MBS Seed, Ltd.
Denton, Texas
(940) 387-2701
(800) 627-2939
Bermudagrass is a hardy, persistent plant that will provide excellent forage and hay. The simplest method of planting bermudagrass seed is to broadcast the seed into a pasture and then leave. Results should be fair at best, with optimum conditions. The bermuda seeds that sprout and mature will likely have a tough time competing with weeds for available light, moisture and nutrients. Take the time to thoroughly prepare the site well ahead of planting, and it will help you have a healthier, more successful stand of bermuda.
Seedbed Preparation
If you have failed to properly prepare the seed bed, then everything you do from this point forward will be at risk of failure. Preparation of the soil to allow for proper movement of moisture and nutrients through the soil and prevent weed competition is critical to the early success of your bermuda. Site preparation is something that must be begun weeks, months or even years ahead of the anticipated planting date.
Begin by removing existing vegetation, either through mechanical or chemical means.
Then, plow, till or somehow break up the soil. Drag the soil to level.
Cultivation accomplishes several things:
It loosens the soil to allow for root and water penetration.
It incorporates organic matter back into the soil.
However, cultivation will also stimulate weed seeds in the soil to sprout. So, the next step is to:
Irrigate or allow rainfall to sprout weed seed in the soil. Weed seed can remain dormant in the soil for years, waiting for proper conditions to germinate. Pasture soils are generally full of weed seed. Cultivation will often bring many of them to the surface and stimulate sprouting.
Spray with a contact weed killer. Once the weeds are dead, it may be necessary to irrigate and kill weeds again, depending on the amount of weed seed in your soil. In some situations, such as pasture that has remained uncultivated for a number of years, this process may need to be started several seasons ahead of the planting date in order to eliminate as many weeds and weed seed as possible to provide a less competitive environment for the bermudagrass. Preplant weed control is crucial to the success of the bermudagrass and is often overlooked. Many people follow all the other steps carefully, and then are disappointed when the pasture that they have plowed and planted is full of unwanted weeds, while the bermuda seedlings struggle to survive under the thick weeds. Dont skip Preplant Weed Control!
Drag or lightly rake the surface smooth. Be careful not to cultivate after the last weed kill, as it may bring more weed seed to the surface and allow it to sprout.
Application
The soil temperature should be 65ΊF to 70ΊF before seeding. Planting too early in cold soils will result in slow and erratic emergence at best. Moisture should be present for germination and seedling establishment.
Sow seed at the recommended rate. Drill in to no more than 1/4 deep, or broadcast the seed on top of the ground and drag to no more than 1/4 deep. Run a weighted roller or cultipacker to firm the seed bed.
Fertilization
Get a soil test! A soil test will tell you what chemical components that you need to add for healthy plant growth. This will allow you to purchase a fertilizer with the proper components that will benefit your specific situation. Fertilizer is not necessary for growing bermudagrass, but it is essential for helping the bermuda have a well-developed root system and overall good plant health, which equates to better tolerance to adverse environmental conditions and maximum forage production and quality. Contact your local county agent for details on getting your soil tested. (Click to locate county agent.)
Give it time...
Under ideal conditions, bermuda will usually germinate within several weeks. However, there are many factors that will delay germination, such as soil characteristics, temperature, and moisture. Check your field often to look for bermuda seedlings.
Time spent properly preparing the seed bed now will give you a better return on your investment in bermudagrass.