How To Make Bermuda Grass Thicker: 6 Techniques You Need To Know

Bermuda grass is the lush green grass often seen on many southern golf courses. This tough drought resistant grass can handle heavy foot traffic like a champion. Unfortunately, Bermuda Grass is not always thick and luscious as it should be. Want to know how to make Bermuda grass thicker? We have gathered the best tips and tricks to help you grow the full green lawn of your dreams!

Need to know how to make Bermuda grass thicker, but have no time to spare? Here are our top tips.

Provide the right amount of water
Mow often and at a lower mowing height
Aerate in spring or early summer
Test and fertilize your lawn.
Get weeds under control
Treat lawn diseases promptly

Do you have Bermuda grass in your yard? Do you find it is not as is not thick and lush as you would like? We know that sometimes the lawn can be a little thin or patchy and no one wants to see that. We have good news! The right combination of products and techniques will give you the lawn of your dreams. Here’s an extra tip! The timing of these action steps also plays an important part.

Today we are tackling the question many homeowners ask. How to make Bermuda grass thicker? In this article we will share everything you need to know. We’ve got six easy steps to make your Bermuda grass lawn full and thick. Follow these steps and you can have a beautiful lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood!

Six Techniques You Need to Know

How to make Bermuda grass thicker? Follow these techniques and you will have a lawn that is the envy of your neighbors.

1. Provide the Right Amount of Water

Bermuda grass is well known for its drought resistant properties. However, drought stress can often lead to a thin Bermudagrass lawn. Your lawn needs at least 1″ of water each week in the spring and summer season. Any less and it will suffer from slow growth and poor spreading.

Bermuda grass will thicken when it receives at least 1 inch of water each week. Proper irrigation encourages deeper root growth and better nutrient absorption. Keep it up and you will enjoy Bermuda grass turf that is like a dense, lush carpet.

Bermuda Grass Watering Schedule

Watering during the dormant season

When the grass is dormant, water as necessary. Dry winters can lead to winter desiccation. Stress and turf loss can occur in these conditions.

Most areas get enough rain during winter to stop your lawn from drying out. But there is always the possibility of a dry winter. Use a rain gauge to measure rainfall. The grass needs a half-inch of water every 2 to 3 weeks to keep it healthy.

Watering during the growing season:

Bermuda grass needs about 1 to 1.25 inches of water per week in spring and summer. You can use a rainfall gauge or watch the lawn signs of water stress.

Signs of Water Stress

There are two ways to determine when the lawn needs watering.

Watch the lawn’s color. Bermuda turf will turn a bluish color as it dries out
Walk across the grass late at night. If the grass blades of the footprints do not rebound, the grass needs watering.

Apply 3/4 to 1 inch of water when the lawn is dry. Then wait until the lawn starts to dry out before watering again.

Know your soil

If you are serious about figuring out how to make Bermuda grass thicker, you must know the composition of the topsoil. This will determine the best watering schedule for your lawn.

Sandy soils don’t keep moisture well and dry faster. They will need ½ inch of water twice a week for the grass to stay healthy.
Clay soils tend to hold onto moisture too long. Water for shorter periods, so the lawn doesn’t get waterlogged.

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Pro tips

It is better to water once a week for longer periods of time than to water daily- or for shorter periods. This encourages deeper root growth. Plants with deeper roots receive more nutrients and reward you with thicker lawns.
Water your Bermuda lawn until it has soaked 1/4 inches of soil. Overwatering Bermuda grass can also cause problems and should be avoided. The grass may lose its green color, and even die. A rain gauge is the most accurate way to see how much water your grass has received.

2. Mow Often and At a Lower Mowing Height

Does cutting Bermuda grass help it grow?

Absolutely it does! Mow your Bermuda grass often to promote faster growth. Do you know how the golf course gets their lush carpet of grass? They mow almost every single day. Cutting prevents the Bermuda grass from growing up. This results in more horizontal runners. The result is thicker grass.

Should Bermuda Grass Be Cut Short?

