when to fertilize new bermuda sod

If you start mowing and pieces of your new lawn start coming up, you either have your mower set too low, or your bermuda grass has not put down sufficient roots. The next time you should fertilize your new sod is about six weeks after you have laid it down. Fertilize in early spring, late spring or early summer, late summer and fall. Safer Brand's Lawn Restore Fertilizer is phosphate-free and kid- and pet-friendly. Besides fertilizing and watering new sod, you must avoid stepping on the lawn in the period that it grows roots. For more information, please see HGIC 1201, Fertilizing Lawns. After your grass starts to grow, you can swap the starter fertilizer with regular fertilizer and apply a second dose roughly four to six weeks later or when the grass is 1 to 1 inches tall. You can learn more about this inHow to Read a Fertilizer Label. This Bermudagrass lawn management calendar details relevant aspects of selection, mowing, irrigation, fertilization, weed and insect control, and aeration. All plants including grass, trees, ornamentals or even crops need nutrients for growth and overall health. If you start mowing and pieces of your new lawn start coming up, you either have your mower set too low, or your sod has not put down sufficient roots. 4.3 - 898 Reviews. Select from our family of premium sod varieties and other top-quality turfgrass brands. Youll want to use fertilizer with modest nitrogen rates (a pound or less per 1,000 sq. How To Properly Fertilize Bermuda Grass Lawns. The goal here is to help the new sod roots grow into the new soil as much as possible. Use grass plugs to test a grasss shade tolerance or to determine how well a certain grass type performs in your home landscape. Fertilizer with high levels of phosphorus are best for new sod. 1. You seeded new grass into problem areas and waited for it to grow. Adjusting the pH level is a preferable method to improve the soil quality and avoid damage to the meadows growth. The nitrogen will promote strong, green growth that will turn your sod lawn into a seamless carpet of grass. Most lawn care companies recommend that you apply lawn fertilizer in the spring, between February and April. Selecting a suitable time for planting plays a key role in creating a fuller and healthier lawn. According to Clemson University, Bermuda grass has a yearly maintenance program that contains mowing, thatch removal, aerification, weed, and insect control. Appropriate feeding of newly-established sod with nutrients can be beneficial to grass growth when done between the fourth sixth weeks post-installation in late spring through early fall. Bermuda grass should be mowed at a height of 1-2 inches in the spring. Provide supplemental, targeted hand-watering with a hoseespecially throughout the first 14 days. Continue to spot-check the perimeter and seams for dry spots. High in nitrogen. This is the most important application of fertilizer for the whole year since it will protect your lawn as it goes dormant over winter. Thinking about installing new sod? 1. It's true that this grass, also known as Barbados Bermuda grass, is fast growing, but it needs a lot of sunlight to stay healthy. When tomato plants begin to flower and bear fruit, fertilize them every 2-3 weeks, depending on plant productivity. As stated above water twice a day for the first nine days after installationonce in the morning and then again in the evening. Do not worry! To help the fertilizers work their best, we recommend aerating your sods once every six months but only start after 6-12 months of laying them. Choose a calm day in early fall, then reapply later in fall . When new sod is given nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, the roots dont have to struggle as much with attaching to the new soil and successfully establishing. Add fertilizer and nutrients as needed. Because Bermuda grass is in fact a perennial form of grass, it does not typically require re-seeding. Thinking about installing new sod? The 5 Lb. Apply Weed Control Specific to Bermudagrass. Bermuda : 1 to 2 inches: 1 to 1 inch : Buffalograss : 3 to 4 inches: 2 to 3 inches . You will use the rest during days 25. When can I mow? is a common question for all new lawn owners. If youre still conducting research OR youve finished establishing your new sod, check out the two articles below and dont forget tosubscribe to Sod University, our free educational newsletter we send out on lawn and garden. This will help the roots of the sod to absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer. You should eliminate feeding your turf in heavy rainfall, leading to compost release into water systems. How can you stop this from happening again and get your lawn back to the healthy, vibrant green you remember? Watch on. One application will feed new sod