Seeding & Tilling for Bermuda Grass

Initial Tilling and Weed Removal

• Before planting Bermuda grass, remove weeds from the planting area by pulling them by hand or using an herbicide. Also, remove any large obstacles such as rocks under the soil. Wet the soil, allow it to drain for two days and till the area as deeply as possible. Send a sample of soil to a lab or nursery for nutrient testing and observe the texture of the soil. If test results show high-nutrient levels and a loamy soil texture, allow the soil to settle until walking on the soil leaves an imprint 1/8 inch or shallower. After the soil settles, it is fine to seed the grass without adding fertilizers or organic matter.

Tilling and Organic Material Additives

• If soil tests reveal low-nutrient levels or the soil has an overly sandy or heavy clay texture, add some organic matter, such as compost or manure, before seeding. The University of Arizona recommends wetting and tilling the soil a second time before applying a layer of organic matter. Apply a couple inches of the organic material before tilling it in to a depth of at least 6 inches. Organic matter improves both soil texture and nutrient levels. If the soil requires more nutrients but already has an acceptable texture, fertilizer will work fine in place of organic matter.

Seeding Bermuda Grass

• The University of Arkansas recommends seeding Bermuda grass during the spring, ideally sometime from March to May. Apply 1 to 2 lbs. of grass seed per 1,000 square feet of slightly damp soil. Sprinkle the seeds evenly across the surface of the soil, and then rake the area to incorporate the seeds into the soil to a depth of 1/8 inch.

Bermuda Grass Establishment

• Keep the young seeds moist but not overly saturated until the lawn establishes itself. If erosion threatens to prevent the seeds from taking root, consider adding in some ryegrass to prevent erosion while Bermuda grass establishes itself. Once Bermuda grass is growing strong, it can tolerate some droughts but prefers 0.1 inch to 0.3 inches of water per day. The herbicides carfentrazone and quinclorac are safe to use for weeds in Bermuda grass seedlings.