Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a warm-season turfgrass that thrives in the intense heat and varying conditions across Texas. Achieving a dense, deep green lawn requires more than just regular watering and mowing; it depends heavily on a high-nitrogen fertilization program. In the Texas climate, a precise nutrient strategy is necessary to support the grass’s aggressive growth cycle and ensure it remains vibrant through the long, hot growing season.
Essential Nutrient Ratios for Bermuda Grass
The nutritional requirements of Bermuda grass focus on a high ratio of Nitrogen (N), with lesser amounts of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). These three numbers, known as the NPK ratio, are printed on every bag of commercial fertilizer and represent the percentage of each nutrient by weight. For a Bermuda grass lawn, the recommended NPK ratio generally falls between 3:1:2 and 4:1:2, with common examples being 16-4-8 or 28-7-14.
Nitrogen is the most important nutrient, driving rapid leaf growth and creating the deep green color. Because the grass grows so vigorously, nitrogen is depleted quickly from the soil, making it the focus of most applications. Phosphorus supports strong root development and energy transfer within the plant, which is particularly beneficial when establishing a new lawn.
Potassium plays a major role in strengthening the grass’s overall health and resilience. Adequate potassium improves the plant’s ability to withstand environmental stresses, such as the intense heat, drought, and disease pressure common in Texas summers. A soil test can confirm whether your specific Texas soil requires a greater or lesser amount of phosphorus and potassium.
Optimizing the Fertilization Schedule for Texas
The fertilization schedule for Bermuda grass in Texas is timed to align with its active growth phase, spanning from early spring through early fall. Applying fertilizer when the grass is dormant is ineffective, as the plant cannot absorb the nutrients, and it risks nutrient runoff. The first application should occur during spring green-up, typically after the last threat of frost and when the soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F at a 4-inch depth.
This initial application supports the grass as it breaks dormancy. A second application should follow in early summer, around June, to fuel the peak growth period when temperatures are consistently high. A third, mid-summer application, often in July or August, is necessary to sustain the lawn through the most stressful heat.
Applications should be spaced approximately four to eight weeks apart, depending on the chosen fertilizer type. The final application should occur in early fall, usually September, and should focus on potassium to prepare the grass for winter dormancy and enhance cold tolerance. This “winterizer” application should be completed at least six weeks before the area’s average first frost date.
Selecting the Best Fertilizer Formulation
When choosing a product, the source of the nitrogen determines its release speed into the soil. Fertilizers can be categorized as synthetic or organic. Synthetic fertilizers often contain quick-release nitrogen, like urea or ammonium sulfate, which provides an immediate deep green color and rapid growth response. Quick-release products must be applied more frequently and carry a higher risk of burning the lawn, especially in the high heat of the Texas summer.
Organic fertilizers, such as Milorganite, are naturally slow-release, delivering nutrients gradually over a longer period as soil microbes break them down. While they typically have a lower nitrogen content, organic options are less likely to cause burn and contribute to improved soil structure and health over time. Many effective Bermuda grass fertilizers use a blend of both quick-release and slow-release nitrogen sources to provide both an immediate visual boost and sustained feeding.
The physical form also matters. Granular fertilizers are the most common and efficient choice for most homeowners. Granular products are easy to spread uniformly and are available in both quick- and slow-release formulations. Liquid fertilizers offer rapid nutrient uptake through foliar application but generally require more frequent application and are often limited to lower nitrogen rates per application to prevent burn.
Proper Application Techniques and Safety
Accurate application begins with calculating the rate of “actual nitrogen” needed for your lawn’s size. For Bermuda grass, the goal is to apply 0.5 to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in a single application. To determine how much fertilizer product to use, divide the desired amount of nitrogen (e.g., 1 lb) by the percentage of nitrogen in the bag (e.g., 20% nitrogen is 0.20). For example, a 20-5-10 fertilizer requires 5 pounds of product (1 lb / 0.20) to deliver 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Using a broadcast or rotary spreader is the most effective way to distribute the granular product evenly across the lawn. To ensure uniform coverage and avoid streaking, a technique called the “half-rate pass” is recommended: set the spreader to half the calculated rate and make two passes over the lawn in perpendicular directions. Always calibrate your spreader settings according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific product.
Proper watering is required immediately following any granular application to prevent fertilizer burn. You must thoroughly water the lawn immediately after spreading the fertilizer to wash the granules off the grass blades and dissolve them into the soil. Fertilizer should be stored in a cool, dry place away from moisture and out of the reach of children and pets.