How to Maintain Healthy Bermuda Grass

Overview

Bermuda grass is a a tough, fast-growing grass that can be used for lawns or to grow hay for farms or animals. Although Bermuda grass can take awhile to establish strong roots, maintenance of this grass is not as time-consuming as regular lawn grasses. In order to maintain healthy, lush, green Bermuda grass, it is important to pay attention to the aeration each year, amounts of sunlight, and to be consistent with water and fertilizing.

Step 1

Plant Bermuda grass where it will get at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Keep in mind that full shade will cause the grass to thin out and become sparse.

Step 2

Water the Bermuda grass each week once, with a deep watering that is broken up into two sessions, each lasting about ten minutes. This will allow the first watering session's couple inches of water to soak in. In dry or hot climates increase watering as needed to keep the soil moist.

Step 3

Mow the Bermuda grass once a week to maintain a height of 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches. If the grass is used for a golf putting green, it needs to be about 1/8 inch high.

Step 4

Fertilize at least twice a year with a granular lawn fertilizer, once in the spring after the last frost, and again in early fall.

Step 5

Aerate or dethatch the lawn twice a year during the growing season. Use a dethatching rake over the lawn, raking in one direction then discarding the loosened thatch. Or, use an aerator over the entire span of the lawn. This process ensures that the nutrients and watering will get to the roots of the Bermuda grass, and also increases air circulation.