Many southern homeowners choose Bermudagrass for its heat, drought, and foot traffic tolerance. But to keep it lush and healthy, you must use the right fertilizer. So, we searched the biggest outdoor living retailers in the country, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart, to find the best fertilizers for Bermudagrass. See reviews of our favorite products below.
Top picks
Top 6 lawn fertilizers for Bermudagrass – Reviews
1. Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8
To feed your Bermuda lawn grass a balanced diet of high-quality ingredients, try Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8. Its feed-grade ingredients are perfectly proportioned to promote dense green growth, healthy roots, and a strong immune system. Additionally, the formula improves grass’s tolerance to heat, cold, and drought.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 3,200 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 2 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Liquid, not certified organic but does contain some organic ingredients to improve soil health
- N-P-K: 16-4-8
- Package size: 32 oz.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Well-balanced nutrition ✓ High-quality ingredients ✓ Boosts immune system ✓ Improves tolerance to pests ✓ Improves cold-tolerance ✓ Made in USA | ✗ Some states ban phosphorus fertilizers |
Where to buy:
2. The Andersons PGF Complete Fertilizer with Humic DG
The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer is another well-balanced fertilizer that gives Bermuda the nutrients it needs for dense growth, deep green color, and a fantastic immune system. In addition to NPK, it contains iron and humic acid. Humic acid improves the soil, so your lawn takes in more water and nutrients.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 10,000
- Effective period: 8 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic
- N-P-K: 16-4-8
- Package size: 40 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Well-balanced nutrition ✓ Improves the soil ✓ Boosts immune system ✓ Improves tolerance to pests ✓ Improves cold-tolerance | ✗ Sometimes green-up can take up to a month ✗ Some states ban phosphorus fertilizers |
Where to buy:
3. Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer
If you want a lush green lawn that’s safe for your children and pets, try Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer. The organic nitrogen-rich formula fosters lush green lawns without using harsh chemicals. It won’t burn your grass but will improve its tolerance to heat, cold, and drought. And some homeowners notice green up in just 3 to 5 days.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 8 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Liquid, slow-release, organic
- N-P-K: 9-0-2
- Package size: 20 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Organic ✓ Improves soil conditions ✓ Long-lasting ✓ Safe for children and pets ✓ Improves cold-tolerance | ✗ No phosphorus |
Where to buy:
4. Milorganite Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer
If you’re looking for an affordable organic fertilizer, try Milorganite Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer. For over 90 years, it’s been trusted to encourage dense green growth without burning lawns. Additionally, it contains organic matter, improving soil composition, and is especially beneficial for sandy soils.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 2,500 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 10 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, organic
- N-P-K: 6-4-0
- Package size: 32 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Improves soil ✓ Safe ✓ Long-lasting ✓ Encourages root growth | ✗ No potassium ✗ Some states ban phosphorus fertilizers |
Where to buy:
5. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food is formulated to meet the needs of warm-season grasses like Bermuda. It contains Scotts’ All-in-One Particles that build strong roots and protect grass from heat and drought. Additionally, its potassium helps build a better tolerance to winter cold fronts and insect damage.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 6 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic
- N-P-K: 32-0-10
- Package size: 14.06 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Protects against weather damage ✓ Improves tolerance to pests ✓ Encourages dense green growth | ✗ High nitrogen content can burn lawns if over-fertilized ✗ No phosphorus |
Where to buy:
6. Pennington Smart Seed Bermudagrass Seed and Fertilizer Mix
If you want to establish a new lawn or overseed an existing Bermuda lawn, consider Pennington Smart Seed Bermudagrass Seed and Fertilizer Mix. In addition to Bermuda seeds, the Smart Seed mix contains cool-season grass seeds, which speed up greening and germination. Apply the mixture in spring or early summer, and new grass will sprout within two weeks.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 6 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Fertilizer-coated grass seed, slow-release
- Package size: 8.75 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Great for overseeding ✓ Fills in bare patches ✓ Fast germination | ✗ Not good for general fertilization |
Where to buy:
Buyer’s guide to lawn fertilizers for Bermudagrass
To choose the right fertilizer for your Bermudagrass lawn, please consider the following:
Nutrients
Fertilizing your lawn adds nutrients to the soil, so you can grow a lush green lawn free of pests and diseases. Here, we’ll briefly go over how to determine what nutrients your lawn needs.
Soil test
The only way to know exactly what nutrients your grass needs is to do a soil test. A soil test measures levels of the following:
- Nutrients (NPK and micronutrients)
- Soil pH
- Organic matter
- Soil texture
NPK
The primary (or macronutrients) lawns need are NPK:
- Nitrogen (N) gives grass its deep green color and encourages dense growth. During its growing season, Bermudagrass needs around 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Phosphorus (P) promotes healthy root development. When the soil has too much, the runoff water endangers sea life. Because soil often has enough phosphorus for established lawns, several states ban fertilizers containing the element.
