With the ability to thrive in full sun and sandy soils, Bermuda grass is a popular choice for the Virginia Beach area. In addition to being heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant, this warm-season grass can withstand heavy foot traffic, making it an excellent choice for sports fields and homes with pets and children.
While Bermuda grass creates a dense, carpet-like lawn, it’s important to note that it turns brown in the winter, and requires high sun exposure, and frequent mowing and edging to prevent spreading into flower beds.
Pros of Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is ideal for the hot summers, sandy soils and transition zone climate of Virginia Beach, thriving in heat and direct sunlight, and standing up to high foot traffic and weeds.
- Heat & Drought Tolerant – Bermuda grass excels in Virginia Beach’s high temperatures and requires less water than tall fescue grass.
- Self-Repairing – The thick cover of Bermuda grass withstands heavy foot traffic, and its self-repairing capabilities can fill in bare spots and repair damage fast.
- Weed Resistant – The thick, fast-growing nature of Bermuda grass helps suppress weeds better than other grass varieties.
Cons of Bermuda Grass
The biggest drawback to Bermuda grass is that it goes dormant and turns brown in the winter, it also doesn’t perform well in shade, and requires frequent mowing and edging to maintain.
- Turns Brown in Winter – Because it is a warm-season grass, Bermuda grass goes dormant during the cold winters in Virginia Beach, and doesn’t green up until late spring.
- Shade Intolerant – Bermuda grass does not perform well in the shade. It requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.
- High-Maintenance – It’s ability to grow fast and spread quickly means Bermuda grass requires more frequent mowing and edging to keep it out of your flower beds.
Lawn Care Tips for Virginia Beach Bermuda Grass
To keep your Bermuda grass looking and performing its best, the experts at Sean’s Lawns recommend the following lawn care tips for Virginia Beach homeowners.
- Mowing – Because Bermuda grows aggressively in heat, it requires frequent mowing, typically one to two times a week during the peak summer months. For optimal density and performance, grass height should be kept at 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches.
- Watering – Bermuda grass only needs a half inch to an inch of water per week. Rather than watering lightly every day, we recommend watering heavily in the morning once or twice a week, adjusting for rain or extreme heat.
- Fertilizing & Aerating – To support root expansion and promote strong growth, aerate your lawn and apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer in the late spring and early summer.
- Overseeding – To maintain green color throughout the winter months in Virginia Beach, consider overseeding with ryegrass in the fall.
Contact Our Bermuda Grass Experts in Virginia Beach
Bermuda grass lawns are beautiful, but they require a lot of maintenance. If you’re struggling to keep up, Sean’s Lawns can help. We are a family-owned lawn care business in Virginia Beach and your local Bermuda grass expert.
For dependable, affordable mowing, leaf removal and poop scooping services, contact us to request a quote or schedule an appointment for our professional lawn care services in Virginia Beach.