Tifway 419 Bermuda Maintenance

The amount and frequency of watering, mowing and fertilizing depends upon the desired appearance of your turfgrass. Guidelines for maintenance procedures are offered below.

Sod Watering

Apply 1/2 to 1 inch of water in a single application about once per week during hot and dry conditions. To promote a deep, durable root system, deep soaking water applications are preferred over short and frequent shallow watering applications. Caution against dry winter freeze.

Sod Mowing

For a high quality appearance keep your grass mowed to a height of 1 1/4 to 3 1/4 inch. Mow regularly with a reel or rotary mower allowing clippings to remain. Irregular mowing practices may result in high build ups of thatch, which will require verticutting, mulching and/or removal. Suggested not removing more than 1 1/3” of the leaf growth during a single mowing.

Sod Fertilizing

Apply 112 to one pound per 1000 SF of a full analysis fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, such as 28-13-13 in mid-April and 9-24-24 in mid-September. To maintain a deep green color, nitrogen may be applied monthly at a rate of 1 lbs. per 1000 SF May thru August. S & K suggest obtaining a soil test for specific fertilizer requirements.

Weed Control

Weed growth competes with turfgrass growth. Good maintenance practices help eliminate weed problems. However, it may be necessary even under the best of care, to apply herbicides to maintain weed free turfgrass. Contact your local County Extension agent or herbicide dealer for recommendations for your type turfgrass.

Shade Tolerance

Has high light requirement-requires full sunlight most of day. Tifway 419 should not be used in shady areas.

Heat/Cold Tolerance

Tifway 419 has an excellent heat tolerance and is not as cold tolerant as other turf type Bermuda’s.

Sod Dormancy

Tifway 419 enters a dormant stage in winter months. It stops growing when temperatures drop below 50 F for sustained period and it turns a tan winter color. It requires 65 F ground temperature for significant growth. It has a slightly slower green-up in spring than other turf type Bermudas.

Sod Water Requirements

Tifway 419 will tolerate sustained periods of drought if well established, however, it responds well to irrigation during dry conditions.

Wear Resistance-Recovery

Tifway 419 has very good wear resistance and will withstand heavy traffic.