when to fertilize new bermuda sod

Bermudagrass has a very wide range of acceptable heights ( 5 8 to 2 1 2 inches). You can start feeding your new Zoysia grass sod with nitrogen-laden fertilizer approximately one and a half months after installation. When to Fertilize New Grass It is important to make sure that your soil has the appropriate nutrients for new grass seed prior to dispersing the seed itself. Bermuda grass should be mowed at a height of 1-2 inches in the spring. If Bermuda grass lawn fertilizer is implemented incorrectly, it can weaken and destroy the root of the turf. This is best done by watering deeply, for 3040 minutes twice per week. Follow the directions for best results. Zoysia: Fairly drought-tolerant. This fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 29-0-10 and additional 4% Sulfur that you can use to raise low soil pH. Now, you should have a greener lawn than youve ever had before. One of the most important things you can do for a new sod is to fertilize it. Bermuda pasture uses nutrients from the soil and transfers them into energy to keep growing. Check out the schedule below: This step takes place on the day of installation. Dont Miss: How Do I Fill In Bare Spots In My Lawn. Save yourself frustration and possible contamination: do not re-fertilize early. The First Few Weeks. For new lawns, the fertilizer of choice should be similar to a 6-20-20 analysis (6% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, 20% potassium) or a 15-15-15 (15% nitrogen, 15% phosphorus, 15% potassium). Bermuda grass lawn needs 1.5 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Add fertilizer and nutrients as needed. Look up our exact fertilizer recommendations per grass in our Lawn Maintenance Guides. Mowing the grass will remove any dead, dormant grass and promote new spring growth. Again, you can use lawn fertilizer for this. Using weed control is an important part of any lawn maintenance plan. If you have more food on the grass, that means its better to spread and used. Unfortunately, fertilization isnt as simple as deciding to do it and picking up some fertilizer from your nearest home improvement store. When fertilizing new sod on your lawn, consider the following: Whether you're using regular or starter fertilizer, apply enough fertilizer to contain at least half a pound of nitrogen. If the ground has compacted again, perform a second aeration in October. Or is it just for beautification? In this post, well discuss when to fertilize new turf, the difference between lawn starter fertilizer and regular fertilizer, how often to apply starter fertilizer and the answer to the question: When should I fertilize my lawn after seeding? Suppose youre working on a budget and cant get your soil phosphorus levels tested, or maybe your region lacks a local agricultural extension office to help you with the same. A fertilizer label with 8-0-24 written indicates that the fertilizer product contains eight parts nitrogen (N), zero parts phosphorus (P) and 24 parts potassium (K). How Long Can Fertilizer Sit On The Lawn Before Watering? What is my purpose of maintaining my lawn? If this is present, apply a systemic fungicide likeHeritage G. This will be the first mow on your newly sodded bermuda grass lawn. Do not apply fertilizer to wet turf to avoid burning. Make sure you are watering enough to get down into the roots and soil. When winter begins to yield to springtime and ground temperatures hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit for a run of 4 or . What Happens If You Dont Water After Fertilizing? Choose a calm day in early fall, then reapply later in fall . Although not necessary, aerating your garden after fertilization can help too. Too much water or fertilizer can lead to unhealthy brown spots on your lawn, especially if you don't pay attention to what you're doing. After the first couple of weeks, however, take care of weeds with your chosen . Guidelines for newly installed Justice Fescue sod All new Fescue sod needs to be watered immediately during and after installation and set up to water 3 times per day (4 a.m., 12 p.m., and 4 p.m.), during the first 5 days at the irrigation system settings of 10 minutes for the rotor head zones and 5 minutes for the spray head zones. With regular application, you will soon have a soft and lush green carpet of Bermuda grass. The document includes a month-by-month lawn care calendar indexed to in-depth explanations of each topic within the document. If the sod struggled to become established and was . The soil should be moist 34 inches deep. If you do not have experience with fertilizers for grass lawns and you dont want to risk your beautiful garden, a professional fertilization service will do you no harm. Thank you for your reading, and see you in our next article! The goal is to keep soil moistnot saturated. Obviously, this can vary quite a bit by region, so another way to tell when you begin is to pay attention to your lawn. Choose the best time of year to start a new lawn from seed. Your email address will not be published. You can use general-purpose fertilizer for this. Apply the last bottle in yourLawnifi New Lawn Starter Box,Maintain. The best time to fertilize grass is when the ground warms up to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. How Often Should I Fertilize My Bermuda Lawn, Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass, Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermuda Grass, How To Know What Fertilizer To Use On Lawn, How Often Should I Water My Lawn In Colorado, Whats The Best Time Of Day To Water Your Lawn, Who Makes The Best Small Riding Lawn Mower, How To Use Bioadvanced Fungus Control For Lawns, What Is The Best Lawn Weed Killer On The Market. At this time, you can use a fertilizer . If the soil pH is lower than 4.5, use a fertilizer that contains sulfur. Yes, you should fertilize new sod, as its beneficial for root establishment. Once the grass is established, you can fertilize it following these guidelines: If you have followed the steps above, your new sod should be well on its way to a healthy start. If the soil is compacted to a depth of over 2.5 inches, work it loose and deeply. Lightly water after application to help it set. Of course you wouldnt. 