Bermuda grass, a common type of perennial grass found in the southeastern United States, is typically planted for its drought-tolerance and low maintenance.
There are many factors that can contribute to Bermuda Grass thinning. You may have noticed a change in the quality of your lawn over time, and it’s not just due to weather conditions. If you want thicker grass, there are some ways to improve soil health and boost plant growth for your favorite lawn.
If you’re looking for tips on how to make bermuda grass thicker or how to plant Bermuda seed, this article will be helpful!
4 Tips On How To Make Bermuda Grass Thicker
Here are 4 tips to to make bermuda grass thicker:
1. Fertilize with a slow release fertilizer such as Milorganite, which is organic and contains micronutrients that are not found in other fertilizers. It also contains iron to prevent chlorosis, a condition where the grass turns yellow from lack of iron.
2. Water only when necessary. When you water your lawn, water deeply and infrequently (deep watering). This will encourage deeper roots and make the turf thicker.
3. Aerate your lawn every 3-5 years to remove plugs of soil from the thatch layer and to allow air into the root zone for healthier roots. The plugs can be left on top of the lawn to decompose or can be removed by raking them up before they break down (keep them out of waterways). If you do not aerate, you may have to mow more often because there is less room for the roots to grow in compacted soil.
4. Avoid using weed killer on Bermuda Grass, especially around trees and shrubs that are shallow rooted or have shallow root systems like azaleas, camellias, gardenia, hydrangea, rhododendrons and roses since it can kill these plants over time due to herbicide build up in their root zones from Bermuda grass growing nearby!
How To Green Up Bermuda Grass
If you notice that your Bermuda grass is turning yellow or brown, here are some tips on how to keep bermuda greener longer!
1. Watering
If you want to make bermuda grass greener, water it regularly. Watering your lawn will help it stay green and lush all year round. The best time to water is in the morning, when the sun has not had a chance to evaporate the moisture yet. You should also avoid watering at night, as this can lead to fungus and disease problems that will ruin your lawn.
2. Mowing
Mowing your lawn too short can cause it to dry out faster than normal, so always leave some length on your lawn if you want it to remain green all year round. You should also avoid using a mower with a bag or mulching attachment on Bermuda grass as they tend to chop up the leaves and dry them out quickly. Always use a reel mower for Bermuda grass instead of a push mower or riding mower. In addition, never let the grass get above 3 inches tall before cutting it again because this will make it harder for sunlight to reach the roots of your turf and keep it healthy and green.
3. Fertilizing Your Lawn
You may be tempted to fertilize your bermuda grass in an attempt to make it greener but this is not recommended as fertilizers are high in nitrogen which can actually turn bermuda yellow if used too much or too often. If you do choose to fertilize your bermuda grass, only do so once per year in late fall or early winter (after the first frost). Be sure not to over-fertilize as this can burn off the top of your grass leaving bare patches behind!
4. Aerating Your Lawn
Aeration helps improve drainage in sandy soils which can help keep Bermuda grass greener by allowing more oxygen into the soil where roots reside and preventing root rot from occurring due to poor drainage conditions. You can aerate by using an aerator tool such as those found at http://www.lawnmowersdirectuk.co/garden-tools/aerators/british-turf-company-turbine-aerator/ or renting one from a local home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowes etc.. Just be sure not to go overboard with this if you don’t have sandy soil because aerating too much will damage your turf!
FAQs
What is the best fertilizer for Bermuda grass?
Potassium-based fertilizers are always a good idea. Lawn fertilizer often contains nitrogen because it helps promote fast growth.
However, a lawn’s primary need is for potash (potassium) which will help your lawn recover from winter wear and tear so that it emerges clean, green and healthy come springtime.
Does cutting Bermuda grass help it grow?
Grass grows when it produces new shoots that emerge from its crown and develop into stems. These are then topped by leaf blades that collect solar energy through photosynthesis.
The more sunlight a plant receives, the faster it will grow. So if you cut your lawn regularly, you’ll be removing some of its leaves and exposing its crown to more sunlight, thus helping it grow faster.
Factors that should be considered when deciding whether or not to cut are how fast your Bermuda grows (i.e., does it grow better after a trim versus in its natural state?), what neighbors like you about your lawn (e.g., communities with covenants usually require that lawns have green grass), and how much time one has for upkeep on a given day (therefore cutting may make lawn care much more time-consuming, and while keeping Bermuda’s at their natural length may be frustrating, many find it is worth the extra work for the aesthetic).
Is Epsom salt good for Bermuda grass?
Bermuda grass is salt-tolerant and can handle the application of Epsom salt.
Epsom salt is a magnesium supplement which often has health benefits. For Bermuda grass, it would be beneficial to use Epsom salt if there are nutrient deficiencies in the soil.