How to Grow Coastal Bermudagrass
Wikimedia Commons
Coastal Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon var. 'Coastal'
grassCoastal Bermudagrass is a warm-season perennial grass cultivar widely used for pasture, hay, and turf in tropical and subtropical regions. It is a hybrid variety known for its improved forage quality and digestibility compared to common bermudagrass. This dense, fine-textured grass establishes quickly and provides excellent ground cover with high nutritional value for livestock.
When should you plant Coastal Bermudagrass in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Coastal Bermudagrass timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Coastal Bermudagrass
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Coastal Bermudagrass
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Coastal Bermudagrass dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8a-11, with best performance in zones 9-10
Sign up free to see if Coastal Bermudagrass grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Coastal Bermudagrass timeline →Growth Stages
Sprig Establishment
4-8 weeksNewly planted sprigs develop roots and shoots; visible green growth begins within 1-2 weeks in warm conditions
Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Avoid grazing or mowing. Keep soil temperature above 60°F for best results.
Vegetative Growth
8-16 weeksRapid tillering and lateral spread; dense mat formation with fine-textured leaves; rhizomes and stolons expand
Apply light nitrogen fertilizer (40-50 lbs N per acre per month). Mow to 2-3 inches to encourage branching. Ensure adequate water.
Full Cover
Ongoing during growing seasonComplete ground coverage achieved; vigorous shoot production; excellent density for grazing or hay
Maintain fertility program (100-150 lbs N per acre per year). Graze when 4-6 inches tall; mow at 2-3 inches. Rotate grazing pressure.
Flowering (Seed Head)
2-4 weeks in summerSeed heads appear as fine spikes; less common in heavily grazed stands; quality declines as forage becomes more fibrous
For grazing, mow or graze before seed head emergence to maintain forage quality. For seed production, allow flowering.
Dormancy
4-6 months (November-April in most regions)Growth slows dramatically in fall; color changes from green to tan/brown as temperatures drop below 50°F; enters winter rest
Reduce irrigation and fertilizer in fall. Clean up dead material if desired. Grass survives winter in zones 8+; frost kill likely in zone 7 and colder.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Monitor for sudden brown patches. Apply insecticidal soap or use beneficial insects. Mow infested areas and allow regrowth.
-
Maintain good fertility and irrigation to reduce stress. Apply insecticide if populations exceed threshold. Remove thatch.
-
Usually manageable in grazing systems. Apply insecticides only if severe economic damage is likely.
-
Rarely problematic. Improve air circulation and reduce humidity if possible.
-
More common in newly converted pastures. Tolerant in established stands; no specific treatment usually needed.
Uses
Livestock Forage & Pasture
CulinaryCoastal Bermudagrass is a premium forage crop providing high-quality hay and fresh pasture for cattle, horses, and other livestock. Its improved digestibility compared to common bermuda makes it a valuable feed with strong nutritional content. [source]
Dairy & Performance Nutrition
CulinaryThe higher protein and digestible energy content makes Coastal Bermudagrass ideal for dairy cattle and performance horses, supporting milk production and athletic performance. [source]
Turf & Erosion Control
HouseholdIts dense growth habit and aggressive spreading make it excellent for establishing ground cover on slopes and eroded areas, while also serving as turf for athletic fields and general landscaping in warm climates. [source]
Wildlife Habitat
WildlifeDense Coastal Bermudagrass stands provide cover and forage for wildlife including songbirds, small mammals, and game birds, particularly in managed pasture systems with diverse vegetation. [source]
Soil Amendment & Carbon Cycling
HouseholdExtensive root systems and organic matter accumulation improve soil structure, water retention, and carbon sequestration, enhancing long-term pasture productivity and soil health. [source]
Harvest Tips
For grazing: Rotate livestock when grass reaches 4-6 inches; remove before overgrazing to 1.5 inches. For hay: Cut at 4-6 inches height when boot to early head stage (highest digestibility). Dry to 15-20% moisture before baling. Make first cutting in early summer; can achieve 2-4 cuttings per season depending on rainfall and temperature. For seed: Allow flowering and dry seed heads before harvesting (less common in forage production).
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Coastal Bermudagrass was developed at the University of Georgia's Coastal Plain Experiment Station in the 1930s and released commercially in 1945, making it one of the first scientifically improved forage varieties.
- 🌱 Unlike many bermudagrass varieties, Coastal cannot produce viable seed and must be established from vegetative sprigs, rhizomes, or stolons—this sterility actually helps it allocate energy to forage production rather than seed development.
- 🌱 Coastal Bermudagrass has one of the deepest root systems of any grass, with roots extending 6-10 feet deep, allowing it to access water and nutrients far below the surface and making it exceptionally drought-tolerant once established.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Coastal Bermudagrass planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Coastal Bermudagrass seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Coastal Bermudagrass timeline →