A Brief Guide to Fertilizing Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass lawns can be an excellent choice for a house’s yard. Not only do they have a lush green appearance, but they are also heat-resistant. But despite that quality, it is crucial for one to regularly fertilize these lawns for them to thrive. One also needs to know the fertilization process. So here is a brief guide that explores the importance of fertilizing Bermuda grass lawns and the right time to do so.
The importance of fertilizing Bermuda grass
Bermuda grass needs certain nutrients periodically to stay healthy and lush. The easiest way for one to supply these nutrients to their lawn is with the use of fertilizers.
The grass stays green and dense
If the Bermuda grass always seems greener on the other side, it means that the side has been well-fertilized. Regularly fertilizing the lawn with good-quality fertilizers keeps the grass healthy and green.
The soil stays healthy
The health of the Bermuda grass lawn also depends heavily on the health of its soil. So, it is crucial to use good fertilizers, as they play a major role in keeping the soil healthy.
The grass recovers easily
Grass lawns are exposed to harsh conditions, such as extreme weather and heavy foot traffic.
Keeps the unwanted guests away
Fertilizers are also effective in keeping Bermuda grass lawns free from undesirable entities such as pests, weed growths, and diseases.
The best time to fertilize Bermuda grass
While it is important to fertilize Bermuda grass, it is equally important to know the best time to do so. So here are a few details about when to fertilize Bermuda grass.
The perfect season
The best time to fertilize Bermuda grass is during the spring season, between March to May. This is because it is during the spring season that Bermuda grass grows the most. Also, fertilizing the lawn during spring will ensure it stays green and healthy throughout summer.
The right soil temperature
Even during the spring, one factor needs to be considered to ensure the time is right to fertilize Bermuda grass lawns. This factor is the soil temperature. Before adding fertilizer to their Bermuda grass lawn, one needs to check if the soil is at the perfect temperature. Ideally, the soil temperature should be between 65 and 75 degrees. One can get a soil thermometer to check the soil temperature.
Fertilizing schedule after spring
As the spring season transitions into summer, fertilization must not be stopped immediately. Rather, one must continue to feed the lawn with nitrogen-rich fertilizers until late summer, which means until about August. After that, in the early fall period, between September and October, one can feed the lawn with potassium-rich fertilizers. However, once winter sets in, one must avoid fertilizing completely. This is because, during the cold season, Bermuda grass enters its dormant state and does not grow.
Homemade fertilizers for Bermuda grass
Currently, one can choose from various fertilizers from top brands available in the market for Bermuda grass. However, the cost of commercial fertilizers is usually a lot. If one researches, one may find that the cost of the top 10 fertilizers for Bermuda lawns easily falls somewhere between $20 to $100. So, instead of buying these commercial fertilizers, one can make some homemade fertilizers for their Bermuda grass lawns, which work just as well. These homemade fertilizers are not only easy to make but are also eco-friendly and safe.
Compost tea
Compost tea fertilizer can be made easily from daily kitchen waste, such as vegetable scraps, fruit peels (especially bananas), and egg shells. These leftovers and waste from the kitchen are rich in nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus that the soil and the grass need. Here are the steps to make this fertilizer:
Fill a bucket with about 4 gallons of chlorine-free water.
Then, aerate this water with aquarium pumps.
Next, fill a mesh bag with 4 cups of compost made earlier and place this bag into the bucket, like leaving a tea bag in a cup. Give a few squeezes to the bag so the compost extract can flow into the water easily.
Leave this setup for at least a day, and then add this compost tea to a sprayer to fertilize the lawn.
Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which is crucial for plants and grass growth. Plus, they also contain certain compounds that can prevent the grass from catching any diseases. So, instead of throwing away the coffee grounds, one can utilize them as fertilizers for their Bermuda grass. Here is how one can use this kitchen waste product as a fertilizer:
Add half a pound of coffee grounds to 5 gallons of water and add this mixture to the sprayer. Besides that, one can also sprinkle coffee grounds directly onto the soil and rake them in.