FORAGE BERMUDA - PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
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When to Plant Your Pasture:  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).

• 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.  Your Cooperative extension agent can assist with soil testing.

• 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 helps to make a level / smooth pasture.

Seeding Rate for PASTURE Applications:  Plant 15 pounds of Bermuda grass seed (coated seed) per acre for new pasture applications.  Higher seed rates may be needed when stands are established early or late in the season to ensure full coverage.  Raw seeds are usually planted in 8-10 lbs. / per acre (new establishment).  In some varieties, un-hulled seeds (still have the hull on the seed) may be available.  Generally you plant a little higher seeding rate with un-hulled seeds because you are getting less seeds per lb.  Un-hulled seeds are safer to plant if planting prior to when adequate soil and moisture will be available as the seeds will survive longer (un-germinated) while they lay in the soil for ideal germination temps / moisture to occur.  Pastures planting rates are much lower than for turf lawns as the dense / high plant population per square foot is not a requirement of pastures.  In pasture you can live with slight open spaces and the goal is different than in lawns (Pastures are looking for larger plants that can withstand the traffic and grazing of livestock.)

Read additional planting tips on establishing Bermuda Pastures.

Overseeding or Repairing Established Bermudagrass:  Bermudagrass may be overseeded into your existing stand of seeded Bermudagrass such as common to improve its overall forage quality or repair cold damaged areas of  Bermudagrass.  The suggested renovation seeding rate is 5-7 lbs per acre.  For bare areas, use the new pasture application seeding rate.  If the pasture 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 pasture performance.  When overseeding into an existing stands, care must be taken to ensure adequate seed to soil contact.  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 / grazing in the renovated areas during germination and the early establishment phase prior to the first mowing / grazing.

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 pasture seeders.  – Rake or drag planted areas to provide soil coverage over seeds.   If overseeding, aerate prior to seeding if possible.  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 for good germination to occur.  The seedbed needs to stay moist during germination.  If irrigated, once established, provide less frequent, deep watering 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.  Establishment time is based on adequate moisture to support seedling growth.  Plant at optimum temp / rainfall  season if possible based on the temperature planting range.

First Grazing (or mowing) and minimum Height:  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.  First Grazing should not occur until about 8-10 weeks after planting to allow for sufficien growth and size to prevent the plant from being pulled out of the ground. 

Winter Overseeding:  Winter overseeding of dormant Bermudagrass may be done for additional grazing with Annual Ryegrass  It is not generally recommended on immature pastures (less than 6 to 10 months of age).   The safest practice would be to wait until second year (fall / winter) after your bermuda is established.  Contact your local Cooperative Extension agent for more specific recommendations or pasture requirements.

SEEDING BERMUDA PASTURES

Above drag preparing soil prior to planting (right)
Brillion Turfgrass seeder - precision planting Bermuda (left)

Getting a firm seed bed by dragging so the seeds do not get planted to deep is important.  the precisely planting by either using a drill for grass seeds such as pictured above OR by dragging again to lightly cover the seeds around 1/8 inch deep ideally.

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