- Potassium (K) strengthens grass and increases its tolerance to pests, diseases, and weather. This is especially helpful for Bermuda lawns, which often struggle with pests and diseases.
N-P-K ratio
Each package of lawn fertilizer lists the package weight and the N-P-K ratio. For example, Milorganite Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer comes in a 32 lb. bag with an N-P-K of 6-4-0. To calculate the amount of each nutrient:
- Nitrogen (N): 0.06 x 32 =1.92 pounds
- Phosphorus (P): 0.04 x 32 =1.28 pounds
- Potassium (K): 0 x 32 = 0 pounds
You need a soil test to know the correct ratio for your soil, but common recommendations for Bermudagrass are 3-1-2 and 4-1-3.
Micronutrients
In addition to NPK, there are nutrients lawns need in small amounts. Sometimes Bermuda lawns need the soil amended with micronutrients such as iron or sulfur.
Time of year
The best times to fertilize Bermudagrass are late spring/early summer, mid-summer, and late summer. The first application should be done while the grass is green and there isn’t a chance of frost. Don’t fertilize Bermuda during winter dormancy.
Type of fertilizer
There are several types of fertilizers to choose from:
- Slow-release vs. quick-release fertilizer: You don’t have to apply slow-release fertilizer as frequently because the nutrients slowly break down into the soil. Quick-release fertilizers nourish the grass quicker but need more applications and increase the risk of fertilizer burn.
- Liquid vs. granular fertilizer: Granular fertilizers tend to be cheaper and slow-release, whereas liquid fertilizers are more costly and release nutrients much quicker. You apply granules using a spreader and liquids using a sprayer. Our article Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer goes into more detail about these differences.
- Organic vs. synthetic fertilizer: Synthetic fertilizers yield quicker results and typically cost less, but you’ll have better long-run success with organic fertilizers.
- Weed and feed: Weed and feed products contain fertilizer and herbicide, so they feed your lawn and treat common weeds such as dandelions, clover, or crabgrass.
Price
If you fertilize your own lawn, expect to spend around $40 to $320 on fertilizer and supplies, depending on the size of your lawn and the type of fertilizer you choose. If you hire a pro, lawn fertilization usually costs anywhere from $120 to $480 per treatment.
FAQ about lawn fertilizers for Bermudagrass
The best organic fertilizers for Bermuda are Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer and Milorganite Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer.
The best way to prevent weeds in Bermuda turfgrass is staying on top of routine lawn maintenance, including:
• Following our tips for mowing your lawn
• Following our tips for fertilizing your lawn
• Aerating and dethatching your lawn to avoid soil compaction and improve soil drainage.
• Watering your lawn just the right amount – not too much or too little.
• Applying the best pre-emergent herbicides before weed seeds have a chance to germinate.
If some stragglers still pop up, you can use the best post-emergent herbicides to kill weeds after they sprout. You can also try natural and organic weed killers.
The ideal soil pH for Bermudagrass is 6 to 6.5.
The most common Bermudagrass pests are:
• Armyworms
• Bermudagrass mites
• Bermudagrass scale
• Ground pearls
• Hunting billbugs
• Mole crickets
• Sod webworms
• Nematodes
• Rhodesgrass scale
• White grubs
Lawn fertilizer with potassium, such as Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8 and The Andersons PGF Complete Fertilizer with Humic DG, can improve Bermudagrass’s tolerance of these pests.
The most common Bermudagrass diseases are:
• Large patch
• Dollar spot
• Leaf spot and melting out
• Rust
• Spring dead spot
Using fertilizer with high potassium content can also improve Bermuda’s resistance to these diseases.
The best lawn fertilizer for your yard depends on the type of grass, so we also found the best fertilizers for the following warm-season grasses:
• Centipedegrass: The best lawn fertilizers for centipede include Simple Lawn Solutions 15-0-15 Liquid Fertilizer and Fertilome Centipede Lawn Fertilizer 15-0-15.
• St. Augustinegrass: The best lawn fertilizers for St. Augustine include The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer and Espoma Organic Lawn Food.
• Zoysiagrass: The best lawn fertilizers for Zoysia include Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8 and Turf Nature Natural Base Fertilizer.
When to call a lawn care pro
If you want to encourage lush grass growth on your Bermuda lawn, hiring an experienced lawn care pro is the best solution. Pros have high-end products and equipment that yield better results than most consumer products. They also have the know-how to determine precisely what your lawn needs to thrive.
Typically, you don’t have to be home when the crew arrives, and routine service is more affordable than you think. Regular lawn maintenance, including mowing, fertilizing, and more, is more convenient and user-friendly than ever!
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