Bermuda grass is an ideal choice for dry, hot regions because it’s a little more tolerant of harsh and unfriendly weather.
If you’ve ever looked at Bermuda grass, though, you know there are multiple different kinds. Choosing the best Bermuda grass seed can be difficult. Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right type for your yard.
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Types of Bermuda Grass Seed
A lot of people don’t realize exactly how many types of Bermuda grass there are. Here are seven of the most popular:
1. Seeded
Seeded varieties of Bermuda grass have a fine texture. They’re darker and form a dense turf when they come in fully. These grasses are a great choice for places with high foot traffic.
2. Hybrid
These grasses are specially created from crossing two types of Bermuda grass, common and African. They’re similar to seeded in that they form a dense turf and are tolerant of foot traffic.
3. Blackjack
This is a seeded type of Bermuda grass that thrives in hot weather but is tough enough to handle a harsh winter, too. It also has an intense green color that looks great in any yard.
4. Ormond
Ormond stands out because it has small, thin leaves with a hint of blue. It’s not quite as dense as the others we’ve mentioned so far, but it is resilient against disease and is often used on cricket fields.
5. Jackpot
Jackpot Bermuda Grass is often used in baseball fields because it is such a good balance of density and thickness. It looks great and is thick enough to give a bit of cushioning to the players if they fall.
6. Yuma
If you’re looking for the same grass that is used at some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world, this is it. Yuma Bermuda Grass has a deep emerald hue that looks amazing, and it doesn’t need to be watered very often so it’s easy to take care of.
7. Oasis Blend
Anyone who wants their grass to come in as quickly as possible should check out the Oasis blend. It’s known for rapid growth and is extremely tolerant of foot traffic. You’ll commonly find it in parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields.
The 7 Best Bermuda Grass Seeds to Use For Your Lawns
Looking for the best Bermuda grass for your lawn? Here are seven of the best products out there to give you the green, durable lawn you’ve been waiting for.
This product from Scotts is much more than just Bermuda grass seed. It uses Scotts’ WaterSmart PLUS coating which absorbs twice as much water as uncoated seeds while also feeding the seeds and protecting them from disease for lush growth.
Scotts designed this product to support aggressive growth and spread to give you a thicker, greener lawn that’s tough enough to withstand drought and scorching head. You can use it to fill in new lawns or fertilizer and fill out established ones.
To apply, use the Scotts My Lawn app to determine how much product you need. Then, add the seed to your spreader and use the settings listed on the label for even coverage. This product is available in one, five, and 10-pound bags so you can get just what you need for your lawn.
2. Pennington Bermuda Grass Seed
The Pennington Bermudagrass blend produces thick, dense, durable, fine-bladed grass that stands up against hot, dry weather. This blend uses specially chosen varieties of Bermudagrass to create a lawn that’s resistant to wear and tear and can repair itself.
It comes in a five-pound bag, which is enough to cover 2500 square feet of new planting or 5,000 square feet when used as overseeding. Because this grass establishes such a deep root system, it is naturally more tolerant to drought. disease, and other harsh conditions.
Another thing that makes these seeds stand out is that they’re treated with the brand’s unique coating, Penkote. Penkote contains a stimulant that helps grass grow stronger and last longer by helping it establish itself quickly in the early growth period when the young grass is more likely to be damaged.
3. Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Bermudagrass
Scotts is at it again with this amazing EZ Seed Patch and Repair Bermuda grass. It’s a unique combination of grass seed, mulch, and fertilizer that delivers impressive results when you’re trying to repair or patch spots in your existing lawn.
The mulch component absorbs as much as six times its weight in water. It expands and surrounds the seeds to protect them during the early stages of growth. The fertilizer makes sure the seed gets what it needs to establish itself quickly
This is a great option for slanted areas and hills because it’s more likely to stay in place and establish quickly. It also contains a tackifier that prevents the seeds from washing away before they establish a strong root system.
4. X-Seed Moisture Boost Plus Bermuda Grass Lawn Seed
X-Seed’s Bermuda grass lawn seed is enhanced to germinate quickly. That means that it establishes itself fast enough to avoid some of the problems that may occur early on in the growing process.