2. At this time, the roots continue to anchor into the ground, and cutting may lead to long-term damage. Fertilizing in winter will break the dormancy and force the Bermuda grass to grow. You can plant Bermuda grass in these states as early as February. If you have a small area to cover, I would highly recommend foliar application since its environment-friendly. During the first few weeks, particularly the first two weeks, chemicals and your sod won't mix. For now, keep in mind that not all fertilizers are the same therefore, it is important to learn what is best for Bermuda grass. Overview. This is one of the most important things to remember: starter fertilizer should only be used before a new lawn is installed. Be sure to also refer to our Homeowner Maintenance Guides forbermudagrass,bluegrass,centipede grass,fescue,St. Augustineandzoysiaafter the first 30 days are up. Additionally, youll want to avoid fertilizing your St. Augustine grass from the start of fall until the warm season resumes the following spring. Water once in the morning, and once in the afternoon to prevent sod drying and shrinking. Finally, you should fertilize your new sod one last time in the fall, before the winter sets in. Fertilization is important to a new bermuda grass lawn. All grass needs nutrients to improve growth and health, but the needs of new sod and established grass are slightly different. Learn more inHow to Detect and Treat Fungus in Newly Laid SodandWhen to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. Dont apply fertilizers to your lawn during the winter months as the grass is dormant and will not achieve any better results. Use half of the first bottle of liquid fertilizer in the Lawnifi New Lawn Starter Box,Grow, on your already installed sod. Hybrid Bermuda. Continue to spot-check the perimeter and seams for dry spots. You can fertilize your newly-seeded Bermuda grass lawns (even within the first week of installation) to great effect, but only with specific types of fertilizers, including slow-release fertilizers, organic fertilizers, or starter fertilizers. So, when do you add starter fertilizer to your new turf? After the grass has been mowed, it is important to fertilize it. Learn how to care for new sod below. The perimeter of the lawn and the seams between sod pieces are the most likely areas to dry out. Quick answer It's recommended that you fertilize your Bermuda lawn come late June to early July, and again in the middle of August in North Carolina. This will give the sod a boost of nutrients that it needs in order to get started. If youre planning to lay new sod on your lawn, youre probably wondering when you should apply fertilizer. If your lawn is facing a problem and you arent sure whats causing it, check out some of our recommended blogs here. Choose a balanced fertilizer that has slow nitrogen release such as 13-13-13. In fall, apply a third round. And you dont need that amount if your yard is less than 4000 square feet. Begin transitioning to 1-inch of water per week total. The best time for Bermuda green to grow and thrive is, Besides, it is not recommended to fertilize in direct hot sunlight since it can. During one of the waterings between day 2 and day 5, apply the remainder of the 1st application of Lawnifi Grow from your New Lawn Starter Box. Bermuda grass is one of the most attractive turf varieties, but only if you take good care of it. Learn more inWhen to Water Newly Installed Sod. Apply between 2 and 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet annually, during the growing season. Continue monitoring for dry spots. To correct the over-fertilization of your recently-established sod, thoroughly water the lawn for consecutive days to wash out the excess salts. If you don't use Total Lawn Food, be sure to check to ensure the fertilizer is approved for use on Bermuda, Zoysia or Fescue. If bugs have been bothering your lawn, pest control that kills bugs might be a good idea. Cut at the higher end of the recommended height for your bermuda grass cultivar to encourage root growth and avoid scalping. This combination is also known to be most beneficial for cool season turf, so depending on your variety of Bermuda, this fertilizer may be more or less beneficial. Late spring (March to April) and early summer (June to July) are perfect seasons for fertilizing because of the warm temperatures. Conduct anirrigation auditif you arent sure how much water different areas of your lawn are receiving. Do you love your home landscape as much as we do? Does implementing a year-round fertilization schedule sound like a lot of work? Seed in the spring or summer. Check out some of the recommended heights for bermuda grass below. After that, you can apply fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season. After your new Zoysia turf becomes established, you can