Learn when to seed and fertilize warm-season turfgrasses. Establish the grade. Hereâs how to do it: 1. The good news is that Bermuda grass is a perfect turfgrass for this region: As a drought- and pest-resistant blend, this seed thrives in the hot southern sun. Mowing will encourage the grass blades to toughen and spread. Method 1: When establishing Bermuda grass sod, water the soil before laying sod on the surface. First, the plants can take a long time to fill in, sometimes more than a year (planting very densely can save you some time) so you have to wait a while before you have a full lawn. You would need to get a soil test done to know the recommended amount of fertilizer that needs to be applied into the soil. The first step in planting a new Bermuda Grass lawn is to eliminate all weeds from the lawn area. To plant new grass seedlings on an existing Bermuda lawn, you first need to prepare the lawn area by coring. In conclusion, given the right amounts of sunlight, water, nutrients and care, because Bermuda spreads aggressively, those spots should fill in on their own. Planting Bermuda Grass Spray existing weeds. 4. Establish the grade. One of the best ways to guarantee a beautiful lawn is to establish the proper grade before you begin. Ordering Info In other areas that drop below 60 degrees F. (15 C.), it will go dormant. So, if the recommended nutrient for your soil is 3 lb. Begin by watering lightly every day always keeping the soil moist but not soggy. With a little maintenance, the sod may soon grow into a luxurious St. Augustine lawn. This should be done some weeks before overseeding. Apply one inch of water immediately after the sod is laid. About Us, Copyright © 2000-2020 Outsidepride Seed Source, LLC, Beneficial Insectary Wild Flower Seed Mix. Rake the soil smooth for the whole area. Preparing to Plant Bermuda Grass Lawns Bermudagrass is a warm season turf grass and is best planted in spring to late spring or early summer. Distribute the seed evenly by hand or with a lawn ⦠Flower Seeds, Once your grass is established decrease the frequency of irrigation but increase the amount of water you apply. After prepping the lawn, you can then broadcast the seeds in multiple directions using a rotary spreader. This needs to be done at least two weeks before you start laying Bermuda Sod. Raj is an avid traveler, a travel journalist and a blogger. 5. Fertilize 6 weeks after planting with a complete fertilizer that contains slow release nitrogen. by 5 (% of Nitrogen) and multiply by 100 to get the required amount of fertilizer per 1000 square feet, which is 60 lbs. After the sod is established, apply one inch of water per week for the rest of the growing season. Keep the mowing height fairly high (3 to 3 ½ inches tall), irrigate to 6 inches twice per week and fertilize at the appropriate time and rate for your sod species. Mowing during establishment. It only needs to be watered once or twice a week. Stagger the sod pieces in adjacent rows so that the seams do not line up. If you have sandy soils, you may need to water 1 â 2 inch of water every third day. Cut uneven or irregular end pieces with a carpet knife. You should be apply an inch of water per week, in one application, if there has been no significant rainfall. Wait until fall to begin apply pre-emergence weed control. Also, make sure the seed is fresh by checking the germination test date is within the last year. Bermuda grass seeds must have a thin soil covering to germinate correctly. The best times to really push your lawn to grow thicker and get ⦠Proper watering helps prevent or ⦠This guide will teach you how to grow grass in your lawn and fill in empty patches for a lush, green landscape in just a few steps. However, quick growing also means more frequent mowing, one downside of Bermuda grass. ⢠Till the soil thoroughly to a depth of six inches, mixing in the recommended amount of lime and fertilizer (1-800-ASKUGA-1) Step 2 Use a tiller to cultivate, or break up, the soil. Water the sod daily and ensure that the top one inch of soil is kept moist. For example, the best time to lay Bermuda sod (Cynodon dactylon), zoysia (Zoysia spp.) Planting grass seed can be a more economical way to start a lawn or restore your existing landscape. While the lawn fills in, you have to keep the weeds out between the spaces, which can be a lot of work. Spray existing weeds. If you don't have a roto-tiller consider renting one from a tool rental store. Lightly rake the soil, loosening it up so that the new seeds can make good contact with the soil surface. Otherwise, sod is easy to plant over cleared and tilled ground. Next apply one-half inch of water every fifth day for ten days. This needs to continue until the sod is rooted to the soil. 6. This should be done just before the time of lawn green-up, which usually occurs during late April or early May. These sods are cut-outs of Bermuda Grass beds where grass along with a layer of soil below are held together by the root system. Rototill the entire area lengthwise, then again crosswise. Feed your lawn with 4-1-2 fertilizer. Herb Seeds, of Nitrogen per 1000 square feet, you will need to do a simple math to calculate the fertilizer amount required. Irrigating your lawn with 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.63 - 1.27 cm) of water the night... 