Does your grass look yellow or seem patchy? If so, then it might be time to consider fertilizer. Many times, the soil doesn’t contain enough nutrients for the grass to grow healthy and strong.
When it comes to picking the right lawn food, you need to know the type of grass you have. Those with Bermuda grass need to find an appropriate fertilizer to use.
We talk about the best fertilizer for Bermuda grass and give you 10 products from which to choose. You can learn more about these items and get helpful tips. Find out when to fertilize and how to apply the fertilizer.
Table of Contents
What Is the Best Fertilizer For Bermuda Grass?
The best fertilizer to buy for Bermuda grass depends on a variety of factors. Generally, you should choose lawn food with slow-release functionality. This means that the grass continues to get nutrients throughout the season.
You also need to consider the NPK ratio. This is an indication of how much potassium (K), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) are included in the product.
In most cases, you want to use a ratio of 3-1-2. That means there is more nitrogen than the other main ingredients. Often, though, you do not see those numbers exactly.
You can use a 12-4-8 product or a 6-2-4 option. With the 12-4-8 ratio, you know that the bag of fertilizer contains 12 percent of nitrogen with eight percent potassium and four percent of phosphorus.
Some experts believe that you don’t need fertilizer at all for Bermuda grass unless you have over-seeded the lawn. In most cases, that is incorrect. All grass types need extra nutrients if you want them to look full and green.
Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are important to help with greening. Phosphorus in the soil helps the grass grow thicker and lusher while stimulating root growth. Potassium promotes thicker cell walls so that each blade of grass can withstand heat, disease, and cold.
The 10 Best Fertilizers For Bermuda Grass Lawn
We do recognize how tough it can be to scroll through multiple products, reading up on them. Use this table to get quick facts now and find out which ones you want to learn more about.
Those who want a complete and balanced lawn food might consider the Advanced Liquid Fertilizer from Simple Lawn Solutions. Its NPK ratio is 16-4-8, so it has a bit more nitrogen than the 3-1-2 blend. Still, if your lawn looks yellow, this product is highly beneficial.
The goal is to nourish your grass without laying down a lot of chemicals. This product is organic and natural. Therefore, it is safe for pets, children, and yourself.
In a sense, you can use this liquid fertilizer for any type of grass. However, it works very well for Bermuda. Also, it can be used on Centipede, Buffalo, Zoysia, and Bahia varieties.
You are going to like this product because it comes with its own sprayer. You just attach your garden hose to the spray head, and you’re good to go. Plus, one container can treat 3,200 square feet of lawn.
Since it is organic, there are seaweed and fish ingredients. These are actually essential for your lawn. They help feed it with macronutrients so that it grows thick and lush year after year.
Those who need to give their lawns a boost might like the Concentrated Fertilizer from Simple Lawn Solutions. It is not a complete or balanced lawn food. Instead, it is designed to increase the growth of your grass, including laterally and vertically.
It contains fulvic and humic acid, so it is an advanced formula. Since this product is organic, you need some biological stimulants. This is what these acids do and are quite popular in many natural lawn care products.
Though it does contain nitrogen and phosphorus, it doesn’t have any potassium. In many cases, it works well for most lawns, including those made up of Bermuda grass.
However, it also works well on many grass types. These can include Palmetto, Centipede, and Bluegrass. Also, Buffalo, St. Augustine, and Zoysia grasses are benefited.
This natural formula is non-toxic, so it can be used around children and pets. Also, it comes with its own sprayer head, so it is easy to apply and doesn’t require additional equipment.
3. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food
If you want to protect your dormant grass in the winter, the Scotts brand has you covered. Its WinterGuard Lawn food is ideal to use in the fall. While the grass is not growing, the roots are still there.
When you use this product, the roots are going to be stronger and grow deeper during the spring and summer months next year. In many cases, it’s best to fertilize during the fall. Then, the grass is ready to be lush and thick next season.
This product contains the appropriate nutrients for your lawn. Its primary goal is to repair damages from drought, heat, and regular lawn activities. Of course, since you put it on during the fall, the roots are better prepared to handle the winter weather.
You can also be assured that the product improves your lawn’s ability to absorb more water from the rain. This means the grass is going to be able to take care of itself throughout its growing season.
4. Scotts 44615A Green Max Lawn Food
Do you want a greener lawn? If so, then you need Green Max from Scotts. It comes in standard form, but Florida residents have their own type. From the moment you use the product, you can get a greener lawn in three days.