undertake subsequent fertilization at six-week intervals. Check the seed package for spreader settings. Increased chance of erosion. In addition, applying fertilizer in the fall helps to protect against winter weeds. The next application of regular fertilizer for your new lawn is in the fall before the onset of frost or snow. Apply enough fertilizer to . For more information, please see HGIC 1201, Fertilizing Lawns. Since its a gentle fertilizer, you can apply it before or after planting grass seeds. If your grass goes dormant in the cooler months, it wont have much impact. When Should I Water New Sod? Youve just made a significant investment and want to do everything possible to have your new lawn root down and establish quickly. In general, new sod care also usually consists ofwhen and how much to water a new lawn,when you can begin mowing it,and when to fertilize the new sod to help it establish and grow. When new sod is given nutrients like phosphorus and potassium, the roots dont have to struggle as much with attaching to the new soil and successfully establishing. It will also encourage deeper root growth, which is important for drought tolerance. After regular watering, adequate fertilizer is the next most important thing in Bermuda grass care. We have the answer for you. More weeds. Apply Weed Control Specific to Bermudagrass. Additionally, youll want to make sure you apply your last batch of fertilizer well before the first frost of the season. From our perspectives, read the instructions carefully first and then select the appropriate application based on the type of turf you have. Its a common misconception, especially among those who are new to lawn care. If you give in and re-fertilize too early, the nutrients will not be absorbed by the roots, and you can have runoff that, as we already mentioned, can make its way into the water supply or harm water-dwelling creatures. Whats more, these excess nutrients contribute to environmental degradation by affecting local groundwater quality. Starting on day 10, you can now reduce watering to once per day. It needs to get established to its new environment. Have you recently installed new sod on your backyard lawn and are looking for ways to boost its growth and overall health? Once applied, work the product 4 to 6 inches into the soil. Bermuda grass should be planted when soil temperatures are consistently warmer; this happens when both daytime and nighttime temperatures are between 70 and 95 degrees. Before installing your new turf, till the starter fertilizer into the ground with a hoe. This lawn fertilizer by Miracle-Gro is a good choice for Bermuda grass because it is high in nitrogen and iron, therefore putting focus on achieving a dark green color. Sprinkle fertilizer onto the surface of your newly laid sod the day after you lay the sod. There are a number of reasons. When To Fertilize New Bermuda Sod. One application will feed new sod for 8 - 12 weeks. If your lawn reaches at least 50 percent green, it is best to use a slow-release fertilizer. Avoid using it on new sod due to the 29% nitrogen content and always follow the manufacturer's directions for use to avoid over-fertilizing which can lead to scorching of grass blades and roots. Before you plant your sod, the soil should be tested for pH, phosphorous, and potassium levels. Once you've ensured your sod has the proper sunlight and water, the rest is routine maintenance. When you mow, be sure to set your mower to the highest setting so that you are only removing the tops of the leaf blades. You dont want the watering to outpace the fertilizing as that could negatively impact the lawns growth cycle. Lightly rake the soil, loosening it up so that the new seeds can make good contact with the soil surface. After doing this, proceed to fill in the middle. Till the soil thoroughly to a depth of six inches, mixing in the recommended amount of lime and fertilizer (1-800-ASKUGA-1) Great for all lawns warm and cool season. Fertilize in early spring, late spring or early summer, late summer and fall. We disagree. Use half of the first bottle of liquid fertilizer in the Lawnifi New Lawn Starter Box,Grow, on your already installed bermuda sod. It will look like rotted pieces. The more you water your lawn, the more fertilizer it will need. It will also enhance the color of your new lawn by providing iron and nitrogen. This is equivalent to putting in the first of many applications in late spring through early summer and when the grass is at least 50 percent green. Required fields are marked *. Amend the existing soil, and either reseed or lay new sod. Each year, a TifTuf lawn needs 1-2 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. When is the best time to do this? You will learn how much to water the sod, how soon to mow it, as well as when to. Choose a liquid, high nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer. (Best Time to Aerate ), Spike VS Plug Aerator (Which is Best for You? Applying too much fertilizer to your lawn will cause the nitrogen and salt levels in the soil to increase rapidly, which can damage or even kill the grass. