While most people know to fertilize their lawns in the spring, it is important to remember that fall feeding is critical, too. This is the most important application of fertilizer for the whole year since it will protect your lawn as it goes dormant over winter. For more information, readWhen to Water Newly Installed Sod. If you are using it in a hot climate, make sure you water the grass well after application. After re-sodding, ensure to water the entire lawn regularly to boost your chances of achieving new growth. Why? The perimeter of the lawn and the seams between sod pieces are the most likely areas to dry out. Make sure its actually grass that needs mowing, tooweeds may need to be cut well before this, but they dont count. 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. It also states the key features of the fertilizer. The soil should be moist 34 inches deep. Soak upon installation as water is needed to keep your grass from drying out. 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. It will look like rotted pieces. From our perspectives, read the instructions carefully first and then select the appropriate application based on the type of turf you have. The New Lawn Starter Box from Lawnifi contains three bottles of liquid fertilizer. This will help to evenly distribute the fertilizer over the entire area. By aerating in late spring or early summer, you loosen the soil just before your Bermuda grass lawn's best natural growing period. This might be something like 12-4-14 or 12-0-12. Please note that the table only lists the multi-purpose fertilizers. The best time to fertilize grass is when the ground warms up to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Smooth and level the ground. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawnifi 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Program. Good quality of soil is considered an important feature that results in thick lawns and rich growth. The first step is to test the lawn soil and know the nutrient content or deficiencies. The entire family of Lawnifi liquid products are actually carbon-based fertilizers that serve to enhance your soil of which the grass grows in. We have prepared this buying guide to help you choose the right fertilizer from the list of best fertilizers for Bermuda grass. This step takes place on the day of installation. Would you feed a newborn baby a slice of pizza? Sod Solutions works with private breeders and university researchers across the globe to find and bring to market the best grasses with the best genetics on the planet. Both humic and fulvic acid appears in the list of ingredients. Why not give it nutrients that will help it successfully establish? And you dont need that amount if your yard is less than 4000 square feet. Learn more inHow to Detect and Treat Fungus in Newly Laid SodandWhen to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. At this point, the roots of the sod will have had a chance to grow and establish themselves, and they will be able to better absorb the fertilizer. Do not apply fertilizer on an abnormally hot day, not even in the morning. In other words, they are specially formulated for seedlings. How To Use: Using a hand or broadcast spreader, evenly distribute granules across the entire lawn. Taking the right action steps in new sod care promises to pay long-term dividends. All in one place, When Should I Fertilize My Lawn? At least four weeks, and possibly as many as eight. In other words, the next time you fertilize you need to use regular fertilizer that is appropriate for the makeup of your soil and the size of your fertilization area. 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. Bermudagrass has a very wide range of acceptable heights ( 5 8 to 2 1 2 inches). Quality bermuda sod laid during the active growing season that has received proper care and nutrition should be able to be mowed between 1315 days after being laid. Scotts Easy Seed Patch and Repair Bermudagrass is an easy solution for those pesky brown areas. Apply between 2 and 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet annually, during the growing season. Our product line of Lawnifi grass seed features fertilizer coated seed designed to promote root growth and successful establishment at planting. Additionally, it also contains the right amount of potassium and phosphorus. These nutrients can come from organic matter and minerals that are already in the soil. Adjusting the pH level is a preferable method to improve the soil quality and avoid damage to the meadows growth. The triple fertilizer not only feeds your lawn with nitrogen and potassium but also kills weeds like dandelions and oxalis and keeps away fire ants for up to six months after application. In most parts of Texas, this happens early in the year, often before spring actually arrives according to the calendar. See Also: Best fertilizers for Zoysia grass. For fall fertilizer formulation, adding potassium will help the