Overseeding Bermuda Grass

The grass competes with the bermuda for nutrients in the spring.

Overseeding bermuda grass. Overseeding existing bermudagrass lawns with additional bermudagrass can also be done at this time. This timing is appropriate for most warm season turfgrasses because it is the best for optimum growth of grass seed due to the favorable soil temperature. Late spring or early summer is ideal for overseeding warm season grasses in the south. The annual ritual of converting all forms of bermudagrass and other warm weather lawns to a winter hardy grass will soon be in full swing throughout the desert areas of arizona.

The fertilizer may lead to cold weather injury on the bermuda if we have a severe winter. Choose a grass seed. The best time to overseed a bermuda grass lawn is during spring. Monthly fertilization might be needed during peak growth.

Cool fall weather starts earlier in the north so overseed your cool season grass by late summer or early fall if you live in there. For more information see clemson university s overseeding with ryegrass. Prepare the lawn before seeding by mowing your bermuda grass about 1 inch and by raking the lawn vigorously with a metal tined rake. After mowing rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris.

Bermuda centipede saint augustine and zoysia are warn season grasses. Adding grass to existing bermuda turf. Bermudagrass grows very well in sunny areas with well drained soil. It s normal for grass growth to slow after five or six years and weeds to make their way in.

Overseeding with ryegrass does have drawbacks. Sow 6 8 pounds of annual ryegrass per 1000 square feet and broadcast a complete lawn fertilizer than contains a slow release form of nitrogen if you have not done so already. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating. In the case of bermuda grass this is done to increase a stand density of bermuda sod and to try and help reduce or eliminate weeds.

Before overseeding your thin lawn cut your grass shorter than normal and bag the clippings. Turfgrass managers in the southern united states generally plan and budget each year to add additional bermuda grass seed or sprigs to. It is typically grown in tropical sub tropical and temperate locations. Many times the purpose of planting bermuda grass seed is to improve the existing stand of bermudagrass.

Many golf and sports turf managers as well as home owners and sports field managers are faced with drastic reductions in survival and re establishment of their permanent bermuda bases after winter ryegrass overseeding. To improve an existing bermuda grass lawn. The conversion process is fairly easy to do as long as a few simple rules are followed. Because of its aggressive growth rate bermudagrass can require more maintenance than other grasses.

If overseeding seems right for you now is the time to start getting ready. Overseed bermudagrass every few years to avoid gaps and a sparse appearance.