6 Best Fertilizers for Bermuda Grass to Boost Growth, Appeal
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Bermuda grass is one of the most popular lawn species across the entire world for a few reasons, including its beautiful appearance and its high tolerance for warm weather and drought conditions. Even though it’s a naturally hardy species, it’s still crucial to use the best fertilizers for Bermuda grass if you’re trying to achieve a lush and uniform lawn.
In this article, my goal is to answer the question “What is the best fertilizer for Bermuda grass?” Because of the number of options out there and the specificity of what each lawn needs, it’s not the easiest question to answer.
Let’s get started with all the options so you can make the most informed decision possible!
Key Takeaways
Both my current and former home have Bermuda grass lawn, so I’ve had a lot of years to experiment with different fertilizers for Bermuda grass. After taking a look back through all the different products I’ve used and doing plenty of online research, I eventually settled on picking Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action, Weed Killer and Preventer Plus Lawn Fertilizer as the overall best fertilizer for Bermuda grass. It’s a finely-tuned product that’s capable of doing several jobs at once, nourishing your grass with fertilizing agents while also killing and preventing weeds.
I also included a couple of products that have more constrained use cases, such as The Andersons Premium New Lawn Starter, which can help a new lawn get on its feet with its high-phosphorus blend, and the Ironite Mineral Supplement/Fertilizer, which can help you deepen the green color of your grass by adding a boost of iron.
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Best Overall: Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action, Weed Killer and Preventer Plus Lawn Fertilizer
Why this is a quality choice: Scotts is renowned for its excellence in lawn care, and the Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action is a testament to their quality. This fertilizer stands out because of its all-in-one formula, combining nitrogen-rich fertilizer with potent weed killers and crabgrass prevention agents. It’s simply an excellent choice for anyone who has a Bermuda grass lawn.
Who is this for: This is one of the best fertilizers for Bermuda grass. It’s perfect for individuals seeking a hassle-free solution to achieve a lush Bermuda grass lawn. It’s especially beneficial for those who prefer a single application to using multiple products.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Though this is effective at preventing crabgrass, it’s important to note that the Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action may not eliminate already established crabgrass.
Coverage area: 4,000 sq. ft. | Effective period: 4 months | Herbicides: Pre- and post-emergent | Fertilizer type: Slow-release | N–P–K: 16–0–1 | Package size: 20.3 lbs.
Best Budget: Espoma Lawn Food for All Seasons
Why this is a quality choice: Espoma’s Lawn Food for All Seasons stands out for its exceptional value, offering a generous 40-pound bag that covers up to 12,000 sq. ft. Its slow-release formula packed with nitrogen ensures long-lasting nourishment for your Bermuda grass. Moreover, its organic qualifications add to its appeal.
Who is this for: Homeowners who have expansive Bermuda grass lawns seeking cost-effective yet effective lawn food will find Espoma’s product highly beneficial.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although some users have noted a temporary odor after application, it dissipates swiftly and doesn’t pose a long-term issue.
Coverage area: 12,000 sq. ft. | Effective period: 8 weeks | Herbicides: None | Fertilizer type: Slow-release granules, organic | N–P–K: 15–0–5 | Package size: 40 lbs.
Best Organic Fertilizer: Jonathan Green Organic Grass Fertilizer
Why this is a quality choice: Jonathan Green’s Organic Grass Fertilizer stands out as an eco-friendly option for nurturing Bermuda grass. Made from all-natural ingredients, it works well on both new and established lawns throughout the seasons. Its added iron content contributes to achieving the vibrant green hue desired in lawns.
Who is this for: Those seeking an environmentally friendly and effective lawn care solution will find Jonathan Green’s Organic Grass Fertilizer to be an excellent choice.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This is one of the best fertilizers for Bermuda grass. However, because it’s an organic product, this fertilizer doesn’t contain herbicides, which means it won’t assist in weed control.
Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft. | Effective period: 8–10 weeks | Herbicides: None | Fertilizer type: Organic granules | N–P–K: 10–0–1 | Package size: 17 lbs.
Best Fall Fertilizer: Sunday Green Machine Fertilizer
Why this is a quality choice: The Sunday Green Machine Fertilizer is my top pick for fall fertilizers for Bermuda grass. Its liquid formula is easy to apply and extends the vibrancy of your lawn well into the cooler seasons, giving you a lush green lawn for longer.
Who is this for: Homeowners in colder climates looking to maintain their Bermuda grass lawn’s health through the fall season will find the Sunday Green Machine Fertilizer particularly beneficial.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This product has a very limited use case, which means that adding it to your yearly lawn care routine will add a bit of extra time and complexity.
Coverage area: (2x) 5,000 sq. ft. | Effective period: 4–6 weeks | Herbicides: None | Fertilizer type: Liquid | N–P–K: 22–0–3 | Package size: (2x) 43.2 ounces .
Best Liquid Fertilizer: Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16–4–8
Why this is a quality choice: The Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16–4–8 is an excellent liquid fertilizer specifically designed for lawn grass species like Bermuda grass. Its balanced formula promotes healthy growth without overloading the grass with excessive phosphorus, making it compliant with local fertilizer regulations.
Who is this for: Homeowners looking for an effective and balanced fertilizer for their Bermuda grass lawns will benefit from this product, especially if they need to address nutrient deficiencies revealed by a soil test.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Though effective, this fertilizer may cause stress to Bermuda grass during the peak of summer because of its nitrogen content. It’s advisable to start with this fertilizer and then switch to a different option later in the season to avoid potential stress.
