Frequently Asked Questions

Bermuda grass in Garner should be maintained between 1 and 2.5 inches, depending on the variety. Common Bermuda does well at 1.5 to 2.5 inches, while hybrid varieties like Tifway 419 can be maintained lower with a reel mower. The key is consistency — we never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single cut. During peak summer growth, that often means mowing more than once per week.

In Garner and the NC Piedmont, Bermuda grass should be fertilized from May through September. The first application should come several weeks after the lawn has fully greened up — usually by early May. Monthly nitrogen applications continue through mid-August, with a final fall application in September. NC State Extension recommends half to one pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet per application for Bermuda in the Piedmont.

The spring pre-emergent window in Garner typically opens in late February to early March, when soil temperatures approach 55 degrees — the point at which crabgrass begins to germinate. A second fall pre-emergent application in September targets winter annual weeds. Two rounds per year provides the most comprehensive weed prevention for Bermuda lawns in Wake County.

Bermuda grass actually performs quite well on the Cecil clay soils common throughout Garner and Wake County. Its aggressive root system can penetrate clay over time, especially when you incorporate annual core aeration to relieve compaction. Clay holds nutrients well, which benefits Bermuda's heavy nitrogen demands. The main challenge is drainage — clay can hold too much water after heavy rain, but Bermuda's tolerance for a range of conditions makes it a strong fit.

Bermuda grass needs about one inch of water per week during the active growing season. In Garner, NC, supplemental irrigation is most important from June through August. We recommend watering deeply and infrequently — two to three long sessions per week rather than daily short runs. This encourages deep root growth, which is what makes Bermuda so drought-tolerant compared to cool-season grasses like fescue.

In Garner, Bermuda grass typically enters dormancy in late October to November when soil temperatures drop below 50 degrees. The lawn turns brown and remains dormant through the winter. It greens up again in mid-to-late April as soil temperatures rise consistently above 55 degrees. Dormancy is completely normal and healthy — it is not dying, just resting.

Yes. Spring scalping is one of the most important annual maintenance events for a Bermuda lawn in Garner. By lowering the mowing height and removing dormant top growth in late March to early April, you expose the soil to sunlight and warm it faster — which accelerates green-up. Scalping also removes dead material that can harbor fungal issues. Timing should be based on soil temperature, not the calendar.

Garner's summers are simply too hot and long for tall fescue to thrive without heavy intervention. Fescue goes dormant or dies in July and August heat, requires annual overseeding, and is susceptible to brown patch disease. Bermuda grass peaks during the hottest months, recovers from drought quickly, and spreads to fill bare spots on its own. For overall turf performance and lower long-term cost, Bermuda wins in the Garner climate.

Bermuda grass needs full sun — a minimum of 7 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It does not perform well in shade. If your property in Garner has significant tree cover, you may see thin or bare areas under the canopy. In those cases, selective tree trimming to increase light exposure may help, or a shade-tolerant alternative for those specific areas may be a better fit.