Bermuda thrives in the piedmont and coastal plain regions, where temperatures are hotter. But if you want to keep your yard in top shape, following a Bermudagrass lawn care calendar for North Carolina is the first thing you need to do.
By sticking to a seasonal care plan, you can ensure your Bermudagrass stays healthy and vibrant all year long.
In this article:
Spring lawn care for North Carolina
As spring rolls around and you start getting ready for the Dreamville Festival, don’t forget that it’s also time to prepare your Bermudagrass, one of the best grass seeds for North Carolina, for the growing season with a few lawn care tasks:
March
- Plant hybrid Bermuda: While it might seem early, March is a good time to plant hybrid Bermudagrass sprigs if you live in the coastal plain. You can continue planting through July. For regular Bermudagrass or if you live in the piedmont, hold off until next month.
- Mow your lawn: Start mowing once your lawn begins to turn green — this will likely happen sooner in the coastal plain than in the piedmont. Mow the grass before it grows taller than 2.5 inches, at a height of 1 to 2.5 inches, and leave the clippings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil.
- Water as necessary: Bermudagrass requires around 1 inch of water per week. If your grass has started growing and you notice wilted, folded, or curled leaves, it’s a sign it needs water.
- Apply pre-emergent herbicides: From mid-February to early March, apply pre-emergent herbicides to prevent summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds from germinating. Common weeds to watch out for include white clover, knotweed, spurge, and lespedeza.
April
- Plant your lawn: April is an ideal time to plant both regular Bermudagrass and hybrid Bermuda in the piedmont and coastal plain regions. This planting window remains open until July.
- Fertilize your lawn:
- In the piedmont, only fertilize this month if your lawn has high fertilization needs. A soil test will help determine the exact requirements. You can fertilize high needs lawns monthly from April to September at a rate of 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
- In the coastal plain, apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, regardless of whether you have a high-needs or basic-needs Bermuda lawn. The best times to fertilize basic needs lawns in the coastal plain are April, June, and August, but you can fertilize high needs lawns monthly from April to September.
- Continue mowing: Keep mowing regularly, and ensure your mower blades are sharp to avoid tearing the grass, which can make it more susceptible to diseases. Learn how to do it in our article: “How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades.”
- Water: Provide your Bermudagrass with 1 inch of water per week, preferably between 2 and 8 a.m., to minimize evaporation.
May
- Keep mowing and watering: Continue mowing and watering your Bermudagrass as recommended in March and April. Maintain the same practices to keep your lawn healthy.
- You can still plant: If you’re planning to renovate your lawn or start from scratch, remember you have until July to plant Bermudagrass.
- Fertilize:
- Usually, the best time to fertilize a basic needs lawn in the piedmont is May, July, and September. Fertilize your lawn with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
- In the coastal plain, only fertilize this month if your lawn has high fertilization needs (same rate as above).
- Apply post-emergent herbicides: Despite your efforts in March, some stubborn weeds might still pop up. Spot treat them with post-emergent herbicides to eliminate the weeds that have already sprouted.
- Dethatch: If the thatch layer is thicker than 1/2 inch, it’s time to dethatch your lawn. Removing excess thatch not only improves your lawn’s appearance but also helps prevent diseases like spring dead-spot. Learn how to do it in our article: “How to Dethatch Your Lawn.”
Summer lawn care for North Carolina
Summer is when Bermudagrass really hits its stride, growing quickly and demanding a bit more attention. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy a trip to Topsail Island, but you’ll need a little planning to complete the following tasks:
June
- Mow: Bermudagrass, like other warm-season grasses, grows the most during summer, so you’ll need to mow more frequently. Keep the grass height between 1 and 2.5 inches, and remember never to remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing.
- Plant Bermuda if needed: If you still need to plant Bermudagrass, you still have time to do it this month.
- Water: Continue watering your lawn with 1 inch of water per week. In the coastal plain, you may need to water more often since sandy soils retain less moisture.
- Fertilize:
- In the piedmont, fertilize with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet if your lawn has high fertilization needs.
- In the coastal plain, apply the same amount of fertilizer for both basic and high-needs grasses.
- Dethatch when necessary: If the thatch layer is thicker than 1/2 inch, you can dethatch your lawn again. You can use a vertical mower and perform this task monthly throughout the summer, as long as your lawn has enough time to recover between sessions.
- Careful with herbicides: Throughout the summer, you may need to apply post-emergent herbicides in two or three applications, spaced seven to ten days apart, to kill stubborn weeds like crabgrass and goosegrass. However, it’s important to avoid doing it during drought conditions to prevent additional stress on your lawn.
- Prevent grubs: If your lawn has a history of grub infestation, consider applying chemical control this month. Products like Merit and Mach 2 are recommended and should be applied when moths are flying, before they lay eggs.