What is the best height to mow Bermuda grass? It depends on the time of year. The Clemson College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences recommends the following schedule

January – April: January-April: Cut the lawn slightly lower than your regular summer height. Mow the lawn at a height of 1 inch. Collect the clippings and remove any dead material left from winter dormancy.

May- August: the general consensus is that 1 to 2 inches is the best mowing height for bermudagrass. This really depends on the conditions in the lawn. Begin at a mowing height of 1 1/2″. Gradually decrease the height of your mowing. Watch the lawn carefully after each mowing. If the grass looks unattractive, or it appears too thin, increase the height of the mower.

Pro tips

There are some types of bermudagrass that are adapted for partial shade. These may do better when cut at a 2-inch height. Follow the manufacturers recommendations.
Raise the mowing heights during periods of unseasonably high temperatures or extreme drought.
Always use a sharp blade mower to mow. Sharp mower blades cut grass blades cleanly, rather than tearing them. Grass is more vulnerable to diseases if the blade ends are ragged. Use your mower in a mulching mode and leave the grass clippings to decompose.
Keep mowing until the cooler fall weather arrives. When nighttime temperatures go below 70 °F, increase the cutting height one notch. This will allow the turf to get ready for the first frost.

3. Aerate In Spring Or Early Summer

Bermuda grass needs to be watered, but it also requires proper drainage. If you want to know how to make Bermuda grass thicker, take a look at your drainage. Standing water can leave your Bermuda grass lawn thin and patchy. Aerating your lawn will help improve the drainage.

Core aeration involves drilling small holes into the soil and lawn. This has two main benefits.

Reduces soil compaction and standing water
Allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This promotes deep root growth and a stronger, more vigorous lawn.
If pH modification is needed before adding lime or sulfur, assist with that.

It is best to aerate your lawn in the spring or early summer. Aerating your lawn before the grass turns green can give you a boost. Aerating the lawn early can help it grow thicker and promote faster growth. Try to do your aeration after cutting the grass.

Aerating tools/machines that remove small soil plugs give the best results. You can rent these machines from lawn and garden centers. Perhaps you could split the cost of renting with a neighbor who wants to aerate their lawn as well.

Finding this post helpful? See all our lawn care articles.

4. Test and Fertilize Your Lawn.

It won’t come as a big surprise to learn that fertilizer is good for your lawn. A little fertilizer may be all it takes to thicken your Bermuda grass.

What Is the Best Fertilizer For Bermuda Grass?

Bermuda grass thrives at pH levels between 6 and 6.5. Use a soil test kit to determine the ph. and the levels of nutrients present in your soil. Your soil test results will guide your application of lawn nutrients. You will likely add nitrogen, potash, lime, or sulfur depending on your pH level. Purdue University has a helpful pamphlet that explains the process.

Don’t want to do a soil test? A lawn fertilizer formulated specifically for Bermuda grass will be your best choice. You can easily find them in local stores and online.

5. Get Weeds Under Control

Weeds will compete with your Bermuda grass. If left unchecked they will take over your lawn and make it difficult for the Bermuda grass to grow.

There are two types of herbicides available to control weeds in your lawn.

Pre-emergent
Post-emergent.

Pre-emergent herbicide acts by creating a protective layer on the soil. It kills the weed seedlings as soon as they germinate and sprout.

Apply pre-emergent herbicides early in the growing seasons. You will need to administer a second application 8-10 weeks following the initial one.

Pro Tip: Avoid aerating your lawn after applying pre-emergent herbicide. Disturbing the soil at this point will create breaks in the barrier. This will allow weeds to grow through. Wait until just before the next application of pre-emergent herbicide to aerate.

Post emergent herbicides target weeds that are already growing. Apply these as needed to control existing weeds. Avoid applying post-emergent herbicides to the turf during the spring green up. Just mow and bag the weeds until you can deal with them. You are good to go once the grass is fully green

Caution: Do not apply herbicides in summer unless the temperature is below 90 °F. Do not mow the lawn for 3 days before herbicide application (or 2 days after).

