How to Plant Bermuda Grass
How to plant bermuda grass from seed or sod. Soil preparation, seeding rates, sod installation, watering schedule, and expected germination timeline.
Common bermuda can be established from seed (cheapest, $5 to $15 per 1,000 sq ft) or sod. Hybrid bermuda (Tifway, TifTuf, Celebration, Tahoma 31) can only be established from sod ($0.40 to $0.80 per sq ft), plugs, or sprigs because hybrid bermuda doesn't produce viable seed. Choose based on your budget and variety preference.
Bermuda seed germinates when soil temperature stays above 65 degrees. In the Southeast, this is late April to May. In Texas, April. In the transition zone, late May to June. Planting too early results in poor germination and wasted seed. Use a soil thermometer at 2 inches to confirm.
For new lawns, till the top 4 to 6 inches and rake smooth. Remove rocks and debris. A soil test is ideal but not required. For overseeding into an existing thin lawn, core aerate first and scalp the existing grass short. Bermuda seed needs soil contact to germinate.
Use a broadcast spreader for even coverage. For new lawns, apply 2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet. For overseeding, use 1 to 2 pounds. Lightly rake the seed into the top 0.25 inches of soil. Do not bury it deeper than 0.25 inches or germination drops significantly.
Water lightly 2 to 3 times daily to keep the soil surface moist (not soggy) until germination. Bermuda seed germinates in 7 to 14 days under ideal conditions but may take up to 21 days. Once you see green fuzz, reduce watering to once daily. After the first mowing (around 2 inches), transition to normal deep watering.
Let the new bermuda reach 2 inches before the first mowing. Cut to 1.5 inches. Mow frequently as it fills in, gradually lowering to your target height over 3 to 4 mowings. New bermuda takes 60 to 90 days from seed to a fully established lawn that handles normal traffic.