July
- Keep mowing and watering: Continue mowing your Bermudagrass at the recommended height of 1 to 2.5 inches, and ensure it receives 1 inch of water per week, adjusting it for rainfall and soil conditions.
- Dethatch: Only dethatch if your lawn has recovered from the previous dethatching session in June or if you haven’t dethatched last month. Of course, you should wait to do it when the thatch layer is thicker than 1/2 inch.
- Apply herbicides only if necessary: Continue to apply post-emergent herbicides as needed to spot treat stubborn weeds, but be cautious during hot and dry conditions.
- Last planting chance: July is your final opportunity to plant Bermudagrass if you’re looking to establish or renovate your lawn this season.
- Fertilize:
- In the piedmont, fertilize with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, whether your lawn has basic or high fertilization needs.
- In the coastal plain, only fertilize this month if your lawn has high fertilization needs (same rate as above).
August
- Keep watering and mowing: Continue with your regular mowing and watering routine, maintaining the same practices as in the previous months.
- Fertilize:
- In the piedmont, apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet only if your lawn has high fertilization needs.
- In the coastal plain, fertilize with the same amount as above, whether your lawn has basic or high fertilization needs.
- Pay attention to weeds: If you’re tired of applying herbicides or feel your lawn has had enough chemicals for the season, consider hand-removing any remaining weeds to avoid over-stressing the grass. You can also rent a goat to remove weeds naturally.
Fall lawn care for North Carolina
Before you head out on a road trip to admire the stunning fall colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are a few more lawn care tasks to tackle:
September
- Raise the mowing height: Continue mowing your lawn, though less frequently, as growth slows down. Raise the mowing height by 1/2 inch around mid to late September in the piedmont and from late September to mid-October in the coastal plain.
- Use a mulching mower: If your lawn has a lot of autumn leaves, you can use one of the best mulching mowers to shred them and use them as mulch for your lawn.
- Water as necessary: Bermuda reduces its water needs in the fall, so only water to prevent the soil from becoming powder-dry.
- Fertilize:
- In the piedmont, apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet for both basic and high-fertilization needs lawns.
- In the coastal plain, fertilize with the same amount only if your lawn has high fertilization needs.
- Control insects: To control Japanese beetle grubs, consider applying milky spore bacteria in late September to early October. This treatment is effective if your soil pH level is between 6 and 7.
- Control diseases: If soil temperatures are between 60 and 80 F (late September to mid-October in the coastal plain and early September to early October in the piedmont), apply a fungicide to treat areas where spring dead spot is usually an issue.
October
- Keep mowing with the raised mowing height: Continue mowing your Bermudagrass at the raised height you established in September. This will help the grass prepare for the colder months.
- Keep watering: Continue watering, though less frequently, to prevent the soil from becoming powder-dry.
- Avoid fertilizing: Refrain from fertilizing unless your lawn needs extra care or your soil test recommends it. If you do fertilize, opt for a fertilizer that is high in potassium and low in nitrogen.
November
- Mow even less often: As Bermudagrass growth continues to slow down, reduce the frequency of mowing. Only mow when necessary.
- Water sparingly: Only water to prevent extremely dry soil. Overwatering can do more harm than good at this stage.
- Don’t fertilize: Avoid fertilizing in November. Doing it this late in the season can lead to winter injury and weaken your lawn’s ability to recover in spring.
Winter lawn care for North Carolina
With Bermudagrass dormant, there’s not much to do in winter, just a bit of tidying up here and there:
December to February
- Remove leaves and clean up: Keep your lawn tidy by regularly removing leaves and debris. Piles of leaves can smother your grass, leading to damage. To learn how to do it, read our article: “How to Clean Your Yard.”
- Keep watering: Water just enough to prevent the soil from becoming exceptionally dry.
- Apply herbicides when necessary: If you need to control annual bluegrass and winter annual weeds like chickweed and henbit, apply post-emergent herbicides directly to the weeds or pull them by hand.
- Amend your soil: North Carolina soils can be acidic, so applying lime during winter can benefit your lawn. With less foot traffic and the freeze-thaw cycles, the lime will better penetrate the soil. Refer to your soil test to determine the type of soil you have.
- Don’t fertilize: Fertilization at this time can cause winter injury and weaken the grass.
More North Carolina resources
Maybe Bermudagrass is not for you, and that’s ok! Check out our other North Carolina articles for more information on other grass types:
- Zoysiagrass Maintenance Schedule for North Carolina
- Kentucky Bluegrass Lawn Care Calendar for North Carolina
Call in the pros
Bermudagrass is an excellent option for lawns in North Carolina’s coastal plain and piedmont regions. However, to keep it looking its best, it needs regular care, including frequent mowing, dethatching, and consistent fertilization.
If these tasks feel like too much to handle on your own, why not bring in a lawn care professional? They can help ensure your lawn stays healthy and beautiful year-round.
Main Image Credit: tammykayphoto | Adobe Stock | License