meadow prevent disease and maintain enough strength to overcome wintertime. In that case, you can adopt the guidelines of Peter Landschoot, a renowned turfgrass science tutor at Penn State Extension. For best results, apply the fertilizer right beforeor immediately afterthe sod is installed. You must run a lawnmower across your lawn before lawn fertilizing is performed. You can choose between liquid or granular. As previously mentioned, fertilizers that include more phosphorus content are your best option. Can be used when overseeding a Bermuda grass lawn. Use either a drop spreader or a rotary spreader to disperse the fertilizer. It does exceedingly well in yards. Please note that the table below includes Amazon Affiliate links. You should use the garden hose to access your lawn if you have small and midsize yards. If this is present, apply a systemic fungicide likeHeritage G. Apply the last bottle in yourLawnifi New Lawn Starter Box,Maintain. What Is The Best Time To Fertilize? If bugs have been bothering your lawn, pest control that kills bugs might be a good idea. Sold in 18 and 40 lb bags. From fertilizer to disease control, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and tools to ensure you have the best looking lawn on the block. Now that your grass has been seeded and you have your new regular fertilizer, how soon should you use it? Still, even with the guidelines on a bag of Bermuda grass fertilizer, you might find it difficult to determine when to fertilize new Bermuda grass. Mid-summer: Depending on the soil type, fertilize with to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in June or July using a fertilizer that is also high in potassium, such as a 15-0-15. After the first couple of weeks, however, take care of weeds with your chosen . For example, the Fall Fertilizer Box serves to help your lawn recover from the heat of summer and prepare for winter dormancy. best time to feed new sod with fertilizer, Can You Put Too Much Lime on Lawn? 8 Bermuda Grass Fertilizers Reviewed This is best done by watering deeply, for 3040 minutes twice per week. Lastly, fertilizing assists in the recovery of your grass in the spring. Although it is a fast-acting fertilizer for Bermuda grass, you can also use it for other types of turfgrasses. Soak upon installation as water is needed to keep your grass from drying out. 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. Water once per day for 1520 minutes. Many homeowners discover that their lawns already contain enough phosphorous and potassium and opt for nitrogen-only fertilizer. To answer this question, it is recommended that you should always follow the instructions found on the label of your chosen fertilizer. This method also avoids the potential for burn on new sod and the delicate roots of sprouting seed. Also, you can have your lawn soils phosphorus levels tested before sod installation, as you dont want to apply a phosphorus-laden starter fertilizer on soil thats already rich in the same nutrient. If these areas are a light-brown or straw-colored, they need more water. Miracle-Gro produces among the best fertilizers for plants and vegetables, but did you know that they have designed fertilizers for grass and lawn as well? In terms of year seasons, the best time for fertilizing newly-installed sod is late spring through early fall. The best time to feed new sod with fertilizer is about four-six weeks post-installation. Heres the thing, though. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package in order to avoid damaging the sod. Seed in midspring to midsummer. You can choose the fertilization technique of your choice because this lawn food can be applied via the soil or foliar application. Moreover, over-fertilizing can actually leach more nutrients from the soil, leaving a deficiency of nutrients when your new turf is finally ready to be replenished. If you are like most homeowners, you have entered into the now what? stage. Insect Identification Its time for you to get to work and build an evergreen, thick terrace. Then get a soil test done to learn which nutrients are present in your soil and which ones youre lacking. Late spring (March to April) and early summer (June to July) are perfect seasons for fertilizing because of the warm temperatures. 4.3 - 898 Reviews. However, it is recommended to water after 2 to 4 hours in case you use liquid fertilizer. Recommended Reading: How To Kill Spiders In Lawn. We have downloadable maintenance guides that specify recommended heights forbermuda grass. Of course you wouldnt. Learn more inWhen to Water Newly Installed Sod. However- youll want to avoid over-fertilizing your soil, as this will most likely lead to sod damage. After your grass starts to grow, you can swap the starter fertilizer with regular fertilizer and apply a second dose roughly four to six weeks later or when the grass is 1 to 1 inches tall. Additionally, youll want to avoid fertilizing your St. Augustine grass from the start of fall until the warm season resumes the following spring. Its crucial that the sprinkler heads in each zone are checked to ensure that the entire lawn is getting covered. For now, keep in mind that not all fertilizers are the same therefore, it is important to learn what is best for Bermuda grass. Water twice/wk for 10-20 minutes. Cover the Bermuda grass seed. Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action - Best Weed Killer For Bermuda Grass. Bermuda - Planting Sod Kill all weeds by spraying the area with a non-selective weed killer two weeks before planting. Specifically, the grass should start to turn green and require mowing at least twice before its time to fertilize for the spring. Its not a bad time to apply nitrogen, but the more even the ratio of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus (the three numbers indicated on the fertilizer package), the better. At this moment, turf starts to germinate when the soil test temperature stays around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Do you love your home landscape as much as we do? A lot of people do the equivalent of feeding a newborn a slice of pizza when they try to fertilize new grass. Apply when the grass is actively growing. This is one of the most important things to remember: starter fertilizer should only be used before a new lawn is installed. This Bermudagrass lawn management calendar details relevant aspects of selection, mowing, irrigation, fertilization, weed and insect control, and aeration. Fertilizing a dormant Bermuda grass lawn with a quick-release fertilizer will feed the weeds, and they will eventually take over the grass. When applying fertilizer to new sod, you should use a broadcast spreader. Most lawns do not need to undergo fertilization more than 2 times a year. What Happens If You Dont Water After Fertilizing? The document includes a month-by-month lawn care calendar indexed to in-depth explanations of each topic within the document. For example, in areas with soil that tends to be alkaline, lime may need to be added to balance the pH level (which affects how well the grass absorbs nutrients). Do not plant Bermuda seed in the early spring or fall. Bermuda grass lawn is ideal for filling the large squares of the garden due to its fast-growing aspect. Fertilizing too soon is unnecessary and wasteful since the sod can't access it. You can use the same complete fertilizer as you have been using, or switch to a fertilizer with little or no phosphorus but a higher rate of potassium. High in nitrogen. Starter fertilizer is specifically formulated for use on new sod whose root systems arent yet established. Once its completely exited dormancy and has been mowed at least once in spring, its time to aerate. When do you reapply your starter fertilizer after the sod is installed and the grass starts growing in? If you think disease is present, apply a systemic fungicide likeHeritage G. Water thoroughly morning and late afternoon. It is advised to wait for at least 6 to 8 weeks before embarking on a new lawn fertilizing mission. You will end up wasting most of the fertilizer because, in dormancy, the grass cannot absorb the nutrients. That gives them time to work into the soil before planting in mid-winter or early spring when temperatures are cool enough for seed germination but not so cold that dormancy sets in. Overview. Applying fertilizers at thewrong time or too early can burn the Bermuda grass. Because you know that babies have special needs. Usually, depending on time of year, we recommend that you wait about one month from the time that it's been laid down, four to six weeks, and then we recommend that you put out a balanced fertilizer such as a triple 15, or a 15-5-10, or something like that. Make sure you are watering enough to get down into the roots and soil. Water 3 to 4 times daily to keep the seed and soil surface moist. For most irrigation systems, this requires a 20-minute cycle. Still, you should follow the manufacturers recommendations when applying starter fertilizer to avoid overfeeding the grass and consequently degrading the soil. This can breathe a lot of extra life into your Bermuda lawn and result in a better green-up the following spring. Sod Solutions works with private breeders and university researchers across the globe to find and bring to market the best grasses with the best genetics on the planet. Congratulations on your new lawn! Check the seed package for spreader settings. Fertilizing in the morning allows the soil to take in the most nutrients, soak in the morning dew and take advantage of cooler temperatures. This granular fertilizer is indeed a fast way to have a thick and green lawn because of high nitrogen content and water solubility. To ensure optimal lawn health, fertilize heavily in the fall and lightly in early spring. When this happens, it is known as fertilizer burn and looks like yellow and brown strips or patches of dead grass. However, you may want to use weed