Coverage area: Not specified. | Effective period: 8 weeks | Herbicides: Pre- and post-emergent, contact and systemic | Fertilizer type: Liquid | N–P–K: 16–4–8 | Package size: 32 ounces
Best High-Phosphorus Fertilizer: The Andersons Premium New Lawn Starter
Why this is a quality choice: The Andersons Premium New Lawn Starter is an excellent choice for establishing new Bermuda grass. Its nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich blend promotes robust root development during the early stages of lawn growth.
Who is this for: Homeowners aiming to kickstart the growth of their new Bermuda grass lawn will find this product highly beneficial.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Using this fertilizer demands extra effort, as the manufacturer advises keeping newly seeded areas consistently moist until germination. Additionally, individuals residing in areas with strict phosphorus regulations may not be able to use this product.
Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft. | Effective period: 6 weeks | Herbicides: None | Fertilizer type: Granules | N–P–K: 20–27–5 | Package size: 18 lbs.
Best Fertilizer for Greener Grass: Ironite Mineral Supplement/Fertilizer
Why this is a quality choice: The Ironite Mineral Supplement/Fertilizer is an excellent option for enhancing lawn color through its high-iron formula. Although it contains a minimal amount of nitrogen for growth stimulation, its primary focus is on iron delivery. It’s best used alongside another fertilizer for comprehensive lawn care.
Who is this for: Homeowners in hot and arid climates can benefit from this product to enhance grass color without stimulating excessive growth during high temperatures.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: This product is not designed to be used alone and should be supplemented with another fertilizer, especially during the initial growth stages of the lawn.
Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft. | Effective period: 8 weeks | Herbicides: None | Fertilizer type: Liquid, slow-release, organic | N–P–K: 9–0–2 | Package size: 20 lbs.
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Buying Considerations for The Best Fertilizers For Bermuda Grass
Your Lawn Goals
What problems you want to solve by using a fertilizer is the first thing to get clear about when you’re considering what the best fertilizer for Bermuda grass is for you. Depending on your lawn situation, you might want to fill patchy sections with new growth or deepen the color of a full lawn. Whatever is the case, you should look for a product that’s adapted to the exact task you want to accomplish. For example, Ironite Mineral Supplement/Fertilizer is a great product for enhancing your lawn’s color, but it won’t do as much to promote new growth as The Andersons Premium New Lawn Starter.
Coverage Area
Next, you should be very clear about the amount of fertilizer you’re going to need before making a purchase. It’s not ideal to order too much or too little fertilizer, as you’ll either be stuck storing a bunch of extra product or you’ll have to make another order to finish the job. Luckily, estimating the area of your lawn is easy enough to do and manufacturers are very explicit about the amount of area that their fertilizers can effectively cover. You can check out the coverage area of each of the products I’ve recommended in the section below the main text.
N–P–K
The N–P–K of a product is important to consider when buying fertilizer for your Bermuda grass lawn. Exactly how high the value of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be for your lawn depends on the underlying soil conditions, local regulations, and what the growth state of your lawn is. To go through each factor briefly, I’d start by noting that if your soil is rich in any of the three essential nutrients, it makes sense to choose a fertilizer that has less of that chemical compound. Next, many U.S. jurisdictions limit the amount of phosphorus that you can use on your lawn (as a result of the impact of phosphorus runoff on the environment), so make sure to check what the appropriate levels are. And, finally, the better established and more healthy your lawn is, the lower the N–P–K values I’d recommend using.
How I Choose These Products
As I said at the start of this article, I’ve basically always had Bermuda grass lawns. As a result, I was able to bring a lot of personal experience to the writing of this article and give you some insights I’ve picked up over the years. I know what products have worked for me, which manufacturers deliver fertilizers with consistent quality, and some fertilizers that make promises they can’t back up (don’t worry, they didn’t make the list).
Although I think this gave me a great basis to start with, I also felt the need to see what other homeowners have said in online reviews about all the products I recommended. After all, everyone’s lawn is different, and what works for me might not work for everyone. I hope that you’re happy with the list I came up with by bringing together my personal experience and online research and that you’ve found a product that can solve whatever lawn care issues you’ve been facing.
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Final Verdict
I chose Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action, Weed Killer and Preventer Plus Lawn Fertilizer as the best fertilizer for Bermuda Grass as a result of the product’s consistency and performance. Scott’s has been among the top names in lawn care for a long time, and they’ve learnt a lot about what goes into a great fertilizer. With just one order, you can make sure that your lawn is well fed, kill any weeds that have emerged, and prevent any new ones from springing up. Good luck with your lawn this season!
FAQs
Is potash good for Bermuda grass?
Potash is one of the main sources for potassium in many fertilizers and, as a result, the answer is an emphatic yes to the question of whether or not potash is good for Bermuda grass. Potassium is a nutrient that plays several roles in lawn health, including helping Bermuda grass avoid diseases and deal with the cold weather of the winter months.
How often should I fertilize my Bermuda?
In general, you should fertilize Bermuda grass at least twice per a growing season, once in the early spring and once before the cold fall weather sets in. However, whether or not you should use additional fertilizer applications depends on both the manufacturer’s recommendations for how often to apply whatever fertilizer you’re using and the state of your lawn. As is the case for other types of plants like indoor plants, if it seems like your lawn is struggling to grow or doesn’t seem very lush, adding an additional round of fertilizer is one solution you can consider.
How do I make my Bermuda grass thicker?
Regularly fertilizing or applying plant food to your Bermuda grass is the best way to make it grow thicker, but regular watering is another important piece of the puzzle. You can also consider adding a coat of new seeds to any patchy or undergrown areas in the spring, which can help sprout new growths of Bermuda grass in those areas.