Clenson College of agriculture takes an in depth look at managing weeds in warm season lawns

6. Treat Lawn Diseases Promptly

The best Bermuda Grass Seed is usually disease and insect resistant. However, disease and insect infestation can still strike, particularly if the grass is stressed.

There are a variety of insects that will attack Bermuda grass in the summer. These include

Mole crickets,
Bermudagrass mites
Grubs,
Nematodes
Ground pearls

All these pests can cause a lot of damage. Each pest problem will need a different approach. This usually involves the use of commercial insecticides. The University of California has a helpful article that will help you identify and deal with any harmful insects.

Fungal Diseases

Most of the diseases that occur in bermudagrass are fungal. They tend to crop up when the weather is wet and warm. You will notice small circular patches that start to spread out and form larger areas. Following our watering schedule and providing adequate soil drainage is the best prevention.

Bermuda Decline is another disease that has an adverse impact on growth. It will appear as irregular patches of yellowed grass that can get quite large. You will notice the grass thinning as the leaves turn yellow, shrivel up, and die. If you dig up the plants, you will discover withered and brittle roots.

This disease is usually a consequence of poorly drained soil. Aerating the soil will help, but you may have to consider drainage if it is bad.

The University of Georgia has a quick reference guide to the most common diseases and how to treat them

Pro tip: Make a point of inspecting your grass each week, so you can spot the signs of damage early and deal with it.

Bermuda Grass Care FAQ’s

How Do You Get Bermuda Grass To Spread?

Bermuda grass is naturally inclined to spread. Its deep roots and dense growth make it a dream to grow. Like all grass, it will need regular maintenance and feeding to keep looking its best. If you understand how to make Bermuda grass thicker, then you know how to get it to spread. Follow the 6 easy steps outlined above and your grass will spread and thicken up beautifully.

How Do You Make Bermuda Grass Greener?

The number one way to make your lawn greener is with Nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the big three nutrients that are most needed for a healthy lawn. It stimulates the production of chlorophyll in the grass. Plants use chlorophyll along with sunlight to get their nutrients. It is this substance that gives plant leaves their color.

Please note that some varieties of Bermuda grass are greener than others. The more drought resistant varieties will be a blue/green. Check out our review of seed to find out which variety will give you a greener lawn.

Too much nitrogen can cause problems and disease. Use a soil test kit to see what your levels of nitrogen are before adding more.

Is Epsom Salt Good For Bermuda Grass?

You may has seen some articles or social media posts promoting the use of Epsom Salts on your lawn. Epsom salts is composed of magnesium sulfate. This is a naturally occurring mineral that is a combination of magnesium and sulfur.

Magnesium does play a role in production of chlorophyll. Yet very few soils are deficient in either magnesium or sulfur. One exception might be a very sandy soil that experiences a great deal of rainfall. As with any fertilizer, more is not better. Each plant requires specific amounts of different elements (including Magnesium) to thrive. Too much can cause harm. The only reliable way to find out is to use soil test kit as noted above. A fertilizer formulated for Bermuda grass is probably a better choice that Epsom salts.

Will Bermuda Grass Choke Out Weeds?

Scientists developed Bermuda grass for its aggressive growth habits. These traits help it to form a thick carpet of lush grass. The same aggressive growing habit allows it to choke out weeds. Use the tips we’ve outlined above, and you should have a lawn that doesn’t encourage weeds. But this doesn’t mean weeds will never appear in your Bermuda grass lawn. Weeds are usually successful and can adapt to grow anywhere. Eventually they will grow in your lawn.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make Bermuda grass thicker. So, it’s time to draw up an action plan. Bermuda grass is known for its toughness, but it doesn’t always stay thick and luscious. We hope this article has given you some helpful ideas for how best to grow the lawn of your dreams! Follow our tips and you won’t go wrong. You know what to do. Now it is time to go out there and give your lawn some much needed attention!