Bermuda Grass Overview

Bermuda grass is one of the most sun loving warm season lawn, pasture grasses and a favorite in texture and color for all areas of usage. Bermuda grass can be easily planted from grass seed and provides a good "medium plus" turf grass lawn. Bermuda turf requires a moderate amount of lawn grass care, maintenance and mowing.


Bermuda grass is the most popular selection for lawns in Southern Area and is considered as the "South's Grass" Bermuda grass provides a deep green turf and handles foot-traffic well. Bermuda grass requires full sun and does not tolerate shade. For best results seed between 15th April - 15th August and sod between 1st May to 15th September.


This perennial grass grows in tropical, sub-tropical and the transition zones. Found extensively on lawns, golf courses, sports fields and arenas, reclamation areas, parks, coastal areas and pastures.

Because of its dark gray-green color, drought tolerance, and high tolerance to foot traffic, Bermuda grass has become the most popular choice for southern lawns. It creeps along the ground and roots where ever a node touches the ground, forming a dense mat. It also reproduces from roots under the ground. It has a deep root system, and in drought situations the root system can grow quite deep. Most of the root mass lies 24 inches under the surface.

Its blades are a gray-green color and are short, usually 1 to 4 inches long with rough edges.

Bermuda grass can grow in poor clay soil but performs best in sandy clay or soils that will crumble in your hand when squeezed. Irrigation is not necessary but will enhance performance and appearance during dry spells.



Bermuda grasses may reproduces through seeds and through runners and rhizomes. When planted from seed, the seeds germinate at temperatures above 68° F, and begin to grow within 2 weeks.

Bermuda grass is actually considered a very invasive and competitive weed, however when properly and regularly maintained is easy to contain. Few herbicides are effective against it though Roundup and Killzall work quite well. A second spraying is usually necessary to complete the elimination. If not edged regularly it crawls into your beds among shrubs and ground covers and you will have to spray it with Over-The-Top herbicide to eliminate.

Newer, more "cold tolerant" varieties extend Bermudas planting area further North allowing a choice of a more drought resistant species in the transition zone. Examples of these are Yukon, Mohawk and Rivera.