Bermuda grass is a cold-tolerant winter grass and will grow as far north as Virginia. In the warmer tropics, Bermuda grass will stay green all year round. In other places below 60 degrees F., it will go dormant. Ideal growing areas for Bermuda grass include United States Department of Agriculture zones 7 through 10. Growing bermuda grass seed is easy as long as you have the right conditions.
The Right Time to Plant Bermuda Gras
Spring is the best season to plant this grass once temperatures are consistently warm; this is generally April or March in warmer areas.
How to Plant Bermuda Grass
Bermuda is not particularly picky about soil type and will even tolerate salt spray, making it a good choice for coastal areas.
This grass can grow properly under full sunlight exposure, but it can also accept some shades.
At one point in time, Bermuda only grew from the ground or stalks but is now widely available in seed form. You may use 1 pound of hulled Bermuda grass/1000ft2. This grass grows quickly and is very difficult to remove once it starts growing.
Start by sweeping the area to be seeded until it is as smooth as possible. Make a mixture of sand and seeds in equal parts. Seeds can be broadcast using a spreader or by hand for smaller areas. To avoid jumping in the yard, divide half the mixture lengthwise and half the mixture crosswise.
Bermuda Grass Care
Bermuda grass care is not difficult. Daily light watering is all that is needed as the grass grows. Once the grass is established, the frequency of watering can be reduced, but the amount of water per watering session increases. The grass will need an inch per week if there is no significant rainfall.
Once the grass reaches 2 inches, it can be trimmed with a sharp knife. Mowing the grass will help the grass to strengthen and spread.
Fertilize six weeks after planting with a complete fertilizer that releases nitrogen slowly. Apply pre-emergence weed control in the fall.