Getting bermuda to sprout and spread.

Em – posted 23 July 2004 06:43

We live in the shallow soil (alkaline)area of San Antonio, enjoying a buffalo grass yard for 15 years until it died.

April of last year, we got rid of the buffalo and weeds then sewed common burmuda, keeping it wet to get it to sprout (approx 10 days) to no avail. We reseeded again, once with the common then with 2003 penkoted sahara, with very poor results.

Earlier this year, we applied a thin layer of compost. Since it warmed up late this year, we reseeded with 2004 sahara in May, then had 12 inches of rain in June. So far we have very poor coverage.

Growing up in Texas, I thought it was impossible not to grow bermuda. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks

Growing up in Texas, I thought it was impossible to

grassnut – posted 23 July 2004 13:48

Hi Em,

Sorry to hear that your having problems. Bermuda needs 4 things to germinate.

1. Full sun for at least 5 hours a day.2. Good drainage.3. Ground temp to remain above 60 degrees.4. To remain moist, but no puddles.

Meeting this criteria, should result in germination, the quality of germination depends on many factors.

1. Do a complete soil test. Don’t rely on a kit purchased at a home center. Send it to an agriculture lab that does testing for turf applications.

2. On the soil test application, indicate the type of grass you want to grow and they will provide the recommended amounts of amendments for that grass and for your soil conditions. Don’t worry about adding the fertilizer they recommend at this time because this is for maintaining an established turf, not for new seedlings, but you should add either lime or sulfur to get to the correct ph level if needed.

3. Once you have you seed bed ready, you need to decide on the seeding process. You can either do it yourself with a broadcast spreader or have a qualified hydroseeder (or hydromulcher) come out. If you decide to go with a hydroseeder, give them a call and they’ll pretty much handle it from here and will give you watering instructions.

4. If you do it yourself, try this. Broadcast a good quality starter fertilizer. You can go to Lesco and get “professional” quality, but Scott’s Starter Fertilizer is available at Wal-Mart and Home Depot and works very well. Broadcast the recommended amount of seed (usually about 3 lbs/1000 ft. for Bermuda) and cover with about 1/4 inch of topsoil or at the very least, rake the area and try to cover the seed with a thin layer of soil. Then take a lawn roller (available at most tool rental shops) filled about 1/2 way with water and roll the entire area. This will insure good seed to soil contact.

5. Now start watering. You want to keep it moist, but no puddles. You may have to water many times a day for short periods of time. Don’t water at night.

In about 2 weeks you should have pretty good germination. If you get heavy rains and didn’t have it hydroseeded, you will probably loose some of your seed. If so, just broadcast some seed in the bare spots and start watering again.

After the grass is about 2 to 3 inches tall, you can mow. Try not to remove more than 1/3 of the blade on each mowing. After a couple of mowings, fertilize with the recommended (soil test) formula. In about 6 weeks, you should have a very nice lawn. But remember, start with a soil test.

Good Luck,

Brad