This means it contains a lot of nitrogen. There is no listing as to the NPK ratio. Therefore, we assume that there is no potassium or phosphorus, or it comes in very little amounts.
Still, this is a two-in-one formula that supplements the lawn with iron and feeds it well. Grass needs iron so that it can make chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis.
If you notice bare spots on your lawn, then this product is ideal for you. It is designed to thicken the grass and make it lush. Therefore, it is going to spread to cover those areas without any.
With a thicker turf, you also have the advantage of crowding out weeds. You may not need to use a weed killer because they don’t have room to grow.
5. Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food
When it comes to building up your lawn and making it look great, the Scotts brand has you covered. Its Turf Builder Lawn Food is designed to strengthen and feed your grass. This means you are going to have fewer problems in the future.
Using this product ensures that the roots grow deeper and become stronger with time. You are also going to see that your grass can absorb nutrients and water better.
Of course, the Scotts brand is well-known for its patented technology called all-in-one particles. This means that each bit of plant food has all the necessary nutrients. That way, you get a more even feeding, which leads to an all-around greener lawn.
You are also going to like that it works on all types of grass. This means it is ideal for Bermuda grasses.
Keep in mind that you do need to use a fertilizer spreader. If you don’t already have one, you are going to have to buy extra equipment.
6. Miracle-Gro 1001834 Water Soluble Lawn Food
When it comes to growing things, Miracle-Gro is the brand many people trust. It works well, and the lawn food it offers is designed to feed your grass instantly. Plus, you can use it on Bermuda and other types.
The goal of the product is to encourage a softer, greener carpet of grass to grow. Since it works quickly, you can be the envy of the neighborhood in just a few short weeks. Of course, this product is designed to be used every month to month and a half.
One box contains 5 pounds of fertilizer. This allows it to cover 4,000 square feet. Usually, that is enough for most lawns, though you should measure yours first to be sure.
It’s designed to be used with the garden feeder from the same brand. If you don’t already have this in your garden shed, you can use a watering can or another type of feeder product.
Since it is water-soluble, you need to mix it with water before applying it. Attach the feeder to your hose, and you are good to go. Otherwise, you can also find instructions for adding it to a traditional watering can, though this can take more time to complete the process.
7. Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
When you notice that your lawn just doesn’t look green or lush, it might be time to consider some fertilizer. The Milorganite brand is an excellent product. Plus, it is organic, so it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals.
This means that your children or pets can still go outside and play once the product has been applied. It does have an NPK ratio of 6-4-0. That means that it contains much more nitrogen than phosphorus, and there is no potassium at all.
While this isn’t a bad product, potassium can help protect your lawn from the disease. However, if your soil is balanced, this isn’t likely to be an issue.
Many people like this product because it helps you reduce the amount of time it takes to mow the grass. It’s thicker and fuller, but the lawnmower glides right through it. You may also need to water the lawn less because the grass can hold more water and use it as needed until the next rain.
8. The Andersons PGF Complete Fertilizer
If you want a complete fertilizer and don’t care if it is organic or natural, The Andersons brand is right for you. It features an NPK ratio of 16-4-8, which is a little more nitrogen than most experts recommend.
Therefore, you are going to have a greener lawn than you’ve ever had before. Plus, it contains the right amounts of potassium and phosphorus, as well.
Humic and fulvic acid are both included in the ingredient list. These are essential to help your grass process all of the nutrients. Though it doesn’t contain iron, this isn’t a significant issue because of the fulvic and humic acids.
It comes in very fine particles, so you can get more of them down per square foot. When you have more food on the lawn, it means it is distributed and used better.
The slow-release formula is ideal because it means you only have to apply the product once every two months. Therefore, you may only need to use it three times during spring and summer.
9. Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer
Are you looking to supplement your soil’s nutrients? If so, then the all-in-one fertilizer from Super Juice is ideal. It is balanced, complete, and comes in a dry mix.
You just have to add water and spray it all over your lawn. It comes in a bag, so this does mean an extra step. Still, it is a great way to apply fertilizer for more even distribution.
One bag of this product can treat 43,560 square feet of lawn, which is one full acre. It is often ideal to apply it in an NPK ratio of 14-2-4 and treat an acre. You may also use it at its half-strength with a 7-1-2 ratio to treat two acres at once or treat your acre of land twice during the season.
