BERMUDA LAWNS - PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
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When to Plant:  Bermudagrass is a warm season turfgrass.  Plant Bermudagrass seeds in spring and summer when soil temperatures are consistently above 65° F (18° C).  The optimum soil temperature for germination and root growth of Bermudagrass is 75° to 80° F (24° to 27° C) - Higher temps are ok, provided moisture is maintained.

• Site Selection:  Plant Bermudagrass in full sun on well-drained soil in the temperate, sub-tropical and tropical climate zones.  Proper drainage is essential for successful establishment and the development of mature healthy turf.

• Soil Test:  Prior to seeding, a soil test is recommended.  Apply fertilizer and other amendments per test.  Add lime as needed to establish a minimum 6.0 soil pH.  A lawn starter fertilizer is an ideal choice to apply prior to planting.

• Seedbed Preparation:  Loosen soil to a depth of six inches (15 cm).  Level area to proper grade with approximately .5 inches (14 mm) pulverized soil at the surface. Rake smooth prior to planting.  Do NOT use any herbicides or weed & feed fertilizers during planting.  You must allow a period of 10-14 weeks prior to, and 10-14 weeks after seeding date in which NO herbicides or weed & feeds can be applied.  Keep area mowed frequently to control weeds.

Seeding Rate for New Turf Applications:  Plant 2 to 3 pounds of Bermuda grass seed (coated seed) per 1000 square feet (1 kg/100 square meters) for new turf applications.  More seed may be needed when stands are established early or late in the season to ensure full coverage.  The planting rate for lawns is much higher, than for pastures, due to the desire to have a higher plant population per square foot in laws.  This works to create a dense turf when mowed.

Overseeding or Repairing Established Bermudagrass:  Bermudagrass may be overseeded into your existing stand of seeded bermudagrass such as common to improve its overall turf quality or repair damaged areas of seeded bermudagrass and some vegetative bermudagrass varieties.  The suggested renovation seeding rate is 1 pound per 1000 square feet (.50 kg/100 sq. meters).  For bare areas, use the new turf application seeding rate.  If the turf is in very poor condition or the damaged areas very large, total removal of the existing grasses before seeding Bermudagrass is recommended for maximum stand uniformity and overall turf performance.

When overseeding into an existing stand of turfgrass, care must be taken to ensure adequate seed to soil contact.  Products such as growth regulators may be used to reduce competition from the existing stand or herbicides may be applied to eliminate any undesirable grasses before seeding.  Follow label instructions for usage and observe the required waiting period, if any, before seeding.  Small areas can be raked vigorously to remove accumulated thatch and break up the soil surface before seeding.  Maintain adequate soil moisture and restrict traffic in the renovated areas during germination and the early establishment phase prior to the first mowing.

Planting:  Care must be taken not to cover the seed with too much soil – no more than ¼ inch of soil covering the seed is recommended.  However the seeds MUST have proper soil coverage (ideally 1/8 inch) for good germination to occur. Effective planting methods include broadcasting by hand, using seed spreaders, and hydroseeding – Rake or drag planted areas to provide soil coverage over seeds.   If overseeding, aerate prior to seeding.  Do NOT use herbicides when seeding 10-14 weeks before, during or after planting date for seeds. 

• Watering:  Soil moisture around the seed must be maintained for about 1 to 3 weeks.  The seedbed must be kept moist during germination.  Once established, provide less frequent, deep waterings to encourage deep root growth.

• Germination:  Bermudagrass has very good seedling vigor.  Under ideal conditions, germination begins within 7 to 10 days.  Again, soil moisture must be maintained during the germination period.  Allow 14 to 18 days after the first seedlings emerge for complete germination. 

• Establishment Time:  Under ideal conditions, full coverage is attained 6 to 10 weeks after seeding.  If planting is early or late in the season, more time may be needed for establishment.

First Mowing, Minimum Mowing Height and Mowing Frequency:  The turf is ready for the first mowing approximately 3 weeks after seeding or when most of the grass has filled in.  To avoid scalping the turf, do not remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade per mowing.  Minimum recommended mowing height (reel mowers) is .5 to .75 inches (12.5 to 18.75 mm).  After the first mowing, mow every 3 to 7 days.  Rotary mowers require higher  minimum height (around 1”) to prevent scalping.  Frequent mowing reduces the “brown look” on Bermuda. 

Winter Overseeding:  Winter overseeding of dormant bermudagrass may be done for year round green color.  It is not generally recommended on immature turf (less than 6 to 8 months of age).  The safest practice would be to wait until second year (fall / winter) after your bermuda is established.  Late season plantings and newly established bermudagrass may also be damaged by the vertical cutting and scalping procedures, leaving it unable to compete with the overseeded species during the spring transition.  Ryegrasses are the primary overseeding species.

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