Bermuda grass is one of the most popular turfs in the United States. It is a warm-season grass that is drought-tolerant and flourishes in full sunlight.
These grasses are mostly found in the southern regions of the United States. Experts say that the grass came from Africa and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to get to America. It entered the United States through Bermuda, hence the name.
There are many ways to care for Bermuda grass, such as mowing, sodding to remove grassy weeds, aerating, and fertilizing. All these processes help in weed control. Our focus here is on fertilizing.
When Do You Fertilize Bermuda Grass?
Fertilizing is an easy way to give your lawn the nutrients it needs that aren’t already in the soil. The nutrients will help the green lawn grow fully and resist weeds and diseases.
You need to test your soil samples to determine the nutrients absent in the soil and the amount of Bermuda grass fertilizer needed. Bermuda grass lacks nitrogen.
Therefore, lawn fertilizer with a high n-p-k ratio should be used on the grass lawn. The quantity of nitrogen per 1000 square feet will depend on soil temperatures, actual nitrogen in the soil, and other soil tests.
However, the timing is critical to how effective the fertilizers will be on the lawn. So you should follow a schedule to help sustain a constant quantity of nutrients in the soil. The level of nutrients in the soil will determine the health of your lawn during the growing season.
Below are the best times to fertilize Bermuda grass lawns.
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Mid-Spring
Bermuda grass grows when the soil temperature rises to 60 degrees and maintains the range up to 65 degrees. Apply fertilizer after the first expected frost has passed and your green lawn is over 50%.
Considering the weather conditions of the year, it is best to apply fertilizer between mid-March and mid-April. Please use slow-release fertilizers (which contain a slow-release form of nitrogen).
Then apply at the specified rate of 0.68 kg to 1000 square feet. The application will last for three months, or until the mid-summer months.
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Early Fall
You should spread fertilizer on Bermuda grass again between late August and early September. It is best to use the same type of fertilizer or switch to one with little or no phosphorus. The new fertilizer should have a higher rate of potassium.
You should spread the compound in the same way you did the one in early spring.
It is best to avoid using fertilizer on your entire lawn in the winter. The air temperatures are too low during this period; the soil surface won’t support the growth of grass blades.
The Advantages of Fertilizing Your Bermuda Grass Lawn
Applying fertilizer to your Bermuda grass ensures that the grass enjoys rapid growth. Bermuda grass doesn’t have enough nitrogen, so the best fertilizer for your lawn needs to have more nitrogen per 1000 square feet to make up for this.
It doesn’t matter in which region they grow; nitrogen boosts the growth habit of the lawn. With nitrogen fertilizer, the grass will grow faster.
Types of Fertilizers
These are the best fertilizers for Bermuda grass because of their quality and value.
- Liquid
This type of fertilizer provides a quick release of nutrients to Bermuda grass. The grass absorbs liquid through its foliage, the fastest way into the plant.
However, you may need frequent fertilizer applications if you are using this type on your grass lawn. Full-strength and concentrated liquid fertilizers are available. You can use either a garden-type pump sprayer or a hose-end sprayer.
- Water-Soluble
Water-soluble fertilizer exists in fertilizer bags that dissolve rapidly in water. Hence, you can water and spread fertilizer at the same time. It is best to use a hose-end dispenser.
This type of fertilizer works best in small yards that are completely accessible by a garden hose.
- Granular Fertilizer
Dry granular fertilizers exist in small pebbles for easy application using push-type spreaders. These types of fertilizer don’t act as quickly as other types; however, they last longer. Therefore, you don’t have to apply them frequently like their counterparts.
Contact Us Today!
Whether you need a lawn care program, lawn fertilization, weed control, or our new liquid aeration treatment in Harrisburg, NC, let Carolina Turf Services take care of your lawn care and landscaping needs – hassle-free.
Carolina Turf Services provides Harrisburg, NC, with high-quality residential lawn care programs, lawn aeration, fertilization, and landscaping services. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