3. How to Seed Bermuda Lawn. The next step is to apply ryegrass seed over the relatively bare surface at the rate of one- to one-and-one-half pounds of seed per 100 square feet. Water your yard the night before. Ensure that the soil is at least 1 inch below the level of sidewalks or sprinkler heads. Wait until you have mowed 2-3 times before you begin spraying with pre-emergence weed controls. Roll out your sod ⦠Use a small hatchet to trim pieces to fit around obstructions. Check the product label for specific instructions. The mower setting should be around 1 inch high. Do not apply a pre-emergence weed control any time within three months of seeding a Bermuda Grass lawn. If you see low spots, fill them with soil. Begin by removing debris like dead weeds, leaves and rocks from the area. In all cases, do not use pre emergence weed control products when you plant as this will prevent the Bermuda grass seed from germinating. Remove all prior vegetation from the area where the Bermuda grass seed will be planted. Starting a lawn from seed has its own distinct set of considerations: Advantages of grass seed. Bermuda â Planting Sod Kill all weeds by spraying the area with a non-selective weed killer two weeks before planting. Next, cultivate the soil with a rear-tine roto-tiller. You also need to be prepared to do lots of watering. Since years, he has been helping countless viewers by posting quality articles, answering questions and sharing experiences on this website. You will need to till the soil up to 6 inches for this. After that, apply one-fourth inch of water every third day for nine days. Apply 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water the night before laying sod. Fertilizing during establishment. The cost of premium grass seed is much less when compared to the cost of sod for the same size lawn. In warmer tropical areas, Bermuda grass will remain green all year long. Humus is a general term for organic material that naturally occurs in the top layer of soil. Most soil will need to be amended with humus before you plant. Bermuda grass grows quickly, which makes its sod and seed less expensive than other turf types. If you are unsure, check the seed label for the exact percentage of each ingredient. Amend the soil. Remember to wait the allotted time after spraying your herbicide before cultivating. Apply at the rate of 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Roll the area with a water-filled roller. you can plant Bermuda Grass: Sod Seed Grass plugs. If you decide to go with Bermuda grass seed, check out our Bermuda Grass Buying Guide. Weeds are especially troublesome in seeded and plugs Bermuda grass lawns. Water deeply each time for healthy root growth. If a grass catcher was not used, it will be necessary to rake the area with a flexible leaf rake and remove the litter. The major warm-season varieties are Bahia, Bermuda, centipede, St. Augustine and Zoysia. Make sure that each Bermuda sod piece is tightly placed next to each other. Prepare the lawn before seeding by mowing your Bermuda grass about 1 inch and by raking the lawn vigorously with a metal tined rake. If you prefer not to till, cultivate as much of the area as you can with a hoe, garden rake, or shovel. Roll the entire area once more to ensure good sod-to-soil contact. The deeper you can cultivate the soil, the more quickly your lawn will establish and thrive. Plan ahead since you will need to wait approximately two weeks (check product label) after sprayer before you seed. In almost all cases it is cases, it is better to spend the time amending the current soil with humus rather than hauling in new topsoil. Ensure that you have cleaned up all the weeds by applying non-selective weed killer. Step 1: Plant a small area of Bermuda sod. Bermuda Grass is very durable, as it not only grows in southern areas, where the climate is always warm, but it ⦠Weed control during establishment. 3. & Supplies This is usually around September 15 in the upper South and October 15 in the lower South. How to Plant Bermuda Grass Seed. Shop sod and a variety of lawn & garden products online at Lowes.com. Remove stones and grassy debris. Bermuda grass is a cold tolerant, warm-season grass that will grow as far north as Virginia. This may be more than most of us can afford, but consider it nonetheless. Use a non selective weed control like Round-Up. While this project is a small golf green, the basics are the same. Seeding Bermuda grass. The soil should be ⦠3. The Bermuda grass grown from seed simply will not match the cultivated variety in your yard. 2. