Summer Lawn Care: How to Keep Your BIMINI® Bermuda Healthy

With everyone spending more time outdoors, whether it's for afternoon barbecues, pool parties, or outdoor games, the condition of your lawn becomes a focal point. A lush, green lawn that stays healthy and green even under the searing heat and blazing sun stands out and makes a lasting impression. If you have bermudagrass, you're already at an advantage owing to its drought-tolerant nature.

Even better, lawns with improved grass types like BIMINI® bermudagrass benefit from their superior qualities. Characterized by its vigorous, dense, and fine-bladed turf, BIMINI® is a leading option for golf courses, sports fields, commercial properties, and high-end lawns. Its exceptional characteristics make it even more desirable during summer.

The Advantages of BIMINI® Bermudagrass in Summer

One of the key advantages of BIMINI® bermudagrass is its exceptional drought tolerance. With a dense, deep root system, this grass variety can retain its emerald green color even during extended dry periods. This resilience makes it an excellent option for maintaining a lush lawn despite harsh conditions.

Besides high temperatures, summer often brings increased foot traffic due to various outdoor activities. BIMINI® is impressively traffic-tolerant and, in fact, ranked highest in durability in a previous study by Oklahoma State University. It can withstand the heavy use often associated with summer gatherings, and with its resilient nature, it can stay attractive and healthy even with constant use.

Another standout feature of BIMINI® is its dense, vigorous growth—a characteristic that allows for quick recovery from damage. This is essential for golf courses and sports fields that endure harsh treatment. BIMINI®'s ability to bounce back quickly ensures your lawn remains in excellent condition, no matter the activity it is subjected to.

How to Maintain Your BIMINI® Bermuda During Summer

Achieving a lawn that rivals the lush greens of a golf course involves a comprehensive, multi-step approach that ensures the grass stays green and healthy. This includes adjustments to irrigation, mowing, and fertilizing to account for the intense heat, which leads to vigorous growth and increased evaporation.

Watering

Being drought-tolerant, most warm-season grasses, like BIMINI® Bermudagrass, thrive with 1-1.5 inches of water weekly, including rainfall and irrigation. However, supplemental watering may be necessary during prolonged dry periods to compensate for water loss.

Water conservation is critical year-round, especially during the peak of summer. While it might seem tempting to water more frequently, proper watering practices remain essential, particularly in areas with water restrictions.

Water early in the morning to allow the grass to absorb moisture before the heat of the day, and avoid watering in the afternoon. Water deeply but less frequently, ensuring the soil is moist 6-8 inches deep. Deep watering trains the roots to grow deeper into the soil, further improving drought tolerance.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing in early summer can support the vigorous growth of warm-season grasses, which thrive at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It also helps make your grass more heat and drought-tolerant.

During the peak growing season, it's recommended to fertilize every 6-8 weeks. However, avoid over-fertilizing to prevent burning your lawn, and never apply fertilizers when the grass is dormant or under heat and drought stress.

Mowing

BIMINI® bermudagrass can tolerate low mowing heights, as low as 0.5 inches, further proving its reputation as a leading golf grass. However, mowing too low, too often, or removing too much at once can stress the grass.

Adjust your mowing schedule and height based on the current growing conditions. Mow more often when the grass is actively growing, and raise the mowing height during summer to help shade the soil and protect the crown and roots from intense heat. Refrain from mowing more than one-third of the grass length at a time to avoid scalping, keep mower blades sharp, and avoid mowing when the grass is wet to prevent disease.

Weed Control

Weed control is a year-round practice to prevent weeds from taking over your lawn. Proactive weed management should include manual removal and herbicides, if necessary, to address extensive weed issues.

Targeting weeds at different stages—from seedling to maturity—can help. For example, raising your mowing height provides the added benefit of shading the soil, which keeps weeds from germinating. Additionally, mowing regularly cuts off the heads of weeds, preventing them from producing and spreading seeds.

Takeaway

Besides the inherent advantages of BIMINI® bermudagrass, introducing this grass variety to your lawn through sod installation provides several benefits, such as almost instant coverage, which aids in weed and erosion control. It guarantees faster establishment than traditional methods, resulting in a higher success rate.

Adhering to these lawn care practices allows you to achieve a healthy, green lawn that withstands the summer heat and looks just as impressive in any other season.

Get your lawn summer-ready and thriving year-round by finding a BIMINI® grower near you. For more lawn care tips, visit our website today.