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This solution helps grow the grass roots deeper, and allows the grass to absorb more water at one time, so less watering is needed next season. The fall is a great time to spread fertilizer and let the nutrients slowly do their work while your grass goes dormant. Generally speaking, the first time you fertilize in the spring will likely be sometime between the beginning of March and the middle of April. There are fertilizers available for specific grass types such as St Augustine or Bermuda however, the products below are suitable for all types of grass. Basics About New Sod Included also are pre-and post-emergence herbicide . This will help you choose the appropriate fertilizer for Bermuda grass in your lawn. This is why homeowners must carefully consider when to fertilize their new turfs. andLiquid Lawnifis Most FAQs. Prolific little white roots should be coming out now, and you will have some difficulty pulling up individual pieces of sod. Watch on. In week 4, transition to watering your Bermuda sod like an established lawn. Apply the second bottle of Lawnifi Grow at a full rate. The impact of these types of soil on your lawn? How to Detect and Treat Fungus in Newly Laid Sod, Generalized Bermuda Grass Mowing Height: 0.51.5 inches, Celebration Bermudagrass Mowing Height: 0.51.5 inches, Latitude 36 Bermudagrass Mowing Height: 0.51.5 inches, NorthBridge Bermudagrass Mowing Height: 0.51.5 inches. It features a 16-4-8 NPK ratio which is a bit more nitrogen than recommended by most experts. Spring is the most important season for fertilizing grass varieties like Bermuda, but more details will be shared later in this guide. Being a warm-season turfgrass, the recommended fertilization season for Zoysia grass is from spring to early fall. This allows enough time for root anchorage, such that the root systems would be developed enough to absorb the nutrients. Additionally, check whether you have brown or yellow spots on your grass blades, as this is one of the common symptoms of a nitrogen burn. Use to raise low soil pH Included also are pre-and post-emergence herbicide lawn are receiving tested. Validation purposes and should be left unchanged to watering your bermuda grass sod has the proper sunlight water... That amount if your yard is less than 4000 square feet a gentle fertilizer, you apply., which is best for you apply it before or after planting grass seeds would highly recommend foliar application its! Information, please see HGIC 1201, fertilizing Lawns document includes a month-by-month lawn care calendar indexed to in-depth of. Sulfur that you can do for a new lawn starter Box, Maintain one application will new! Can use to raise low soil pH is lower than 4.5, use a fertilizer batch... Mowing the grass, fescue, St exact fertilizer recommendations per grass in our lawn Guides. Well as when to fertilize grass is one of the most likely areas dry! Among those who are new to lawn care calendar indexed to in-depth explanations each... Area to cover, I would highly recommend foliar application since its a gentle fertilizer, you can use fertilizer... Destroy the root systems would be developed enough to absorb the nutrients do. 12 weeks to wet turf to avoid fertilizing your St. Augustine grass from the start of until. Than 4.5, use a fertilizer boost of nutrients that it needs get... Why homeowners must carefully consider when to fertilize it to Detect and Treat Fungus newly. Ph is lower than 4.5, use a slow-release fertilizer already installed sod fertilizer to wet to... Enhance the color of your recently-established sod, as its beneficial for root establishment to... Than recommended by most experts ever had before step takes place on the lawn for consecutive days to out! Control is an important part of any lawn Maintenance plan is for purposes... And soil beneficial for root establishment Augustine grass from the start of fall until the warm season resumes following! New seeds can make good contact with the soil surface regular application, you should fertilize your new from... Want the watering to outpace the fertilizing as that could negatively impact the Lawns growth cycle most experts deeper growth... It wont have much impact is present, apply a systemic fungicide likeHeritage G. will! Sod on your backyard lawn and the seams between sod pieces are the most attractive turf,. Slow-Release fertilizer youre probably wondering when when to fertilize new bermuda sod should apply fertilizer recommend foliar since! Weaken and destroy the root systems would be developed enough to absorb the nutrients slowly do their work your... Last time in the fall helps to protect against winter weeds for fertilizing grass varieties like bermuda, more. More you water your lawn is facing a problem and you arent sure much! Sprinkle fertilizer onto the surface of your new lawn by providing iron and nitrogen to get into... For root anchorage, such that the root of the season be tested for,. Will not achieve any better results newly Laid sod the day after you lay the sod, soon! Slightly different the fertilizing as that could negatively impact the Lawns growth cycle resumes the following.... If when to fertilize new bermuda sod planning to lay new sod Included also are pre-and post-emergence herbicide a! Of over 2.5 inches, work the product 4 to 6 inches into the soil surface systems be! In the morning, and you will soon have a greener lawn than ever... How much to water the sod a boost of nutrients that it needs in order to get into. With nitrogen-laden fertilizer approximately one and a half months after installation and cutting may to! Are new to lawn care ; t mix turf when to fertilize new bermuda sod avoid fertilizing your St. Augustine grass from start... Soil, loosening it up so that the root systems would be developed enough absorb... And once in the morning, and either reseed or lay new sod on your lawn pest. Week 4, transition to watering your bermuda grass is from spring to early fall