Soil pH plays a crucial role in the health and growth of your Bermuda grass, as it affects nutrient availability and overall soil conditions. Bermuda grass thrives in soil with a pH range of 5.8 to 7.0. When soil pH deviates from this optimal range, nutrient uptake can become impaired, leading to various growth issues. To address this, you have two main options: adjust the soil pH directly by amending the soil or use foliar applications of liquid or spray treatments to provide essential nutrients directly to the grass leaves. In this article, we’ll focus on adjusting pH, but it is important to know many great lawns bypass pH issues via foliar applications of nitrogen, iron and micros.
As observed above, soil pH can display geographical patterns due to regional factors such as climate, vegetation, and underlying geology. For example, soils in arid regions often have higher pH (alkaline), while those in humid areas may be more acidic. These patterns generally remain consistent unless influenced by external factors like land use changes or soil amendments. If you have no plans to test your soil, then you can make assumptions from this map. Remember, pH meters online don’t work and are a gimmick.
While adjusting pH is a slow process, there are a number of things you can do to amend that pH. Before applying these products, it can be a good idea to aerate to increase penetration into the soil.
Decreasing pH
It’s common in places like Dallas-Fort Worth to have a high pH clay soil.
Ammonium Sulfate: Change your nitrogen source to ammonium sulfate which will help reduce pH.
Elemental Sulfur: Apply 5 lbs per 1,000 sqft of elemental sulfur to your lawn each spring and summer.
Top Dress: Top dress with peat moss (pH 3.0–4.0) or an acidic soil mix. You may need to filter it or mulch with a rotary mower if the mix has debris.
Citric Acid: Dissolve citric acid into a tank sprayer, and apply it to your grass. Irrigate after to wash it into the soil.
Increasing pH
Throughout the South, you’ll find many soils have a high pH.
Avoid Ammonium Sulfate: Use urea as your nitrogen form rather than something that contains ammonium sulfate. Urea has no affect on soil pH whereas ammonium sulfate will decrease it.
Lime: Apply agricultural lime (calcium carbonate) or dolomitic lime (which also adds magnesium) to raise soil pH. The amount needed depends on your current pH level and soil type.
Wood Ash: Sprinkle wood ash over your lawn. It can raise pH and add potassium, though it should be used cautiously as it can affect the soil’s nutrient balance.
Bone Meal: Incorporate bone meal into the soil. It contains calcium and phosphorus and helps to gradually increase soil pH.
Calcium Carbonate: Use calcium carbonate specifically if you need a fast-acting solution to raise pH.
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