Bermuda grass is the most common lawn grass in Oklahoma because it thrives in our hot summers, tolerates drought, and handles full sun beautifully. To keep Bermuda healthy, mow at 1.5-2.5 inches weekly during the growing season, water deeply but infrequently, fertilize 4-6 times per year, and apply pre-emergent in late February. Bermuda goes dormant (brown) in winter, which is completely normal. Complete Lawn Care’s 7-step program is specifically designed for Oklahoma Bermuda lawns.
What Makes Bermuda Great for Oklahoma
Heat tolerance: Bermuda actually thrives in temperatures that stress other grasses. While fescue struggles in July and August, Bermuda is hitting its stride.
Drought resistance: Bermuda’s deep root system and ability to go semi-dormant during drought make it well-suited for Oklahoma’s unpredictable rainfall.
Self-repairing: Bermuda spreads aggressively through stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (underground runners). Damaged areas fill in on their own without reseeding.
Traffic tolerance: Bermuda handles foot traffic better than most grasses, making it great for active families and pets.
Bermuda’s One Weakness: Shade
Bermuda needs full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight daily). In shaded areas, it thins out, becomes leggy, and eventually dies. If you have significant shade from trees or structures, consider fescue or Zoysia for those areas, or accept that grass may not be the best groundcover there.
Mowing Bermuda Grass
Height: Maintain Bermuda at 1.5-2.5 inches. Lower heights (1.5-2″) create a denser, more manicured look but require more frequent mowing. Higher heights (2-2.5″) are more forgiving.
Frequency: Weekly mowing is essential during peak growing season (May-September). Bermuda grows fast in summer heat. Following the 1/3 rule (never remove more than 1/3 of the blade) often means mowing every 5-7 days.
Sharp blades: Bermuda’s fine texture shows ragged cuts more than coarse grasses. Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts.
Leave clippings: With frequent mowing, clippings are small and break down quickly. They return nutrients to the soil. Only bag if clippings are excessive or you’ve fallen behind on mowing.
Watering Bermuda Grass
How much: About 1-1.5 inches per week total (including rainfall) during active growth. Bermuda can survive on less but won’t look its best.
How often: Deep, infrequent watering (2-3 times per week) encourages deep root growth. Daily light watering creates shallow roots and a weaker lawn.
Best time: Early morning (before 10am). This reduces evaporation loss and gives grass time to dry before nightfall (reducing disease risk).
During drought: Bermuda can survive drought by going semi-dormant. It will turn brown but isn’t dead. It greens up when water returns. If you want to maintain a green color during drought, you’ll need to water.
Fertilizing Bermuda Grass
How often: Bermuda is a heavy feeder. Plan on 4-6 fertilizer applications per year during the growing season (roughly April-October).
Timing: First application after grass is 50% green (usually April). Continue every 6-8 weeks through the season. The final fall application in October builds root strength for winter.
What to use: Bermuda responds well to nitrogen. A soil test tells you what else you need. Most Oklahoma soils don’t need additional phosphorus.
Weed Control for Bermuda
Pre-emergent: Apply in late February before soil temps reach 55°F. This prevents crabgrass, the biggest weed problem in Bermuda lawns. A fall application (late August) prevents winter weeds.
Post-emergent: Broadleaf herbicides handle dandelions, clover, and other non-grass weeds without harming Bermuda. Grassy weeds like dallisgrass are harder to control selectively.
Best defense: A thick, healthy Bermuda lawn naturally crowds out weeds. Focus on lawn health first, and weed pressure decreases.
Bermuda’s Annual Cycle in Oklahoma
Winter (Dec-Feb): Dormant and brown. This is normal, not dead. Minimal care is needed.
Spring (Mar-May): Green-up begins when soil temps hit 65°F (usually late March/April). Growth increases rapidly through May.
Summer (Jun-Aug): Peak growth and peak beauty. Bermuda thrives in summer heat. Most intensive care period.
Fall (Sep-Nov): Growth slows as temps cool. Great time for fall fertilization. Goes dormant after the first hard freeze.
Complete Lawn Care’s Bermuda Program
Our 7-step lawn care program is specifically designed for Oklahoma Bermuda lawns. We handle fertilization, weed control, and pest prevention with applications timed to Bermuda’s growth cycle. Add our weekly mowing service for complete care. Let us handle the expertise while you enjoy the results.
Contact Complete Lawn. Care:
Phone: (918) 605-4646 | Email: [email protected] | Online: completelawncaretulsa.com/get-a-quote