• In Texas, Bermudagrass is a desirable lawn and turf grass. It is fine textured and spreads aggressively from the root system, or rhizomes, and overground by runners, or stolons. There are two types of Bermudagrass planted in Texas: the Common Bermudagrass that is grown from seed, and the hybrid varieties that are grown from planted sprigs, sod or stolons.
  
  

Planting Bermudagrass Seed

• Bermudagrass seed can be planted anytime during the year, as long as sufficient irrigation is provided. In the spring and summer, hulled seed is planted in Texas because it germinates faster, and in the fall and winter unhulled seed is planted. The "hull" is the protective outer coat that grows naturally on the grass seed to protect it from rot and cold temperatures. Bermudagrass seed planting in the fall or winter should not need additional irrigation. Ideally, the seed should be planted in the spring when soil temperature is below 68 F. The seed germinates, or sprouts, best when temperatures are between 68 and 75 degrees F. Plant one pound of seed for each 1,000 square feet.
  
  Good soil contact with the seed is important when planting Bermuda Grass seed in Texas. Therefore, all weeds and undesirable vegetation must be removed before planting. Seed can be broadcast, then rolled over with a roller or other heavy object to provide soil-seed contact, or planted mechanically 1/4 inch deep. Keep planting area moist for three weeks to encourage uniform sprouting of the seed.
  
  

Planting Bermudagrass Sod

• Bermudagrass sod is planted in the spring in Texas two weeks after the average last frost date for the area where it is planted. Good soil to sod contact is important for good growth, so removal of all vegetation before placing sod is important. Do not add fertilizer to the soil before planting sod, as high nitrogen fertilizer will damage the roots of the new Bermudagrass.
  
  Be sure there is no delay between the arrival of the sod and the planting period. Damp sod begins to rot quickly while it is stacked on pallets waiting to be placed over the ground.
  
  

Planting Bermudagrass Sprigs and Stolons

• Sprigs and stolons are harvested from the portion of the Bermudagrass that grows above ground. Once they are harvested, they are piled in trucks or containers. They begin to deteriorate rapidly, so planting should be done as soon as possible after they arrive at the planting site, which should be early springtime.
  
  The soil should be cleared of any vegetation that will interfere with the sprigs or stolons having contact with the soil. The ideal temperature for planting Bermudagrass sprigs or stolons is below 68 degrees F with a warming trend. The sprigs or stolons are broadcast over the soil and pressed into the soil using a mechanical device such as a heavy roller.