Let me start by saying this is the hardest grass to maintain for the average homeowner. With that said there is some great news, the new cultivar called Celebration is very easy to maintain compared to all the others. It is more drought tolerant, shade tolerant, nematode resistant, and seems to have the best recovery from damage. The only thing that makes it harder to take care of than Floratam is that you will see the weeds in bermuda’s vs Floratam. If you can be proactive and willing to spray the weeds or hand pull them the first couple years you are on your way to a much classier yard than the same ole same ole Floratam.
Fertilizer
Depending on your soil type 8 to 10 application’s per year are required to keep looking healthy and free of weeds. Applying good slow release nitrogen fertilizer’s will work the best. Use about ¾ of a pound of N per thousand square feet per application. One to two of your applications should have a pre emergent herbicide and one application in May or early June should have an insecticide to take care of any mole crickets that may be hatching. At least half of your fertilizer applications should have a complete balance of minor nutrients.
Mowing
Bermuda’s can be mowed anywhere from 3/8 to 2 inches. Like the Zoysia’s they seem to produce less thatch the lower they are maintained. Vertical mowing or scalping should be done at least one time per year.
Thoughts
I would not ever recommend a homeowner puts in this grass unless they are ready to commit to it. And the only one I would recommend is the Celebration!