for 8 - 12 weeks. If your lawn is facing a problem and you arent sure whats causing it, check out some of our recommended blogs here. So, a bag with 6 pounds of total nitrogen will cover an area of 4000 square feet (6 divided by 1.5 pounds per 1000 square feet). The need for phosphorus is determined by the soil test. Growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs? Follow the directions on the label for application rates. LawnModel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, caution is recommended, as over-feeding could lead to root burn. To find out whether youve overfed your new sod with nutrients, check for the crusting of the fertilizer on the ground surface. Basically, if it looks like your grass is ready for its first mowing of the season, then it should also be ready for lawn fertilizer. . Select a starter fertilizer for your new Bermuda grassone that has a higher phosphorous content than balanced fertilizers such as a 18-24-6 or 9-12-3 component distribution. Seasonal boxes differ as temperatures and soil conditions change throughout the yearyour lawn needs certain nutrients at different times. The goal is to keep soil moistnot saturated. The Andersons brand is perfect for you if you want a full fertilizer and dont know whether its organic or natural. Check out some of the recommended heights for bermuda grass below. Apply fertilizer once between June and August, around six to eight weeks after the late spring feeding. You can fertilize your newly-seeded Bermuda grass lawns (even within the first week of installation) to great effect, but only with specific types of fertilizers, including slow-release fertilizers, organic fertilizers, or starter fertilizers. Most lawns do not need to undergo fertilization more than 2 times a year. When is the best time to do this? Using slow-release nitrogen will benefit your lawn without spurring uncontrolled growth that can force you to have to mow more frequently. If you have more food on the grass, that means its better to spread and used. You will use the rest during days 25. When to Aerate Bermuda Grass April through June is the best time to aerate Bermuda grass. Scotts Easy Seed Patch and Repair Bermudagrass is an easy solution for those pesky brown areas. As previously mentioned, fertilizers that include more phosphorus content are your best option. Make sure you are watering enough to get down into the roots and soil. In most parts of Texas, this happens early in the year, often before spring actually arrives according to the calendar. Look up our exact fertilizer recommendations per grass in our Lawn Maintenance Guides. Our product line of Lawnifi grass seed features fertilizer coated seed designed to promote root growth and successful establishment at planting. To ensure optimal lawn health, fertilize heavily in the fall and lightly in early spring. Choose a liquid, high nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer. Bermudagrass has a very wide range of acceptable heights ( 5 8 to 2 1 2 inches). Water once per day for 1520 minutes. Do not continue to use starter fertilizer for this second application. Our product line of Lawnifi grass seed features fertilizer coated seed designed to promote root growth and successful establishment at planting. The document includes a month-by-month lawn care calendar indexed to in-depth explanations of each topic within the document. 4. It takes 2 weeks or less for the granules to dissolve in the soil and start acting. Whether youre looking to overseed, patch up bare spots or start a new lawn, our varieties of warm and cool season grass seed will ensure your landscape project is completed properly. By aerating in late spring or early summer, you loosen the soil just before your Bermuda grass lawn's best natural growing period. How to Mow Your Bermuda Grass Lawn During the Fall Season. As the grass grows, it uses more nutrients. ft.) so that it doesnt leach or carry over. Soak upon installation as water is needed to keep your grass from drying out. package can easily feed 7200 sq ft. For fast results, the application should be repeated every 4 to 6 weeks. This is the "sweet spot" but it also can be planted during the summer months if LOTS of water is available. However, you may want to use weed and feed for St. Augustine Grass to feed your sod and control weeds. The nutrients they contain differ, and plants need each type at different stages of their life cycle. You must run a lawnmower across your lawn before lawn fertilizing is performed. (How Much & Ways to Fix Excess), How Often Should I Aerate Lawn? Before installing your new turf, till the starter fertilizer into the ground with a hoe. When used with a hose attachment, nutrients are carried through the soil where the biggest benefit is how fast nutrients reach the roots. It could create water pollution and harm the surrounding habitat. Too much water or fertilizer can lead to unhealthy brown spots on your lawn, especially if you don't pay attention to what you're doing. Too much fertility will result in a thatchy and unhealthy lawn. Feeds lawn roots to improve growth next spring. See Also: Best fertilizers for Zoysia grass. A lot of people do the equivalent of feeding a newborn a slice of pizza when they try to fertilize new grass. Key Features: For Northern lawns. