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The best fertilizer for Bermuda grass for most home lawns is The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8: it mixes quick- and slow-release nitrogen, feeds for up to 8 weeks per the label, and keeps a 4-1-2 balance that fits a lawn that hasn’t been soil tested. But Bermuda eats more nitrogen than most home lawn grasses, and what you spread in May is the wrong thing to spread in September. So below, each pick is matched to the part of the season where it does its job.
One timing note, since it’s late October as we publish this: in most of the Bermuda belt the grass is heading into dormancy, and extension guidance says no more nitrogen now. The only product here that belongs on a Bermuda lawn this late is potash, and only if your soil test or a history of spring dead spot calls for it.
How we chose
We didn’t test these on a lawn. We started from the Bermudagrass feeding calendar published by NC State Extension, which tells you how much actual nitrogen Bermuda needs and when. Then we looked for products whose label rate lands close to those numbers, and checked each manufacturer label or Amazon listing for the analysis, bag coverage and owner feedback. Ratings are quoted only where we saw them on a listing, with the date.
The key number is pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per application. Bag weight and “covers 5,000 sq ft” don’t tell you that on their own, so we did the math for each product: bag weight × nitrogen % ÷ coverage in thousands of square feet.
What Bermuda grass actually needs
NC State’s Bermudagrass Lawn Maintenance Calendar gives the shape of the season:
- Spring (after full green-up, usually April-May): ½ to 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft, several weeks after the lawn is fully green.
- Summer (June-August): 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft every four to six weeks.
- Fall: no more than ½ lb N in September, or four weeks before the first expected frost. Use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium product, or add about 1 lb of potash (K2O) per 1,000 sq ft four to six weeks before frost.
Add those up and a Bermuda lawn gets roughly 2.5 to 4.5 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft over a season, split into four or five feedings. That fall rule exists because late, heavy nitrogen is linked to spring dead spot, the circular dead patches that show up as Bermuda wakes up. NC State lists excess nitrogen and potassium deficiency among the conditions that encourage it.
Comparison table
| Product | Analysis (N-P-K) | Label coverage | Actual N per 1,000 sq ft per pass | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Andersons PGF Complete | 16-4-8 | 18 lb bag / 5,000 sq ft | about 0.58 lb | Spring and summer |
| Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food | 32-0-10 | 14.06 lb bag / 5,000 sq ft | about 0.90 lb | Summer push |
| Milorganite | 6-4-0 | 32 lb bag / 2,500 sq ft | about 0.77 lb | Spring and early fall |
| Greenway Biotech Ammonium Sulfate | 21-0-0 | You set the rate | 1 lb N = about 4.8 lb product | Summer, alkaline soil |
| Cz Garden Supply Muriate of Potash | 0-0-60 | You set the rate | 0 N; about 1 lb K2O from ~1.7 lb product | Fall, before frost |
Nitrogen math uses the label analysis and coverage; potash math uses the 60% K2O analysis. Sources are listed at the end.
1. The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8: best all-season pick
At the label coverage (18 lb over 5,000 sq ft, or 3.6 lb per 1,000), this puts down a little over half a pound of nitrogen, right in NC State’s spring range. In summer you can repeat it every four to six weeks. The Andersons’ label says it combines quick- and slow-release nitrogen (urea plus methylene ureas), feeds for up to 8 weeks, and contains 7% humic acid plus iron and other micronutrients. The granules are “DG” particles that break apart when watered, and the label asks for at least 0.2 inches of water after spreading.
Who it’s for: anyone without a soil test who wants one bag to cover spring and summer feedings.
Who should skip it: owners pushing a short-cut, high-traffic Bermuda lawn hard. At about 0.58 lb N per pass you’ll need more passes than with a higher-nitrogen product.
Pros
- Label rate lands inside the extension spring range without any math on your part.
- Mix of fast and slow nitrogen means color shows without a big growth spike.
- Fine particles spread evenly; per the label, they disperse into the soil once watered.
- 4.6/5 from 6,200+ Amazon ratings (Oct 2026).
Cons
- Contains phosphorus (the 4). If your soil test shows high P, a P-free product is the cleaner choice.
- Needs watering in to activate, which is a problem in a drought or under watering restrictions.
2. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food 32-0-10: best for the summer push
Scotts lists this as a 32-0-10 formula for Southern lawns, with Bermudagrass among the grasses named on the listing, and one 14.06 lb bag covering 5,000 sq ft. That works out to about 0.9 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, close to NC State’s 1 lb summer feeding. The 10% potash is a bonus heading into the hot months, and there’s no phosphorus.
Who it’s for: established Bermuda lawns in June through August, when the grass grows fastest and can use a full pound of nitrogen per feeding.
Who should skip it: anyone feeding in early spring or September. Close to a pound of nitrogen per pass is more than the calendar calls for at either end of the season.
Pros
- Highest nitrogen per pass on this list, so fewer bags for a big summer feeding.
- Phosphorus-free.
- Amazon’s review summary says buyers report darker, thicker grass and that it works well on Bermuda (Oct 2026).
- 4.4/5 from 1,594 Home Depot ratings for the same 5,000 sq ft bag (Oct 2026).
Cons
- Several Amazon buyers report clumps in the bag, which can clog a spreader.
- Too strong for fall use on Bermuda; easy to over-apply if you double back with the spreader.
- Opinions on value are split in the reviews.
3. Milorganite 6-4-0: best slow-release and organic option
Milorganite is heat-dried biosolids, so its nitrogen releases as soil microbes break it down. The Amazon listing says it feeds for 8 to 10 weeks and doesn’t need watering in. Milorganite’s own schedule for southern warm-season grasses (Bermuda included) is four feedings: around Easter after the turf breaks dormancy, Memorial Day, Labor Day and early October, each at 32 lb per 2,500 sq ft. That’s about 0.77 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft each time.
