Bermuda Grass Seeding - The Best Time

Bermuda Grass are drought tolerant, which mean they can survive with dry soil conditions longer than most turf grasses. However, drought tolerance in Bermuda grass is based on their ability to become semi dormant during severe droughts and to recover from stolons and rhizomes when moisture becomes available. The Bermuda grass doesn't provide a desirable turf under drought conditions.

Fall and Winter
Bermuda Grass seeding in the fall and winter, wheat or rye can be drilled with unhulled Bermuda grass seed. The wheat or rye will establish quickly and provide some cover during winter months. The small grains also provide less competition than ryegrass to seedling bermudagrass in late spring.

Spring and Summer
Bermuda Grass seeding in spring and summer should utilize hulled Bermuda grass seed for faster germination. Late fall and winter plantings should be with unhulled Bermuda Grass seed to delay germination of a significant amount of the seed until more favorable conditions occur in the spring. Unhulled Bermuda grass seed might be planted together with annual ryegrass in the fall to provide temporary cover and protection from soil erosion during winter months. Annual ryegrass will delay the development of a bermuda grass turf, but it may be needed for cover and protection.


Sprigs or stolons should be planted at 5 to 15 bushels per 1,000 sq. ft. depending on the rate of cover required. Higher planting rates up to 25 or more bushels per 1,000 sq. ft. will provide a faster grass cover. A minimum planting rate should be 5 bushels per 1,000 sq. ft. or 200 bushels per acre. Sprigs or stolons should be broadcast on a clean seedbed and pressed into moist soil with a roller or covered lightly with soil or mulch. Moist conditions must be maintained for 2 to 3 weeks after planting to obtain a good cover.