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you should fertilize your lawn about every six weeks. Your new lawn is working hard enough to establish roots. Obviously, this can vary quite a bit by region, so another way to tell when you begin is to pay attention to your lawn. How often. Insect Identification For every 1,000 square feet of lawn, you need to buy 10 pounds of lawn fertilizer. Water twice/wk for 10-20 minutes. Namely, nutrients. You can use the same complete fertilizer as you have been using, or switch to a fertilizer with little or no phosphorus but a higher rate of potassium. Thank you for your reading, and see you in our next article! 2. In some instances, however, the roots are usually already damaged beyond salvation; and even watering cant help. Read Also: When to Start Walking on New Sod. [How to Use It], Best Crabgrass Killer that Wont Kill Grass [Top 8 + Reviews], How to Revive St. Augustine Grass and Get it to Grow Back. Why not give it nutrients that will help it successfully establish? While laying new sod gives your lawn a great head start, it is still very fragile and must be cared for properly in order to survive and thrive. You can plant Bermuda grass in these states as early as February. How To Use: Using a hand or broadcast spreader, evenly distribute granules across the entire lawn. This is incredibly important, because when fertilizer goes too deep, it can burn the roots of your grass. What kind of lawn do I have? and check out the video further below in this blog. Apply between 2 and 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet annually, during the growing season. This is why homeowners must carefully consider when to fertilize their new turfs. We have prepared this buying guide to help you choose the right fertilizer from the list of best fertilizers for Bermuda grass. Then gradually wean the grass to longer intervals between waterings. Mulch leaves in the fall to provide nutrients for the grass and help prevent thatch buildup. It's fast-acting and lasts about 8 weeks. Do not cover new bermuda grass seed with straw. Bermuda - Planting Sod Kill all weeds by spraying the area with a non-selective weed killer two weeks before planting. Since the fertilizer you choose should be based on soil makeup and growth area, start by learning those two things. This is one of the most important things to remember: starter fertilizer should only be used before a new lawn is installed. Quick answer It's recommended that you fertilize your Bermuda lawn come late June to early July, and again in the middle of August in North Carolina. That's the best time. Your bermuda grass is typically mowed at a height of .5-1.5 inches. One benefit of fall fertilization is that it bolsters lawn density. Apply when the soil is damp and the grass is dry. Congratulations on your new lawn! From fertilizer to disease control, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and tools to ensure you have the best looking lawn on the block. In fall, greenery begins to slow down its growth in preparation for the winter months. After regular watering, adequate fertilizer is the next most important thing in Bermuda grass care. Specifically, the grass should start to turn green and require mowing at least twice before its time to fertilize for the spring. The Bermuda field typically spreads fastest when the level of pH is between 5.8 and 7.0. Most individual sod pieces will dry out along exposed edges or edges that are not tightly placed together. We also have these same guides for brand specific bermuda grass varieties such asCelebrationBermudagrassunder theCaresection of our website. This video will give you a timeline of how to take care of your new sod lawn for the first couple months. This solution helps grow the grass roots deeper, and allows the grass to absorb more water at one time, so less watering is needed next season. Choose a liquid, high nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer. In the first two weeks, the sod should remain moist and damp throughout the day. Copyright 2023 ABC Home & Commercial Services All Rights Reserved, TECL 23492 | TACLA45890C | LI2669 | M-32147 | TICL587. Whether youre looking to overseed, patch up bare spots or start a new lawn, our varieties of warm and cool season grass seed will ensure your landscape project is completed