Timing can be very important in gardening. It could spell the difference between successfully growing a plant or not. So, when is the best time to plant bermuda grass? Read on to find out.
When is the Best Time to Plant Bermuda Grass?
The best months to plant Bermuda grass are March and April, or generally the months when the temperature begins to reach over 65°F during the day. Planting it during spring will give the grass the best chance of developing a strong root system.
Things You Should Know About Bermuda Grass
What is Bermuda grass?
It has the scientific name Cynodon dactylon, and is known by many names: Bahama grass, South grass, devil’s grass, dog’s tooth grass, couch grass, wire grass, and scutch grass.
Ironically
It is not a native of Bermuda, the British island territory. However, the grass is abundant in the area.
The plant thrives in warm climates.
The history
According to records, the Bermuda grass was originally a native of Africa, which explains its propensity to prefer hot weather.
The Spanish then brought the Bermuda grass to Europe and America.
Characteristics
The Bermuda stem could grow up to 30 centimeters long while the blade can grow between two and 15 centimeters. The edges are rough.
The plant also has a deep root system–and I mean deep!
How deep?
In penetrable soil, the root system can be as long as two meters. But generally, the mass is just around 60 centimeters long.
This type of grass can be considered a weed in some areas. It is highly invasive. It could encroach other habitats and it could be very hard to eliminate.
Look
If you want to grow Bermuda grass, that is absolutely fine. But if you are growing something else and the Bermuda starts growing in the same area, the latter will compete with your original plant’s nutrients.
It grows really fast, too.
Moreover
It’s quite tough. This actually makes it a really good type of grass in sports fields.
It is quite common for athletes to strongly stomp on sports fields during practice and in the middle of events.
But this grass is tough
It would be hard to get rid of it. But if patches are damaged from overuse, the recovery time is very quick.
Some golf courses even make use of Bermuda instead of the more popular and acceptable zoysia grass.
Did you know?
There are hundreds of Bermuda grass cultivars around the world. Bermuda, itself, prefers really warm weather. It needs total sunlight.
Some cultivars were meant for the Bermuda grass to have more flexible environmental tolerance.
With its many characteristics
Bermuda grass is a popular type used in lawns. It’s great for pastures, too.
Benefits
Should you plant Bermuda grass? Absolutely! There are just so many great things about it.
Versatile
It’s a great grass for your lawn, that’s for sure! You don’t even have to worry about people passing on it too much.
In fact, this is the type of grass that a sports field should have.
For example
Golf courses use Bermuda grass, too. Although, most golf courses, especially those that are used for professional tournaments, use zoysia grass.
Some baseball and international football games are done on grassfields.
So
If Bermuda grass thrives in sports fields where foot traffic could be rough, then this versatile grass will survive your lawn just fine.
It’s a popular grass for parks, too. There are just so many ways to use it.
Green all-year long
Bermuda thrives during the warm season and will go dormant in the cold.
That’s precisely why this type of grass is used in so many ways because it keeps the open space really green.
This is what you should expect:
Beautiful lawn for the entire year!
Easy to take care of
As long as you plant the grass in the appropriate conditions, the Bermuda will be lush and green.
You should just allow the grass to bask in the sun and water it properly, then it’s going to be healthy.
You know
You can have picnics on it, or play with the entire family on it, and you will barely damage the Bermuda-covered lawn.
In fact, that’s why a Bermuda grass is considered a weed in certain circumstances because it’s quite hard to get rid of it.
Best Time to Plant Bermuda Grass
I’ve been saying over and over again that Bermuda grass thrives in warm conditions. That should give you a clue on the best time to plant Bermuda grass.
So, when is it?
March or April are the best months to plant Bermuda grass. It’s spring so there is plenty of sun and it will have many months of growth.
If spring time is still quite cold in your area, here’s a great rule of thumb: air temperature should be over 65°F during the day. Hotter than that would be even better.
You see, since Bermuda grass prefers lots of sunlight, fall and winter are definitely not the best time to plant Bermuda grass.
On the other hand
If you plant it during the summer, it won’t have enough time to develop strong roots before the cold season starts.
What else to know?
This type of grass is not fussy when it comes to soil. It can even bloom in coastal regions despite the salt spray, which is the bane of many plants.
The original Bermuda needs total sunlight. But since there have been many cultivars over the years, some could already tolerate partial shade.
How to grow?
Originally, it was only grown from sprigs. But there are now seeds of Bermuda grass that could be used in planting.
Here are some important care tips:
Watering
When newly planted, you have to lightly water the grass every day. Once the grass has been established, it doesn’t need daily watering anymore.
However, it would need at least an inch of water every week. If there is rain, consider that part of the volume of water needed by the grass.
When is it time to mow?
If the grass is already two inches tall, then you can start mowing it. Mowing is not just about having a well-manicured lawn, it also allows the grass to toughen up.
You can then apply fertilizer six weeks after planting. By fall, you can apply weed control.
Summary
Bermuda grass is a great lawn grass. It’s easy to take care of as long as you have a warm climate. This is why Bermuda is a popular grass choice in many open spaces like parks, sports fields, and other similar areas.
When is the best time to plant Bermuda grass? Definitely sometime in the spring when the temperature can be 65°F or higher. March and April seem to be the best months to plant the grass.
Knowing the best time to plant Bermuda grass will help you attain a lush grass in a short amount of time. Spring is just perfect because it gives the grass a lot of time to really develop a strong root system.
You Might Also Like
Now that you have an idea about Bermuda grass, you might also want to read about zoysia grass. It’s similar to Bermuda in the sense that it is not persnickety about its living conditions.
After getting to know two of the most popular types of grass for lawn, the next logical step is to know the 10 basic procedures to having a perfectly manicured lawn.
Useful Resources
- Growing Bermuda Grass: Learn About the Care of Bermuda Grass – Gardening Know How
- 15 Year-Round Lawn Care Tips – HGTV
- Seven Lawn Care Tips – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine
