How to Care for Bermuda Sod

Overview

Bermudagrass is a very common type of grass used in lawns and golf courses. Homeowners love its lush and dense growth and relatively low water needs. Laying bermudagrass sod (sometimes casually called Bermuda sod) is often used to start a bermudagrass lawn. Provide your new bermudagrass sod with the correct watering and fertilization to ensure proper establishment so you can enjoy your bermudagrass lawn for years to come.

Step 1

Water the freshly laid bermudagrass sod 4 to 6 times per day, or as needed to keep the soil beneath the sod perpetually moist to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Check for moisture depth by inserting a screwdriver or similar tool into the soil.

Step 2

Decrease watering 2 weeks after the sod has been installed. By now, the bermudagrass will have grown roots and become established. Water once or twice a week with enough water to irrigate the soil to a depth of 6 inches. This encourages deep root growth for a healthier bermudagrass lawn.

Step 3

Mow the bermudagrass as needed to keep it at the appropriate height. Hybrid bermudagrass lawns should be trimmed to 1/4 inch to 1 inch, while common bermudagrass is typically kept at 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches.

Step 4

Fertilize the bermudagrass. Use a soluble nitrogen fertilizer monthly, available at all nurseries and garden stores, at a rate of 1/2 pound for every 500 square feet of bermudagrass lawn. Alternatively, use a standard lawn fertilizer applied at the rate listed on its label as potency varies by product.

Step 5

Eradicate weeds. Though a healthy bermudagrass lawn is typically too dense for most weeds, some invasive plants may occasionally crop up in newly laid sod. Pull the weeds out by hand or spray the affected area with a selective bermudagrass-safe herbicide, available at most garden stores.