and feed for St. Augustine Grass to feed your sod and control weeds. Fall aeration should be performed in October. You should hold off subsequent fertilization until about a month or two after the Bermuda grass seeds germinate. Too much fertility will result in a thatchy and unhealthy lawn. Understanding this ratio enables you to determine the total number of pounds of each product ingredient in the bag. Again, you can use lawn fertilizer for this. If the soil pH is lower than 4.5, use a fertilizer that contains sulfur. Continue monitoring for dry spots. Be sure to also refer to our Homeowner Maintenance Guides forbermudagrass,bluegrass,centipede grass,fescue,St. Augustineandzoysiaafter the first 30 days are up. If you fertilize too soon, this energy will be diverted into premature leaf development. Do not water your sod in the evening because this leads to standing water and encourages fungus, root disease, and insect infestation. If your lawn reaches at least 50 percent green, it is best to use a slow-release fertilizer. Because Bermuda grass is in fact a perennial form of grass, it does not typically require re-seeding. One application will feed new sod for 8 - 12 weeks. The Andersons brand is perfect for you if you want a full fertilizer and dont know whether its organic or natural. This is why we recommend Lawnifis New Lawn Starter Box, which typically cost about $50. Apply fertilizer once between June and August, around six to eight weeks after the late spring feeding. We also look at the most suitable fertilization calendar for specific turf grasses: St. Augustine grass, Bermuda grass, and Zoysia grass. This nourishment can also be derived from fallen leaves, grass clippings and the like. Many lawn care experts argue that its best to wait 30 days or so after installation to even think of applying fertilizer to new sod. This will help the grass seed get off to a good start. Lightly rake the soil, loosening it up so that the new seeds can make good contact with the soil surface. Pro-tip: You shouldn't be using starter fertilizer once seeds germinate into the first shoots of grass. Check out some of the recommended heights for bermuda grass below. Amend the existing soil, and either reseed or lay new sod. There is the idea of too much of a good thing, and that definitely applies when it comes to fertilizing your lawn! Dont Miss: How Do I Fill In Bare Spots In My Lawn. Use grass plugs to test a grasss shade tolerance or to determine how well a certain grass type performs in your home landscape. New sod is a great way to establish a thick, healthy lawn. andLiquid Lawnifis Most FAQs. Check the edges of each piece as well as the overall perimeter of your lawn as these are the most susceptible to drying out. If you start mowing and pieces of your new lawn start coming up, you either have your mower set too low, or your sod has not put down sufficient roots. Fertilization is important to a new bermuda grass lawn. This also creates a seedbed for when you're placing new seed in. Conducting efficient and effective lawn fertilizing 2 times a year proves to be enough. In order to grow and develop in the beginning, it is vital that they receive the nutrients they need from their mothers milk or baby formula. Yet, you could apply a second nitrogen enrichment application in the fall if your turf is still thin and has bare spots. Aerate in both spring and fall if your yard has clay soil. Spread the seed onto the soil. But in case you notice that your grass is dying, turning brown, or growing in patches, then you may want to add more fertilizer. 1. After you have applied the fertilizer, water it in well. If this is present, apply a systemic fungicide likeHeritage G. This will be the first mow on your newly sodded bermuda grass lawn. The best times to fertilize are in spring and late summer. 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. Hybrid Bermuda. That's the best time. Lawn care professionals understand that knowing when to fertilize new grass can make the difference between a thriving yard and grass that is less equipped to handle the brutal Southern heat. No one likes having a patchy lawn. If this isnt the case, wait a few more days and check again before mowing. You should mow as soon as your lawn has put down sufficient roots, such that you will have some difficulty pulling up individual pieces of sod. As stated above water twice a day for the first nine days after installationonce in the morning and then again in the evening. A good rule of thumb is to wait to fertilize your warm-season grass until nighttime temperatures are around 70 F. If this is the case, replace the affected sod areas by raking and pulling them out, then proceed to re-sod the area. Bermuda grass benefits greatly from fertilization, as this will give it the proper nutrients it needs to grow. These fertilizers tend to encourage excess growth of foliage at the expense of root development, which makes grass more susceptible to drought and disease.