Can Bermuda Grass Grow in Georgia Clay?

Climate

• Bermuda will grow in all parts of Georgia, which lies in USDA plant hardiness 7 and 8. USDA zones, based on average winter low temperatures, are more appropriate for flowering plants than for grass, however. Bermuda is a warm-season grass, meaning it thrives best at temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit and tends to go dormant in the winter. Bermuda is the most widely grown turf grass in the warm-humid grass growing zone in the southeastern United States that includes Georgia. Clay soils are found throughout the Southeast.

Preferred Soil

• While Bermudagrass will grow in clay, it should be well drained. The grass grows best in soil with a pH between 6 and 6.5, although it will tolerate acid or alkaline soils, those with a pH lower than 6 or above 7. Since Bermuda tolerates salt well, you can grow it in coastal areas of Georgia.

Planting in Clay

• If you don't want to sod your lawn, you have to plant sprigs for all Bermudagrasses except for common Bermudagrass and some improved seeded hybrids. If you plant sprigs in Georgia clay, do not cover the roots with more than 1 or 2 inches of soil. Clay soils often crust over after rain, and the sprigs might not survive if you plant them deeper.

Compacted Clay Soil

• Heavy foot traffic can compact clay soil. Compacted clay blocks air and water from grass roots, causing Bermuda to form layers of thatch or dead grass. Remove the thatch with a power aerator with hollow tines that remove cores of soil 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide and 2 to 3 inches deep. The best time to do this is when the soil is moist and the grass is actively growing. A second, more involved method, is to topdress it by spreading a thin layer of topsoil over the turf to encourage microbes that will break down the thatch. University of Georgia horticulturalists recommend spreading 1/2 to 1 cubic yard of soil per 1,000 square feet to achieve a 1/8 to 1/4 inch layer.