During periods of drought or extreme heat, raise the mowing height to around 2 in (5. 1 cm) to reduce plant stress. [3] X Research source If your grass is already really long, only remove ⅓ of the plant height at a time. Gradually adjust your mowing height lower and lower every week until you hit the 1–1. 5 in (2. 5–3. 8 cm) range.

To prevent run-off and make sure you’re watering deep enough, you might have to run your sprinklers in 30-minute or 1-hour intervals. Watering in intervals gives the soil time to absorb everything. Grass doesn’t grow well with wet roots. If you see muddy puddles of water on your lawn, it’s time to dial back the amount you’re watering.

Since applying 0. 5 lb (0. 23 kg) of fertilizer isn’t the same thing as applying 0. 5 lb (0. 23 kg) of nitrogen, you’ll need to do a quick conversion. To figure out how much fertilizer you need to get 0. 5 lb (0. 23 kg) pound of nitrogen, divide 50 by the first number on the fertilizer bag. For instance, if you’re using a 15-5-10 fertilizer, 50 divided by 15 equals 3. 3, so you’d need to distribute 3. 3 lb (1. 5 kg) of fertilizer to actually get 0. 5 lb (0. 23 kg) of nitrogen. You don’t need to fertilize in the fall or winter because the plants are likely dormant during that season.

Pre-emergent herbicides create a boundary in the soil to prevent weed growth. Each product is different, but in general, you should apply a pre-emergent herbicide 2-3 times a year.

You should wait several months to aerate the lawn if you just applied pre-emergent herbicide.

When you choose seeds to overseed a Bermuda grass lawn, try using annual ryegrass, as an optional strategy to keep your lawn looking green through winter. [10] X Research source After you overseed, lightly water 2-3 times a day for 7-10 days before returning to your regular watering schedule. [11] X Research source

It’s best to remove thatch from March-May before your Bermuda grass enters it’s true growing season.

Bermuda grass doesn’t typically suffer from insect infestations because it grows so rapidly, but you can apply insecticide in June to prevent white grubs. [15] X Research source

Apply 5 pounds (2. 3 kg) of pelletized sulfur per 1000 square feet of turf, only when the air temp is below 75 °F (24 °C). The amount of lime you need to raise pH will vary depending on your soil type. In general, the amount ranges from 25–100 lb (11–45 kg) per 1000 sq ft of turf. [17] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source December through February provides a good window to adjust soil pH as you likely won’t be fertilizing during that period. [18] X Research source

Only apply iron in the spring when temperatures are between 60–70 °F (16–21 °C). Check the instructions on the package to prevent applying too much iron.