Selecting the right fertilizer ratio for Bermudagrass ensures the grass receives the optimal balance of nutrients needed for its growth, health, and resilience. Bermudagrass, known for its dense, green, and durable turf, requires higher nitrogen levels for vigorous leaf growth and color enhancement, but also benefits from phosphorus and potassium for root development and stress tolerance. The correct ratio supports efficient nutrient uptake, prevents nutrient imbalances or deficiencies, and contributes to the overall aesthetics and strength of the lawn. In this article, we’ll look at some different ratios and when you might apply each.
Fertilization Schedule
Each month, your nutrient requirements will change. Assuming you haven’t applied anything in a while, you can do a soil test to direct you, or if you’re looking for a less-effort method, you can follow a calendar like this.
| Month | Primary Nutrient Emphasis | Example Fertilizer Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| January | Dormant – Minimal | – |
| February | Dormant – Minimal | – |
| March | Pre-Growth – Nitrogen emphasis | 46-0-0 |
| April | Growth – High Nitrogen | 46-0-0 |
| May | Growth – High Nitrogen | 46-0-0 |
| June | Maintenance – Balanced NPK | 14-14-14 |
| July | Maintenance – Balanced NPK | 14-14-14 |
| August | Maintenance – Balanced NPK | 14-14-14 |
| September | Pre-Dormancy – Potassium emphasis | 0-0-50 |
| October | Dormancy Preparation – Reduced Nitrogen | – |
| November | Dormant – Minimal | – |
| December | Dormant – Minimal | – |
Fertilizer Ratio Options
There are plenty of options for each need. Many will buy whatever is cheapest while other still stick to a brand they love like Andersons or Yard Mastery. Personally, my lawn doesn’t care if it gets Gucci or Fruit of the Loom. What’s more important is applying the right blends, at the right time, in the right quantities.
| Primary Nutrient Emphasis | Fertilizer Ratios |
|---|---|
| High Nitrogen | 46-0-0, 44-0-0, 32-0-3, 32-0-8, 32-0-10, 24-0-11, 24-0-12, 24-2-11, 21-0-0, 20-0-0, 18-0-3, 16-0-8, 16-4-8, 15-0-0, 15.5-0-0, 12-0-0, 10-0-0, 6-0-0, 5-0-0, 3-0-0 |
| Balanced N-P-K | 20-20-20, 19-19-19, 16-16-16, 15-15-15, 14-14-14, 13-13-13, 12-12-12, 11-22-22, 10-20-20, 10-20-10, 9-9-9, 8-10-10, 7-7-7 |
| High Potassium | 0-0-60, 0-0-62, 0-0-50, 18-0-18, 15-0-30, 13-0-13, 14-0-14, 20-0-25, 21-0-21, 18-2-18, 0-0-24, 0-0-22, 0-0-20 |
| High Phosphorus | 18-24-12 |
| Specialty Formulations / Others | 0-0-6, 1-0-0, 10-0-20, 10-6-4, 12-0-4, 12-2-0, 12-2-14, 12-8-8, 13-0-6, 13-2-13, 13-3-13, 14-0-14, 14-2-14, 14-20-4, 14-4-8, 15-0-15, 15-0-5, 15-0-8, 15-3-7, 17-17-17, 18-3-18, 18-3-6, 19-0-19, 19-0-8, 20-0-10, 20-0-20, 20-1-5, 20-10-10, 20-10-5, 20-2-10, 20-2-3, 20-5-10, 21-4-11, 21-5-6, 22-5-10, 24-0-4, 24-5-11, 25-0-6, 27-0-0, 28-2-3, 28-3-10, 30-0-10, 33-0-17, 33-0-3 |
My Favorite Blends
I browse Lowe’s and Home Depot garden centers whenever I find myself getting something at the store. Often times around October-March, you will find fertilizer on deep discount. I mean $20-50 bags on sale for $5-10. So I grab whatever is on sale, hoping I can use it.
21-0-0
21-0-0 is ammonium sulfate. It doesn’t just add nitrogen but it also lowers pH, which can be very helpful if your soil high a pH over 7 which is very common in North Texas. 46-0-0 is also very common and obviously more concentrated. Both 46-0-0 (urea) and 21-0-0 (ammonium sulfate) fertilizers can affect soil pH, with urea having a slight acidifying effect and ammonium sulfate being more strongly acidifying due to their nitrogen forms influencing soil acidity differently upon conversion to nitrates.
13-13-13
This is 13% nitrogen by weight. 10-10-10 is good too, but often times as you go up, the price per pound of nitrogen gets better. After spring, I’m often putting down a balanced fertilizer every other month. If I put down 1 pound of nitrogen in August, it’ll be half ammonium sulfate and half balanced.
6-4-0
6-4-0 is Milorganite. The price is a bit silly these days but organic is great for beginners because it doesn’t burn. I like to use this occasionally when I’m not using the two synthetic options above.
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