Bermuda grass is a popular warm-season turfgrass highly valued for its exceptional heat and drought tolerance, making it a common choice for lawns across Georgia. Successful establishment depends heavily on precise timing, which is directly linked to the soil temperature. Planting during the correct window ensures the seed or sod has the necessary warmth to grow quickly and establish a strong root system before late summer or the first frost arrives.
Understanding Georgia’s Regional Climate
Georgia’s diverse geography creates distinct planting windows across the state. Bermuda grass requires a consistently high soil temperature to germinate and thrive. Specifically, the soil temperature, measured at a two-inch depth, must remain at 65°F or higher for successful establishment.
The calendar date for reaching this threshold varies significantly across the state’s regions. South Georgia typically achieves the required soil temperature earlier, sometimes in late March or early April. Conversely, North Georgia experiences cooler springs, often delaying the optimal planting window until mid-to-late May. Monitoring local soil temperatures, rather than relying solely on the calendar, is the most accurate way to determine when to plant.
Optimal Planting Timing by Material Type
The best time to plant Bermuda grass is determined by the material used—seed, or vegetative materials like sod, sprigs, and plugs. Seeding requires the most precise timing because the young seedlings are vulnerable to extreme heat and cold. The ideal window for planting Bermuda grass seed in Georgia is generally late April through mid-July, coinciding with sustained warm soil temperatures.
Planting seed too late in the season, particularly after mid-August, significantly increases the risk of failure. The new grass will not have enough time to develop an established root system before cooler temperatures and the first frost halt growth. This lack of establishment makes the young turf highly susceptible to winter kill. For the best germination and growth, ensure the soil temperature is consistently in the 65°F to 70°F range.
The planting window for vegetative materials such as sod, sprigs, and plugs is much broader, extending from mid-spring through early fall, typically April through September. Sod provides an instant lawn and is more forgiving than seed because the grass is already mature. While sod can be laid outside the peak growing season, it still requires warm soil for the roots to quickly knit into the native ground. Adequate irrigation is necessary throughout this extended period to encourage rapid root establishment regardless of the material.
Essential Soil Preparation Steps
Before planting, conducting a comprehensive soil test is necessary for a successful Bermuda lawn. This test reveals the soil’s pH level and nutrient composition. Bermuda grass prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH range, ideally between 5.8 and 7.0. If the soil test indicates a pH outside this range, amendments like lime or sulfur should be applied several weeks before planting to allow them time to react with the soil.
Effective weed control is also necessary, as existing perennial weeds compete aggressively with newly planted Bermuda grass for water and nutrients. Applying a non-selective herbicide several weeks before the target planting date ensures the area is clear of competing vegetation when the Bermuda grass is installed. This pre-treatment significantly reduces weed pressure on the vulnerable young turf.
Following chemical treatment, the soil must be physically prepared through tilling and grading to ensure proper drainage and a uniform surface. Loosening the soil to a depth of four to six inches helps relieve compaction, a common issue in Georgia’s clay-heavy soils, allowing for deeper root penetration. The final grading should establish a smooth surface with a slight slope, ideally one to two percent, away from structures to prevent water pooling.
Immediate Post-Planting Establishment Care
The first few weeks immediately following planting require a precise watering regimen. For seeded lawns, the top inch of soil must be kept consistently moist to encourage germination, often requiring light, frequent watering three to four times a day. Once the seedlings emerge, the frequency is gradually reduced, but the volume is increased to promote deeper root growth.
In contrast, newly laid sod requires deep, less frequent watering to encourage the roots to grow down into the native soil. The goal is to keep the soil beneath the sod moist, typically by watering once or twice daily for the first week. Transition slowly to a deep soaking every other day. This change encourages the roots to seek moisture deeper in the soil profile, creating a more drought-tolerant lawn.
The first mowing should occur when the new grass reaches one and a half times the desired mature height, typically around two inches for new Bermuda. Remove no more than one-third of the blade length during any single mowing event to avoid stressing the young grass. An initial starter fertilizer, high in phosphorus, should be applied at planting to stimulate root development. Heavy nitrogen applications should be avoided until the grass is actively growing and has been mowed a few times.