Contact Us for Modern and Professional Grass Services
Call Us Now!
The best fertilizer for Bermuda grass isn’t a single product — it’s the right NPK ratio applied at the right time. Bermuda is a heavy nitrogen feeder that rewards a consistent program with deep, blue-green color and tight density. Feed it wrong, and you’ll either burn the lawn or push it into disease territory. Here’s a plain-English breakdown of what to use, when to use it, and how to build a fertilizer schedule that works for Louisiana’s climate.
Fertilizer labels show three numbers: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
Bermuda’s ideal growing-season ratio is roughly 4-1-2 — about twice as much nitrogen as potassium, with a smaller amount of phosphorus.
Use a high-phosphorus starter like 18-24-12 at installation. This accelerates rooting during the critical establishment window.
A balanced slow-release 16-4-8, 15-5-10, or 24-0-11 applied every 4–6 weeks keeps Bermuda thick and dark green without burning.
Shift to a potassium-rich formula like 5-10-30 or a “winterizer” before dormancy. Potassium hardens the plant against cold and disease through winter.
Milorganite (6-4-0), composted chicken manure, and alfalfa-based fertilizers are excellent organic options. They release slowly, build soil health, and are harder to over-apply.
| Month | Application | NPK Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Late March / Early April | Spring green-up | 16-4-8 at 1 lb N / 1,000 sq ft |
| May | Maintenance | 16-4-8 or 24-0-11 |
| June | Summer feed | Slow-release 16-4-8 |
| July | Maintenance | Slow-release 15-5-10 |
| Mid-August | Late-summer feed | Balanced with potassium boost |
| September | Winterizer | 5-10-30 or 0-0-22 |
| October–February | No fertilizer | Dormancy period |
The standard rate is 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per application. To calculate how much product you need:
Divide 100 by the first number on the bag. Example: A 16-4-8 product → 100 / 16 = 6.25 pounds of product per 1,000 sq ft to deliver 1 lb of N.
A $20 soil test from the LSU AgCenter reveals what your lawn actually needs. Many Louisiana yards are already phosphorus-rich, meaning a standard 16-4-8 may waste phosphorus you don’t need. A soil test every 2–3 years saves money and sharpens your fertilizer plan.
Always water granular fertilizer in with at least ½ inch of irrigation within 24 hours. This moves nutrients into the root zone and eliminates burn risk from residue on leaf blades.
Products like 46-0-0 (urea) or 34-0-0 deliver high nitrogen but burn easily. Most homeowners are better served by slow-release 16-4-8 or 24-0-11.
Yes. Scotts Turf Builder (32-0-4) works well on Bermuda, especially in summer. Avoid products labeled “weed and feed” unless the herbicide is Bermuda-safe.
Every 4–6 weeks from late March through early September — usually 4–5 applications per year.
Yes. Over-fertilization causes thatch buildup, fungal disease, burn spots, and excessive mowing frequency. Stay within 4–6 lbs of total nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year.
By mid-September in Louisiana. A final potassium-heavy feeding is beneficial, but avoid nitrogen after that.
Starter fertilizer at installation helps rooting. Follow up at 4–6 weeks with a balanced maintenance formula.
TurnKey Grass helps homeowners in Kenner, Mandeville, La Place, and across southeastern Louisiana build fertilizer programs tailored to their soil, sun exposure, and goals. From new sod installs to lawn restorations, we get your Bermuda grass where you want it — and keep it there.
TurnKey Grass 
