Warm-season grass
How to fertilize bermudagrass
A sun-loving warm-season grass that grows hard in summer and uses the most nitrogen of the common lawn grasses. Here is how much it needs, when to feed it, and a calculator already set up for it.
Bermudagrass at a glance
- Nitrogen a year3–5 lbper 1,000 sq ft
- Main feedingsMay–Augafter green-up
- Per feeding1.0 lb Nusual band 0.5–1 lb
- Feedings a year3–5at 1.0 lb each
Feeding calendar
When to feed bermudagrass
Warm-season grass
3–5 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year
At 1.00 lb a feeding, that is about 3–5 feedings a year.
Main feedings: May, June, July and August. Light or regional feedings: April and September.
Start after the lawn has fully greened up in spring, feed through summer, and stop by early fall so the grass is not pushed into growth before cold weather. Bermudagrass is the heaviest feeder; Florida's guide goes up to 7 lb a year in the south of the state.
Typical ranges from university extension guides. Your state or county guide wins. See the sources.
Calculator
How much to spread on your bermudagrass
It starts at 1.0 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft on a 5,000 sq ft lawn. Change the numbers to match your lawn and your bag.
Worked examples
One feeding on 5,000 sq ft of bermudagrass
At 1.0 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, with four common bag numbers.
| Bag numbers | Per 1,000 sq ft | For 5,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 29-0-4 | 3.4 lb | 17.2 lb |
| 16-4-8 | 6.3 lb | 31.3 lb |
| 10-10-10 | 10.0 lb | 50.0 lb |
| 46-0-0 | 2.2 lb | 10.9 lb |
Good to know
Feeding bermudagrass well
Start after the lawn has fully greened up in spring, feed through summer, and stop by early fall so the grass is not pushed into growth before cold weather. Bermudagrass is the heaviest feeder; Florida's guide goes up to 7 lb a year in the south of the state.
Keep any single feeding to about 1 lb of quick-release nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft or less. Slow-release products may be labeled for more. Florida limits quick-release nitrogen to 0.7 lb per feeding.
The product label has the final say on rate and timing, and some states limit phosphorus or set dates when lawn fertilizer cannot go down. See how these numbers are worked out.
Questions
Bermudagrass, answered
How much nitrogen does bermudagrass need a year?
Typical university guidance is 3–5 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year. Bermudagrass is the heaviest feeder; Florida's guide goes up to 7 lb a year in the south of the state.
When should I fertilize bermudagrass?
The main feedings fall in May, June, July and August. Light or regional feedings: April and September. Start after spring green-up and stop by early fall.
How much fertilizer do I need for 5,000 sq ft of bermudagrass?
At 1.0 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, a 29-0-4 product needs 3.4 lb per 1,000 sq ft, so 17.2 lb for 5,000 sq ft in one feeding. Use the calculator on this page for your own lawn and bag.