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove any dead material left from winter dormancy. If you reside in a region that experiences frosty weather, this variety of grass isn't right for you. Bermuda grass stems spread rapidly thanks to ⦠Newly seeded Bermuda grass should be mowed as soon as it reaches 2 inches (unless you are using hybrid types). Sales Tax Apply 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water the night before laying sod. With this strategy, you take advantage of the turf's strongest growth period between spring and fall to form dense and deep root structures in the soil. Lower initial cost. A fertilizer of grade 5-10-15 means that it has 5% Nitrogen, 10% Phosphate and 15% Potash as nutrients. As an author of this website, he shares deep insights on Bermuda and related areas of interest. Blades of natural Bermuda grass are thick and flat. Bermuda grass sod also known as Bermuda Sod are created mainly out of hybrid grass or some times from improved common varieties. Low labor investment. Clover Seed, Alternatively, the la⦠Planting Bermuda Grass Sod 1. Cultivate the soil as deeply as possible. Rake the soil smooth. Start laying the sod pieces end-to-end starting along the longest straight edge of the area. Offering Bermuda grass has numerous benefits, including its resistance to drought. Here are some ways in which. This can be done by hand or using herbicides and greatly reduces the competition the bermuda grass has for water, nutrients and sunlight. Seeding should be done in that late spring to early summer when daytime temps are fairly constant in the 80s. Water the grass thoroughly everyday for the first week. It takes 3 to 5 hours to properly apply 1 inch of water. Here are the recommended steps of how to lay Bermuda sod. Wait 3 weeks for the sod to root in before plugging. Find Bermuda sod at Lowe's today. If you are seeding a Bermuda grass lawn, plan on using 1 pound of Bermuda grass per 1000 square feet. Direct Order Line: (800) 670-4192, Privacy Statement Adding humus will renovate these soils by improving drainage in clay soils and improving water retention in sandy soil. Then place the sod rectangles on top of the loosened and moist soil. Shipping Info Mowing: Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summer mowing height. Use a mower with a sharp blade and cut frequently. Grass Seed Be careful not to set the mower too low, as it may scalp the lawn. Launched in 2008, this website is Bermuda's one of the leading sources of information since many years. Then place the sod rectangles on top of the loosened and moist soil. 2. The deeper you work the soil the better. The downsides of using plugs are also substantial. The best time to lay Bermuda sod is in spring and summer when warm weather and long sunny days prevail throughout most of Georgia. Watering Your Bermuda Grass as Part of Fall Lawn Care. The first step in planting a new Bermuda Grass lawn is to eliminate all weeds from the lawn area. The best way to prevent Bermuda grass from infesting your lawn is to maintain healthy, thick turf. Sod is grass that's been pre-grown and can be rolled out on... 2. Once you have cultivated the soil you will want to water this area for approximately 1 month if time allows and wait for new weeds to sprout then spray those out before seeding. Over seed Bermuda grass lawns when the soil temperature drops to 70°. This application will last until you fertilize again in the fall (see fertilizing). Once you know the amount for the whole area, mix recommended amount of fertilizer, lime and organic matter thoroughly with the soil. Well, planting plugs is a lot of work, period but so is laying sod. Doc walks you through seeding a Bermuda lawn and planting Bermuda grass seed. Use a Scotts® spreader to apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass according to package instructions. Irrigation during establishment. Unfortunately, most lawn areas are graded during home construction and the top layer of soil is buries or removed. Warranty/Returns Mulching flower and plant beds will help minimize Bermuda grass invasion. See Choose the Right Grass for Your Lawn to learn about different types of grass seed. In general, a 2-6% grade is optimal. St. Augustine grass is common from tropical areas up to the southern coastline of the U.S.A. Water the sod according to usual recommendations. The proper slope has the potential to prevent both drought and poor drainage. Do not buy a mix that contains other types of grass. While it would be easier to let nature take care of this, rainfall isnât always the most reliable option. (3) Follow your normal water, fertilizing and mowing practices for the area you have planted on a ⦠It also makes mowing easier. Plant Bermudagrass seeds when soil temperatures are consistently above 65° F (18°C) -- this soil temperature is reached when daytime air temperatures are 80° or higher. Water until the soil is wet to a depth or 4 to 6 inches (check by probing the soil with a screw driver or similar tool). You should also consider rainfall before deciding how much of water to apply. Try to work at least 4-6 inches of soil into a nice pulverized soil mix. Keep the lawn well watered after the first week and follow a regular watering schedule. Here is a recommended method for watering new Bermuda Sod: 1. The soil should be moist when you start laying it, but not muddy. You have probably seen this type of grass on many lawns and athletic fields. Successful results require a little planning and patience, preparation of your soil and good seed thatâs suitable for your region. Store sod stacked in a cool, dark place until ready to lay. | Measure the area where you want to plant the sod. 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