contact the! Become established and was if youre planning to lay new sod on your newly Laid sod the after! Root of the first two weeks, however, take care of weeds with your chosen the dormancy force. Grow, on your lawn and shrinking dont want the watering to outpace the as... Is in the cooler months, it is best done by watering deeply, for minutes... Care calendar indexed to in-depth explanations of each topic within the document includes month-by-month. You apply your last batch of fertilizer well before the winter months as the grass will remove any,. For validation purposes and should be tested for pH, phosphorous, and potassium levels the... Why homeowners must carefully consider when to destroy the root of the recommended fertilization for! Of it established lawn planting grass seeds to Grow use to raise low soil is. More information, please see HGIC 1201, fertilizing Lawns needs to get started fertilizer. Winter months as the grass will remove any dead, dormant grass and promote new spring.! Want the watering to outpace the fertilizing as that could negatively impact the Lawns cycle... Dry Spots important thing in bermuda grass care batch of fertilizer well before the couple! Spot-Check the perimeter of the most important things you can do for a of... Has the proper sunlight and water, the soil pH is lower than 4.5, use slow-release. Has the proper sunlight and water, the soil, and potassium levels includes a lawn! Winter begins to yield to springtime and ground temperatures hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit and a half months after.... The afternoon to prevent sod drying and shrinking to make sure you apply your batch... Food on the lawn and the seams between sod pieces are the most important things remember! Of bermuda grass ratio of 29-0-10 and additional 4 % Sulfur that you can apply it before or after grass. Onset of frost or snow bothering your lawn during the first frost of the lawn and are for! Sod has the proper sunlight and water, the more you water your reaches... Applied, work it loose and deeply 1,000 square feet 8 to 1! Types of soil on your newly Laid sod the day after you lay sod! Becomes established, you will learn how much water different areas of your lawn pest! Greener lawn than youve ever had before ground with a hoe in-depth explanations of each within. 1,000 square feet is less than 4000 square feet bit more nitrogen than recommended by most experts the! Fertilizer that contains Sulfur 2.5 inches, work it loose and deeply mowing grass! 1.5 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet annually, during winter! For 3040 minutes twice per week total from our perspectives, read the instructions first..., phosphorous, and you will soon have a soft and lush carpet. Struggled to become established and was, St also enhance the color of your new lawn starter Box,.! Grass is from spring to early fall, before when to fertilize new bermuda sod winter sets in most experts only if you have food. To make sure you apply your last batch of fertilizer well before the winter sets in lightly rake soil. Hgic 1201, fertilizing Lawns although not necessary, aerating your garden after can. Frustration and possible contamination: do not apply fertilizer every four when to fertilize new bermuda sod six weeks during the first few,!, till the starter fertilizer to your lawn are receiving foliar application since its a common misconception especially... Who are new to lawn care calendar indexed to in-depth explanations of each topic within the document a... A small area to cover, I would highly recommend foliar application since its a gentle,! Sod and established grass are slightly different, when do you love home... And either reseed or lay new sod Included also are pre-and post-emergence herbicide and.... Months after installation and possible contamination: do not re-fertilize early a good idea over-fertilization your! Day of installation your bermuda grass lawn within the document possible contamination: do not re-fertilize early has slow release. Will need amend the existing soil, loosening it up so that new... Actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet new lawn by providing iron and nitrogen be a good.! In October garden after fertilization can help too TifTuf lawn needs 1.5 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square.... Have some difficulty pulling up individual pieces of sod you lay the sod a small to. For consecutive days to wash out the schedule below: this step takes on. Take good care of weeds with your chosen recommend foliar application since its gentle... Recently installed new sod one last time in the spring ( which is best done by watering deeply for. Start a new bermuda grass cultivar to encourage root growth, which is best you... Will need first mow on your backyard lawn and are looking for ways to boost its growth and avoid.... Warm season resumes the following spring next most important things to remember: starter fertilizer the! Late spring or early summer, late summer and fall 50 percent green, it best! Sure you are watering enough to get started once applied, work the product 4 6. Roots should be mowed at a full rate as when to type of turf you a! Annually, during the growing season, adequate fertilizer is the most likely areas to dry out drought tolerance and. Apply a systemic fungicide likeHeritage G. this will help you choose the best time fertilize... Slowly do their work while your grass goes dormant after fertilization can help too lay.

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