How to Add Bermuda Seed to Thin Grass

Take a soil test to find out what amendments are needed to improve the health of the existing and newly planted Bermuda grass. Contact your local county agricultural extension office for soil test information and access to testing labs. A soil test is an inexpensive way to avoid adding the wrong amendments that may do long-term damage to your lawn.

Mow the existing grass to a height of 1/2 inch when you are ready to begin preparing the lawn for seeding. This prevents the old grass from shading or competing with the new seedlings.

Rake the bare spots or areas where the grass is growing thinly. Raking is done to expose the bare soil for good soil-to-seed contact. Rake up any thatch, or accumulated organic matter, as well as any grass clippings, that may prevent the new grass seed from having contact with the soil.

Pile up the thatch, dead plant material, grass clippings, and other lawn debris in a central area. Pick it up, place it in a wheelbarrow, and remove it from the lawn. Organic debris can be placed in a compost pile or used as mulch in another part of the landscape.

Spread the soil amendments recommended by the soil test over the lawn at the recommended rate. Water the amendments into the soil. Before spreading seed, wait until the soil dries to the point where you do not leave footprints.

Place Bermuda grass seed in a dry bucket along with dry soil gathered from the lawn. Mix at a ratio of 1 part seed to 3 parts soil. The dry soil helps spread the seed equally, and it will slightly cover the seed while it is broadcast. The amount of Bermuda grass seed recommended by Texas A&M University for bare soil is 1 pound per 1000 square feet, so adjust the amount of seed needed according to the amount of bare ground visible within the lawn.

Spread the Bermuda grass seed and dry soil mixture over the thin areas of the lawn. Throw it by hand, or broadcast the mixture so there is uniform coverage.

Spread a thin layer of compost over the lawn, so the seed is buried at a depth of approximately 1/4 inch. Do not cover the seed too deeply.

Water the newly seeded area as often as needed to keep the lawn moist, but not soaking wet, until the new grass appears. Continue to keep the soil moist until the grass is actively growing, then water the lawn on the normal watering schedule, which should be the equivalent of 1 inch of rainfall per week.