiring a non-selective herbicide application followed by a two-week waiting period. Physical removal of debris, rocks, and dead turf is also necessary to ensure a clean planting bed.
Perform a soil test to determine pH and nutrient levels. Bermuda grass thrives best in a slightly acidic to neutral range (pH 6.0 to 7.5). After adding amendments, till the soil four to six inches deep to loosen compaction and promote deep root growth.
The tilled area must be graded to establish the correct slope (two to six percent grade) to ensure proper drainage and prevent water pooling. Apply a starter fertilizer before sowing; this formulation is high in phosphorus to encourage strong root development in young seedlings.
The Seeding and Establishment Process
Timing is critical for this warm-season turf. Planting should occur in late spring or early summer after the threat of frost has passed. Soil temperature must be consistently above \(65^{\circ}\text{F}\) to \(70^{\circ}\text{F}\) (\(18^{\circ}\text{C}\) to \(21^{\circ}\text{C}\)); planting too early slows germination.
Choose hulled or coated seed varieties, as the removal of the outer hull promotes faster germination (seven to fourteen days). Improved, turf-type varieties are preferred over common Bermuda seed for better color and density. Apply the seed using a broadcast or drop spreader, dividing the total amount in half to make two perpendicular passes for uniform coverage.
Achieve excellent seed-to-soil contact by lightly raking the seed into the top one-eighth inch of soil or using a lawn roller. Keep the soil surface constantly moist, usually requiring light watering three to four times daily. Once seedlings emerge, reduce watering frequency but increase duration to encourage deeper root growth. The first mow occurs when the grass reaches about two inches high, removing no more than one-third of the blade with a sharp blade.
Long-Term Maintenance of Bermuda Grass
Once established, maintenance focuses on sustaining the grass’s high-performance characteristics. Bermuda grass requires a low mowing height, typically maintained between one and two inches, to look its best. This low height necessitates frequent mowing, ideally every three to five days during peak summer, to prevent scalping and encourage dense growth.
Bermuda grass has a high nitrogen requirement during its active summer growth period. Fertilization should begin after the grass greens up in spring and continue throughout the summer, based on soil test results. Use pre-emergent herbicides in early spring and fall to prevent annual weeds, as the grass is susceptible during transition periods.
As temperatures cool in the fall, Bermuda grass enters dormancy, turning straw-brown when temperatures drop below \(50^{\circ}\text{F}\). During dormancy, significantly reduce or stop water and fertilizer applications. A final application of low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer in the fall can improve winter hardiness, and the grass will emerge from dormancy when warm temperatures return.