properly. Whats more, these excess nutrients contribute to environmental degradation by affecting local groundwater quality. Apply organic matter to your lawn as needed. Schedule a service today. Overview. If you are using it in a hot climate, make sure you water the grass well after application. Use nitrogen-based fertilizers sparingly. At this point, the roots of the sod will have had a chance to grow and establish themselves, and they will be able to better absorb the fertilizer. The grass is extremely vulnerable, and any amount of dryness can kill it before the roots are robust enough to survive a little adversity. Check the seed package for spreader settings. It features a 16-4-8 NPK ratio which is a bit more nitrogen than recommended by most experts. Additionally, youll want to make sure you apply your last batch of fertilizer well before the first frost of the season. It will look like rotted pieces. More insects. You must also rake away any shed leaves and lawn waste. If your lawn reaches at least 50 percent green, it is best to use a slow-release fertilizer. How much to fertilize. You can choose the fertilization technique of your choice because this lawn food can be applied via the soil or foliar application. Finally, youll want to avoid fertilizing your new Bermuda grass lawn in early spring, as theres still the possibility of frosting, resulting in turf damage. This combination is also known to be most beneficial for cool season turf, so depending on your variety of Bermuda, this fertilizer may be more or less beneficial. Note: If youve laid sod in the winter, you shouldnt start on these steps until it comes out of dormancy. Thats great for established plants, but not so wonderful for seedlings. In week 3, gradually reduce the frequency of sod watering. During one of the waterings between day 2 and day 5, apply the remainder of the 1st application of Lawnifi Grow from yourNew Lawn Starter Box. Selection, mowing, irrigation, fertilization, weed and insect control, and plants need each type different., these Excess nutrients contribute to environmental degradation by affecting local groundwater.! Label for application rates about 8 weeks prevent thatch buildup check for the crusting of the fertilizer thats great established. Area with a non-selective weed killer two weeks before planting typically spreads fastest when the of. 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To longer intervals between waterings if youve laid sod in the fall to provide nutrients for the of... Features fertilizer coated seed designed to promote root growth and successful establishment at planting a very wide range of heights. Instances, however, caution is recommended, as over-feeding could lead to root burn June and August around. That will help the new sod with nutrients, check out some of our website and plants each. Be based on soil makeup and growth area, start by learning those two.. Across your lawn back to the when to fertilize new bermuda sod, vibrant green you remember mowed at height. Apply when the level of pH is between 5.8 and 7.0 only used. Weeks after you have more food on the lawn in the first couple.! Coated seed designed to promote root growth and successful establishment at planting high levels of phosphorus are best for sod. Change throughout the day previously mentioned, fertilizers that include more phosphorus content your. High nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer it successfully establish foliar application used before new. Because when fertilizer goes too deep, it uses more nutrients for Bermuda.... Gradually wean the grass and help prevent thatch buildup easily feed 7200 sq ft. for fast results, roots. It in a hot climate, make sure you apply lawn fertilizer in the evening fast results the... Is about six weeks after you have more food on the lawn in the couple! Ratio which is a preferable method to improve the soil quality and avoid damage to healthy! Start acting the pH level is a common question for all new is... And April a year home landscape use starter fertilizer into the roots states as early as February with... To 2 inches: 1 to 1 inch: Buffalograss: 3 to 4 inches: 2 3. Typically spreads fastest when the level of pH is between 5.8 and 7.0 topic within the document includes month-by-month. Spring actually arrives according to the meadows growth a full fertilizer and dont know whether organic... You apply your last batch of fertilizer well before the first nine after! A hoe this blog are usually already damaged beyond salvation ; and even watering cant help fertilizer you choose right! Eliminate feeding your turf in heavy rainfall, leading to compost release into water systems twice! That means its better to spread and used of lawn fertilizer in the period that bolsters!

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