It contains no biowaste or waste products, though it is not organic. Therefore, it isn’t possible to ship the item to California or South Dakota, though you can buy it if you live in other states.
The Simple Grow Solutions is available from Simple Lawn Solutions. It is a concentrated liquid plant food designed for grass. This natural soil treatment can help with stressed soil, but it also increases germination rates. Those with the wrong soil pH are going to find that it can help with extended use.
Your soil often has nutrients that are locked deep within. This product is designed to release them so that your grass can take in more of the nutrients it needs.
However, this product is a booster, so it doesn’t contain a lot of nitrogen, potassium, or phosphorus. Instead, you should use it with a complete fertilizer to ensure that your soil and grass have everything they need to grow healthy and strong.
You can use it on any type of grass, but it can also help hardy trees, vegetable gardens, and much more. Plus, it is often used on commercial turf and agriculture applications, as well, so it is excellent for many needs.
When to Fertilize Bermuda Grass?
Timing is crucial when you’re fertilizing grass, especially Bermuda grasses. There is an easy schedule you can use.
During mid-spring (March through April), the Bermuda grass is starting to grow and get green. This happens when temperatures reach about 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and stay there. Once the frost danger is over, and the lawn is about halfway green, it’s time to apply your preferred fertilizer.
In mid-summer, you want to fertilize again. This is roughly two or three months after the first application. It usually falls between late June and early July.
For early fall fertilization, you want to apply it during late August or early September. It’s often best to continue using the same grass food throughout the year. Make sure that it is a slow-release formula and contains more nitrogen than the other NPK ingredients.
Keep in mind that you do not and should not fertilize Bermuda grass in the winter. This can stimulate the grass to grow, which could cause it to get damaged. However, if you do want to fertilize, the WinterGuard lawn food from Scotts might be best here.
How Much Fertilizer for Bermuda Grass?
Regardless of the NPK ratios and brand, there are universal methods to decide how much to use. You need to determine how much nitrogen is included in the bag or container. Usually, Bermuda grass needs about four or five pounds per 1,000 square feet every year.
Those who buy the slow-release formulation of nitrogen can expect to apply it three times using 1.5 pounds of nitrogen for 1,000 square feet. This should happen in spring, summer, and fall months.
The issue here is that most manufacturers don’t list the actual amount of nitrogen in the bag. Still, it’s easy to calculate with the bag’s weight and the NPK ratio. Take the percentage of nitrogen shown and multiply it by the bag’s weight.
This tells you how much nitrogen the bag contains. For example, if you have a 50-pound bag of fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 12-4-8, you multiply 12 percent by 50. That tells you there are six pounds of nitrogen in the bag.
Now, you need to figure out coverage amounts. Divide the nitrogen amount in the bag by how much nitrogen you need to apply for that period. For Bermuda grass, this is 1.5 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet.
Therefore, using the example earlier, your bag of fertilizer, which contains six pounds of nitrogen, can cover 4,000 square feet of lawn. You divide six by 1.5.
This means that you need to know the size of your yard. If it’s less than 4,000 square feet, you can remove what you don’t need. Roughly two cups of any fertilizer weigh about one pound.
While it can be a hassle to calculate it all, this is the best method. That way, you don’t over-fertilize and waste the product.
How to Apply Fertilizer to Bermuda Grass?
Granular fertilizers should be spread using a hand-held or broadcast fertilizer. This isn’t perfect, and calibrations can be off regardless of the brand. Still, knowing the size of your lawn and how much product to use (discussed earlier) helps you here.
Those who purchase liquid fertilizer should put the concentrated product in a container and attach it to their hose. Some lawn foods already do this for you. Then, just turn on the hose and spray it all over the lawn.
Conclusion
For those with Bermuda grass, the right fertilizer is essential. We know that you look to us to help you find the best product. Still, we liked the two products very much.
The Andersons brand is a complete fertilizer with the 16-4-8 ratio. This is ideal for many reasons, but it isn’t organic. Therefore, it wins out as the non-organic choice.
If you want something organic to make it safer for your pets and children, Simple Lawn Solutions has you covered. This Natural Liquid Fertilizer is also balanced and has a 16-4-8 NPK ratio.
Both products are manufactured in the US, and they both offer enough nutrients for your grass. The only decision now is whether you want organic or commercially-processed lawn food.
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