The Best Answer to When to Plant Bermuda Grass

Do you know when to plant Bermuda grass?

So you've decided to put in Bermuda grass, you've bought the seeds, you know where you want to plant it, now the only question that remains is when. The thing is, you can't just plant Bermuda grass anytime you want. This is due to the fact that for optimal germination, Bermuda seeds require a soil temperature of above 18 degrees (64.4 F) and below 27 degrees (80.6 F).

These temperatures can be found in most areas at Spring and Summer. So if you're going to put in Bermuda grass, those are the times to do it. Spring and Summer here already? Well, these are the next steps in making sure your Bermuda grass is planted successfully. So just when to plant Bermuda grass?

Let's say you're looking at planting Bermuda grass in around 100 square meters (roughly 1000 square feet). For this amount of land you're going to need around a one and a half kilograms of Bermuda seeds.

Once the Bermuda stands have started appearing however, you may want to add more seeds depending on your personal preference. This amount of seeds, for a lawn, should more than cover it but if it doesn't, don't worry, you can always plant more early on in the season. Another important element in the planting of Bermuda grass is the amount of soil placed on top of the seeds.

This is where you have to be careful. Bermuda seeds do not require much soil cover. Too much will hinder the germinating process. You will want to place only half a centimeter or about a quarter inch of soil over the seeds.

Conversely, too little soil cover will also cause damage so make sure your seeds are covered with at least a third of a centimeter (1/8th inch) of good quality soil. With Bermuda seeds you can use most methods of plantation from traditional hand planting to seed spreaders.

The only other thing you have to watch out for is herbicide use during the first 14 weeks. This is not advisable or recommended and has the potential to halt the germinating process completely. Following these steps and making sure you have planted your seeds when soil temperature is optimal you should be on the way to a great patch of Bermuda grass.

External factors regularly impact plant growth. Although you can take precautions which lessen the risks, nothing can 100% guarantee the successful growth of your Bermuda Grass.

It's Summer/Spring and You've Planted Your Bermuda Grass. What Now?

So you've waited for the right soil temperature, planted the seeds in the correct manner, now what? Well there are a few things you have to do in the first weeks to months of your Bermuda grass planting. Let's begin with watering.

In germination, which occurs in the first three weeks of planting your seeds, it is of utmost importance that the soil around the seeds maintains a consistent level of moisture. This can be done relatively easily through a simple sprinkler system. In this fashion you can ensure that your seeds get the water they need in their important first few weeks.

If your seeds don't seem to be germinating in the first few days, don't worry. Maintain the level of moisture as it can take up to 7 days for the germination process to begin.

On top of this, optimally, you should allow up to three weeks after the seedlings emerge for the entire germination process to conclude. So be patient and remember, this is not a completely rigid science, your seeds may take a little longer than most, just maintain moisture levels and before you know it your Bermuda glass should be apparent.

Around 6-8 weeks after first plantation you should achieve full coverage. Again, this is just an estimate, depending on your circumstances and external factors it may be completed early or later. Keep maintaining the grass and be patient. When the Bermuda grass has achieved full coverage, however, there are a few other things you need to understand and know in order to maintain a healthy patch of grass.

Overview of Bermuda Grass Life Cycle

Stage in Life Cycle.	Time.	Notes.
Germination.	7-10 days up to 14-18 days.	Don’t sweat it. Germination may take up to 3 weeks. As long as you are maintaining soil moisture around the planting sites then you shouldn’t run into too many concerns.
First Mowing.	3 weeks after seeding.	At around 3 weeks after the seeding process your Bermuda grass should be ready for its first mowing. Only remove a third of the leaf in the first mow as not to cause any long lasting damage to the grass.
Establishment.	6-10 weeks after seeding (possibly more).	Roughly 6-10 weeks after planting your bermuda grass should be well established.

Bermuda Grass Maintenance

You've seeded, kept moistened and waited 10 weeks until your Bermuda grass is fully established. Now what? Well, there are a few maintenance aspects that every Bermuda grass owner should be aware of.

Firstly, what about mowing? With Bermuda grass, mowing should be carried out in the spring as soon as the grass turns green. Make sure your mower is set between 1 and 2 inches for common Bermuda grass.

The optimal mowing technique is a higher frequency with lower height. By following these guidelines you should be able to water your Bermuda grass without creating in adverse effects to your lawn. Now that mowing is covered, what about fertilization? Does it need it?

Fertilization is an important element in the growth of most plants and Bermuda grass isn't excluded. The best approach with the planting of any species is to get your soil tested beforehand. What this does is tell you the amount of nutrients already present and the amount of nutrients needed and you can base your fertilizer choice off of this.

If you don't have access to soil testing kits then you should opt for a 3-2-1 ratio fertilizer (nitrogen to phosphorous to potassium). You should be using around half a kilogram or a pound of fertilizer per 100 square meter (1000 square feet) of Bermuda grass every 6-8 weeks depending on the type of fertilizer chosen.

By following these steps you should be able to avoid over or under fertilization for your grass. Watering your grass is also a necessary element of maintenance.

The watering of Bermuda grass should be done on an as-needed basis. You will know when your grass needs watering as it will start to exude certain symptoms. The things to look out for are a dull colour and changes in the leaf structure (if they begin to roll or fold you know the grass needs to be watered).

If you notice these symptoms then watering should be done up to a depth of 15cm or 6 inches. By following these steps, planting in the right time and taking good care of your grasses your Bermuda grass should thrive and provide you with cover for any open space.