Overseeding Bermuda Grass

Overseeding with ryegrass does have drawbacks.

Overseeding bermuda grass.

After mowing rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. Because of its aggressive growth rate bermudagrass can require more maintenance than other grasses. Overseeding existing lawns with bermuda grass. Late spring or early summer is ideal for overseeding warm season grasses in the south.

It is typically grown in tropical sub tropical and temperate locations. It s normal for grass growth to slow after five or six years and weeds to make their way in. Choose a grass seed. For more information see clemson university s overseeding with ryegrass.

Turfgrass managers in the southern united states generally plan and budget each year to add additional bermuda grass seed or sprigs to. Bermuda centipede saint augustine and zoysia are warn season grasses. The conversion process is fairly easy to do as long as a few simple rules are followed. Prepare the lawn before seeding by mowing your bermuda grass about 1 inch and by raking the lawn vigorously with a metal tined rake.

If overseeding seems right for you now is the time to start getting ready. The best time to overseed a bermuda grass lawn is during spring. Adding grass to existing bermuda turf. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating.

Overseed bermudagrass every few years to avoid gaps and a sparse appearance. 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. Always overseed with the exact same variety for uniformity. Monthly fertilization might be needed during peak growth.

The grass competes with the bermuda for nutrients in the spring. 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. Overseeding existing bermudagrass lawns with additional bermudagrass can also be done at this time. To improve an existing bermuda grass lawn.

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. 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. Bermudagrass grows very well in sunny areas with well drained soil.

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. Similarly it might be necessary to mow twice a week during this period to keep bermuda.