These seeds are polymer-coated to improve water retention, making sure they have enough nourishment to thrive even in drought conditions. It does best in sandy soil with plenty of water, though it needs about 40 percent less water than uncoated seed.
This three-pound package covers 1,000 square feet when planting a new lawn and 2,000 square feet of existing lawns. Detailed application instructions are included in the packaging, so make sure you follow them for the best results.
5. Pennington Seed 15 lb Bermuda Grass Seed
Pennington Bermudagrass is ideal for southern lawns with eight hours or more of sunshine. This is pretty standard for this type of grass and is why a lot of people in the south are attracted to Bermudagrass in the first place. But this product from Pennington is different.
This seed is made up of low-growing varieties, which makes it more tolerant of cooler weather than other varieties. That also means that it can grow a little farther north than most varieties of Bermudagrass.
These seeds produce thick grass that spreads aggressively, quickly establishing a strong root system that makes it more resistant to dry weather. It uses Penkoted technology to stimulate fast, effective growth.
Outsidepride’s hybrid Bermuda grass seed established quickly – so quickly that you can get full coverage in as little as four to six weeks if you plant early in the season. In the right conditions, germination begins in as little as seven days.
Plant this Arden variety in well-drained soil and when the temperature is consistently about 65 degrees F. Because it’s a hybrid, this seed is more tolerant of cooler weather and can be planted a little further north than other varieties. According to Outsidepride, this seed thrives as far north as Richmond, Virginia.
This grass looks good enough to be used on the fairway at the golf course and adds a lot of beauty to your home. It comes in thick and dark grade, and the individual blades are thin.
7. Pennington Sahara II Bermuda Grass Seed
If you’re looking for Bermudagrass seed that’s great for high-traffic areas, Sahara II from Pennington is worth a closer look. This seed was developed to establish itself quickly and tolerates heat and drought good enough to be used in hayfields, recreational areas, and pastures.
This grass becomes a thick sod as it grows, making it tolerant to foot traffic. This also makes it resistant to corrosion, which gives it a wide range of applications. It’s finer than most varieties of Bermudagrasses and comes in green and thick. It can be used to plant new lawns or to thicken existing ones.
You can get this product in a large 50-pound bag that covers as much as 50,000 square feet, which is large enough for large lawns or commercial applications.
When is the Best Time to Plant Bermuda Grass Seed?
Bermuda grass thrives in the warm season, so it’s best to avoid planting it in the fall. Check the instructions for the variety that you’re using to be sure, but most Bermuda grasses like temperatures greater than 90°F (32°C) so summer is the best time to plant.
Some people will say it’s okay to plant in the fall, but Bermuda grass should not be planted any later than the second week of August. If you’re using a variety that can tolerate cooler northern climates, do not plant it within 90 days of the first expected frost. It generally won’t grow fast or spread quickly in temperatures lower than 60°F (15.5°C).
Dormant planting is a little risky. This involves waiting until the cool weather sets in and it’s unlikely that the temperature will get above 60°F (15.5°C). Then, the seeds are planted, and the plan is that they will remain dormant all winter until the warm temperatures come back in the spring.
How to Plant Bermuda Grass Seed?
Each product has its own specific instructions so be sure to read the instructions carefully. That said, here is a general method for planting Bermuda grass.
1. Remove all the other grass and vegetation from the area. This ensures that the grass won’t be competing with any other plants for water, sunlight, or nutrients. You can pull the plants by hand or use a herbicide, just make sure you leave enough time between the application of any herbicides and when you plant the grass.
2. Once all the vegetation is gone, use a tiller to break up the soil. This is important because it loosens and aerates the soil, giving the roots of the grass a better environment to spread. This also makes sure that the water gets down into the soil more effectively.
3. Water the dirt and wait a few weeks to see if any weeds pop up. If they do, eliminate them manually or using a chemical weed killer.
4. Till and water the ground again just to make sure all the weeds are gone. Weeds will compete with the grass and make it much harder for it to spread and take over space.
5. Wait until the temperature is steadily above 65 or 70 degrees. Then, rake the ground, turning over the top inch or so.
6. Spread the Bermuda grass seed evenly over the entire area. Then, lightly rake the surface again to break up any chunks of dirt and to mix the seeds into the soil thoroughly. Don’t rake too deep, though, because you can expose weed spores and stimulate unwanted growth.
