The Good and Bad About Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is one of the most popular grasses in the U.S. It has used extensively on golf courses, lawns, large landscapes, playgrounds, recreational parks, sports venues, etc. Originating in the country of Africa where it populated the open areas of the country, this transplanted grass has proven to be hardy in this country as well. Its origin, no doubt, explains its ability to go for long periods of time without much rain. It also has a high tolerance to sunlight. But even when the grass blades are burnt or damaged by insects or animal it manages to re-grow and reestablish itself in record time. Because it recovers so quickly, it is the perfect grass for high traffic areas such as those mentioned above.

One of the reasons that Bermuda grass is so hardy is because of its deep root system. This root system enables it to grow in temperatures as cold as thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit and as warm as ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit and higher. Even though Bermuda grass can easily survive periods of drought by slipping into a semi-dormant state, it absolutely thrives in warm, rainy weather. Its best growth spurts occur in air temperatures above sixty-four degrees Fahrenheit and ground temperatures from the high seventies and above.

Bermuda grass is also a very aggressive grass and once it has established itself, it is hard to get rid of. The nice thing about this is that it requires only moderate lawn care. You can miss more than a few waterings and grass-cuttings with no ill effects. It is very forgiving of your lawn negligence and does not need to be babied. Another benefit is that, if you have bare spots, Bermuda grass can produce lawn coverage amazingly fast – even from seed. And you rarely have to worry about weeds. In a fight with weeds, more often than not, the Bermuda grass will come out the winner. And finally, you rarely have to worry about your soil. Bermuda will grow in practically any type of soil – it is very versatile.

The bad thing about Bermuda grass’ aggressiveness is that it can easily overrun other plants that you have in your garden. Or it can overrun your neighbors property. It just won’t stay put. It can also cause problems in farmland areas where Bermuda grass seed my be intermixed with crop seeds, eventually posing a challenge to the farmer’s crops when they both fight for the same resources. If you ever need to get rid of it, about the only way to do it, without poisoning the ground and any other plants in the area, is to dig up its root systems.

Even though you will find in in all areas of the country, Bermuda grass has a special affinity for the South. Many parts of the South, such as Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, have temperatures and weather conditions very close to its place of origin making it almost like a second home.