Is Bermuda Grass Good In Texas?

If you just moved to Texas and are wondering what kind of grass to grow on your lawn, Bermuda grass, or some other grass that thrives in the tropics. We will tell you to go for Bermuda grass because it’s a warm climate grass that can withstand drought.

Bermuda grass had a beautiful green color matching the delicate look many Texan homeowners love. Different varieties of this grass can be planted by seed or laying of sods, and in no time, you have a lush lawn that can make any home really welcoming.

Bermuda Grass Overview

Bermuda grass, whose botanical name is Cynodon dactylon, is a grass that grows in tropical and semi-tropical areas.

This grass, believed to have originated from the Indian Ocean Basin, from East Africa to India, has found its way to parts of the world, especially in areas with high altitudes and warm weather.

This grass has blue-green leaf blades that are 2 to 6 mm wide and 2 to 20cm long. The lower surface is smooth, while the upper surface is not.

It grows a very dense canopy that is durable and can withstand foot traffic because of its fast-growing pattern. It is the same reason why it has no problem with weeds. It can outcompete them easily.

Bermuda grass is tolerant to drought and heavy grazing and is also used as animal pasture. It is vigorous in growth and is tolerant to soils with high salt content. This very versatile grass which thrives in both shallow or deep soil can be planted as seed or sod.

Is Bermuda Grass Good In Texas?

Yes, Bermuda grass is suitable for Texas because it is adapted to that warm climate and the soil. If you live in Texas and you are thinking of growing this grass, be it as lawn or pasture for animals, here are some varieties to plant:

Celebration Bermuda grass

Celebration Bermuda grass is aesthetically pleasing with a striking blue-green color that makes a good turf, especially for parks and sports fields. It is the most common grass in famous golf and other sports fields worldwide. You can, however, still grow them on your lawn because it makes a lush lawn.

Celebration Bermuda is resistant to wear, shade, and drought, and it can control the growth of weeds because of its vigorous growth. It is resistant to insect attack because it always recovers fast after an attack or so much traffic because of its root system, which allows for rapid growth.

This grass has a fine grass blade, better than other varieties, and its blade leaf is about 1.7mm. Its now height is o.5 to 1.5 inches.

Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass

Bermuda grass was developed to have good quality turf grass that can tolerate cold. That makes them excellent for such cooler months when some other varieties of Bermuda will not do so well.

Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass has a finer texture, with its leaf blade being 5 to 7mm wide, and should be mowed to a height of 0.5 to 1.5 inches. This grass is drought tolerant and can thrive in extended periods of little water. It can also tolerate shade and wear. It is resistant to insect attack and diseases and can compete favorably against weeds.

Ideally, Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass can be grown for commercial landscapes, golf, and sports fields, but it can also serve as home turf.

Latitude 36 Bermudagrass

If you are looking for eye-catching grass that leaves your lawn lush and that alluring, then this grass is for you. That is because it’s got beautiful color and texture.

Latitude 36 Bermuda grass has tensile strength and can withstand high traffic and cold snaps, occasionally experienced in Texas. It is also heat tolerant and can withstand drought and shade.

This grass, whose mowing height is 0.5 to 1.5 inches, has blades whose width is about 1.67 mm. They should be used for golf courses, commercial landscapes, parks, sports fields, and home lawns.

Tifway 419 Bermudagrass

It is one of the varieties of Bermuda grass that can be tightly mowed for easier maintenance. This grass grows aggressively and so can easily outcompete any weed, which is another reason why many people love most Bermuda grass varieties.

Tifway 419 is grass favored by the sports industry because of its ability to endure heavy traffic and remain lush because it quickly recovers after any damage. This grass can withstand seasons of drought and scorching weather and is also pest and disease resistant.

This grass is also beautiful, especially with its dark color and medium-fine texture. It can change the outlook of any lawn or sports field.

TifTuf Bermudagrass

The people who developed this variety of Bermuda grass had one thing in mind- to develop grass that can withstand very long hot summers. This grass can withstand scorching and drought environments better than other varieties.

This grass stays green well into the fall, offering a more extended curb appeal season. It is tolerant of shade, insects, diseases, and wear and quickly recovers after damage.

TifTuf has a fine texture and a leafy green growing pattern and can be used for commercial and Holawnsawns.

Caring For Bermuda Grass

These are some of the ways you can ensure you get the best Bermuda grass:

Mowing

By March, Bermuda grass begins to come of dormancy, so you have to now them to a height of about 1 to 2-inch height every week or as frequently as necessary. This mowing schedule should be maintained for the rest of the growing season until the grass is dormant. The key is to ensure you know the grass as often as is necessary to maintain a mowing height of 1 to 2 inches.

Watering

Since Bermuda grass is drought-resistant, rainfall can adequately hydrate the lawn for many months. You can, however, start watering the grass by May with a minimum amount of water to prevent drought stress. The key to giving Bermuda grass the right amount of water at the right frequency is always watching to see if the grasses look dry and stressed and then increasing the frequency and amount of water.

Fertilizer Application

For the best result, you have to test your soil to determine what the fertilizer needs of your soil are. On average, Bermuda grass will need at most a pound of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet, which will be applied for the first time once the lawn has started actively growing and has been mowed about 2 to 3 times. It should be done between mid-April and May. A combination of quick and slows-release nitrogenous fertilizers should be applied at most four times during the summer.

Weed Control

Even though Bermuda grass grows so dense that it can prevent weeds from growing, you can also apply pre-and post-emergence herbicides to be safe. Weeds like crabgrass, goosegrass, and other annual summer weeds can try to invade your lawn around February or early March, so that you can apply fertilizer then.

Post-emergent fertilizers can be applied in May or before the onset of summer drought stress. Pre-emergent fertilizers should also be applied in September against winter weeds like bluegrass, chickweed, and henbit. You will also need to apply post-emergent for winter annuals and cool-season perennials in November.

Dealing With Insects And Pests

Different diseases can attack Bermuda grass, including take-all root rot and dead spring spot. Fire ants and grubs are insects that can infest this grass. It would be best to try eliminating them from your lawn by applying fungicide against the diseases and destroying the ant molds where these insects live.

Aeration

The best time to aerate your lawn anytime from April to October because it works best when there is moisture in the soil and is especially beneficial for newly established grasses.

When To Plant Bermuda Grass

You should plant Bermuda grass when the soil temperatures are warm at temperatures between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, usually before spring, around February or March. The grass can be propagated from seeds, sod, plugs, or sprigs.

Growing Bermuda Grass From Seed

The cheapest way to grow Bermuda grass is from seed which should be sown in late spring or early summer. One-half to one pound of seeds should be planted on 1,000 square feet of lawn. Since Bermuda grass seeds are not readily available, you might opt for other means of propagation.

Growing Bermuda Grass From Plugs Or Sprigs

To plant Bermuda grass from plugs or sprigs, you will need 5 to 10 bushels of sprigs to cover every 1,000 square feet of yard space. These sprigs should be planted 6 inches apart and grown during the warm months of the year.

Growing Bermuda From Sods

Growing Bermuda from sod is the most expensive way of propagating this grass, but it is also the most successful method. All you need do is to lay the sod on a checkerboard or staggered pattern, and in no time, the whole lawn will be filled with luxuriantly growing grass.

Conclusion

Bermuda is one of those iconic grasses that thrive in tropical and semi-tropical regions. The grass, which has wide varieties, grows well in Texas because it loves warm weather and can thrive in places with little rainfall.

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While the grass is excellent for the home lawn, it is ideally used for sports, as in golf courses and other playing fields.