7. Water the seeds regularly, but make sure you have good draining. Too much water and the seeds will not germinate.
FAQs
1. How Long Does It Take for Bermuda Grass Seed to Germinate?
Under the right conditions, some Bermuda grass will germinate between three and seven days. That said, if the conditions are not ideal, say, it’s too cold or too dry, it can take up to three weeks for the seeds to germinate.
In the right type of weather and with the right kind of seed, a lawn can establish itself in as little as six weeks. If you plant too early or wait until the end of the season when the temperature isn’t quite right, it can take as long as 10 weeks.
Now, if you’re talking about how long it takes a Bermuda grass lawn to fully mature, it can take as long as two growing seasons. If you’re using Bermuda grass on a sports field or golf course, it won’t tolerate the foot traffic nearly as much in the first year as it will after it matures.
2. How Often to Water Bermuda Grass Seed?
A lot of people assume that because Bermuda grass is resistant to drought, it doesn’t need watering often. This is not exactly true. Bermuda grass can survive in dry conditions, but it goes into a semi-dormant state and certainly won’t thrive.
When Bermuda grass doesn’t get enough water, it turns yellow and then browns. It will come back with regular watering, but it will be thinner and not as lush as before the dry spell. Plus, it’s easier for weeds to take over in this situation.
If you want your lawn to have a deep, lush green color, Bermuda grass needs weekly rainfall of regular irrigation. Generally, your Bermuda grass lawn needs about one inch of water a week if there hasn’t been any rainfall.
Bermuda grass prefers deep but infrequent watering. This helps the roots grow deeper as they grow toward the moisture. The soil should never be wet on the surface. Let the top dry out before watering again, whether it’s after a rain or a sprinkler system.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you might have to play around with it a bit to get it right. It’s always better for Bermuda grass to be slightly underwatered than overwaters. Too much want will kill the plant.
So, it’s tough to give a set time as to when and how much you should water your Bermuda grass. It involves a lot of monitoring the grass and soil to make sure it’s getting enough moisture without getting too much.
Again, wait until the top of the soil dries. Apply about ¼ to ½ inch of water every time. When the grass is dormant in the winter, you should still water it occasionally to prevent any weeds from taking over the area.
3. Why My Bermuda Grass Seed Won’t Grow?
If your Bermuda grass isn’t growing, there are a few things that you can do to identify the problem.
First, as we mentioned, Bermuda grass is very particular about how much water it gets. You may be over or under watering and that’s why the seeds aren’t germinating.
Bermuda grass needs a little more water when it’s germinating to encourage the growth of deep roots, but, again, there should never be puddles on the surface of the soil.
Bermuda grass also likes sunlight. It won’t grow well in shade and requires a significant amount of sunlight every day. It needs a certain temperature, too, so if you plant too early and the soil is still too cold or too late and the temperature drops, the grass likely won’t thrive.
If these things are all good and your grass is still not growing, it’s likely that the soil was not prepared adequately before planting. Remember, it’s important to break up the soil so the grass can root easily and water can make its way down into the soil.
If you didn’t take the time to kill any weeds, they may have come to the surface and are crowding out the grass. In this case, you have to take care of the weed problem before you can expect the grass to come in.
Older lawns also have the problem of compacted soil. The more you walk on your lawn, the more the soil gets tamped down and clumps together. This is precisely why it is so important to till the soil before planting.
The problem is more pronounced in older lawns, though, so you have to be a little more aggressive. Aerating the soil means pulling small but deep round plugs out of the ground so that the air can get into the soil. This process will give you grass a much better chance of success.
When grass (or any plant for that matter) isn’t growing, it’s a good idea to have the soil tested. This will tell you exactly what nutrients are missing so you can choose the most appropriate type of fertilizer.
Conclusion
Bermuda grass is a great choice if you live in a climate that is warm and dry most of the year. It comes in lush and green and some varieties are so tough, they’re used on sports fields and golf courses.
That said, Bermuda grass has to mature to get all of the benefits, which means you have to take good care of it while it’s germinating and establishing itself. The best thing you can do to make sure your Bermuda grass grows strong and healthy is to start with the best seeds.
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