One conflict to know about: that early-October feeding runs against NC State’s advice to stop nitrogen four weeks before frost on Bermuda. If spring dead spot is a problem in your area, end with the Labor Day feeding.
Who it’s for: owners who want slow, low-burn feeding, or who fertilize right before a dry spell and can’t water.
Who should skip it: large lawns. At 32 lb per 2,500 sq ft you’d haul four bags per feeding on a 10,000 sq ft yard.
Pros
- Slow release, so the lawn greens without a surge of top growth.
- No watering in needed, per the listing.
- Lines up with spring Bermuda rates out of the bag.
Cons
- Heavy: the most pounds of product per pound of nitrogen on this list.
- Microbe-driven release means it works slowly in cool soil, so early-spring results lag.
- Milorganite limits use in some states (for example, two applications per year in Florida and Maryland), so check local rules.
4. Greenway Biotech Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0: best for alkaline soil
Ammonium sulfate is a common pick for Bermuda in high-pH soil (typical in Texas and much of the Southwest). The Greenway listing gives 21% water-soluble nitrogen plus 24% sulfur and pitches it for lowering pH in alkaline soil. The 25 lb bag is the size that makes sense for a lawn.
You set the rate yourself. To put down 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, spread about 4.8 lb of product (1 ÷ 0.21). For a ½ lb spring feeding, use about 2.4 lb. Because all of the nitrogen is quick-release, water it in right away. Clemson notes that quick-release nitrogen should be irrigated after application to reduce burn.
On spring dead spot: University of Missouri Extension notes that lower soil pH lessens it and suggests monthly ammonium sulfate (1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft) from June to August. NC State adds a caution: newer research shows the different spring dead spot fungi respond differently to nitrogen source, so treat ammonium sulfate as a possible help, not a cure.
Who it’s for: experienced lawn owners with alkaline soil and a spreader they’ve calibrated.
Who should skip it: lawns whose soil test already shows acidic soil, and anyone who wants a set-and-forget bag rate.
Pros
- Nitrogen and sulfur only, so you add potash separately and only when you need it.
- Acidifies over time, which helps on high-pH soil.
- 4.6/5 from 414 Amazon ratings (Oct 2026).
Cons
- Quick-release only: burns if over-applied or left unwatered in heat.
- No lawn spreader settings on the listing; you calibrate by weight.
5. Cz Garden Supply Muriate of Potash 0-0-60: the fall potassium feed
This is the product most Bermuda lists leave out, and it’s the one NC State asks for in fall. Muriate of potash is 60% K2O and has no nitrogen. NC State’s calendar calls for about 1 lb of potash per 1,000 sq ft four to six weeks before the expected first frost, using roughly 1½ pounds of muriate of potash (0-0-60) per 1,000 sq ft. By the 60% analysis, exactly 1 lb of K2O takes about 1.7 lb.
Who it’s for: Bermuda lawns with low potassium on a soil test, or with a history of spring dead spot.
Who should skip it: lawns whose soil test shows plenty of potassium. Extra potash doesn’t buy you anything.
Pros
- Lets you feed potassium in fall without adding nitrogen.
- Concentrated, so you spread less than 2 lb per 1,000 sq ft.
- 4.7/5 from 986 Amazon ratings (Oct 2026).
Cons
- It’s a chloride salt. Sulfate of potash (0-0-50) is the alternative, but it takes more product for the same potash (NC State: about 2 lb per 1,000 sq ft).
- The listing is sold for gardens in general, so there are no lawn spreader settings.
A season plan for a 5,000 sq ft Bermuda lawn
Here’s how the five products fit the NC State calendar. Adjust dates to your own green-up and first-frost dates.
- Late April to May (after full green-up): one bag of Andersons PGF Complete (≈0.58 lb N/1,000) or two bags of Milorganite (≈0.77 lb N/1,000).
- June, July, August: one bag of Scotts Southern Lawn Food (≈0.9 lb N/1,000) every four to six weeks, or ammonium sulfate at about 24 lb of product per feeding if your soil is alkaline.
- September: no more than ½ lb N per 1,000 sq ft, and none within four weeks of frost.
- Four to six weeks before first frost: about 7.5 lb of muriate of potash across the lawn (1½ lb per 1,000 sq ft), if a soil test or spring dead spot history calls for it.
Three summer feedings at ~0.9 lb plus one spring feeding at ~0.6 lb comes to about 3.3 lb of nitrogen for the year, inside the range the NC State calendar adds up to. On a lower-maintenance lawn, two summer feedings are enough.
How to pick the right Bermuda fertilizer
Start with a soil test. NC State points you to a soil test before liming. It’s also the only way to know whether you need the P in a 16-4-8 or the potash in the fall.
Read the first number, then do the math. A 32-0-10 bag and a 6-4-0 bag can both look like “one feeding,” but they put down very different amounts of nitrogen. Divide your target (say 1 lb N) by the nitrogen % to get pounds of product per 1,000 sq ft. Rutgers Extension uses the same method: for 2 lb N from a 20% product, apply 10 lb per 1,000 sq ft.
Match release speed to your watering. Quick-release sources like ammonium sulfate need watering in and burn if you overdo them. Slow-release sources (Milorganite, the methylene urea in PGF Complete) are more forgiving if you can’t irrigate.
Stop nitrogen early. Bermuda that goes into winter with soft new growth is more exposed to spring dead spot. The last nitrogen feeding goes down at least four weeks before your average first frost.
If your lawn is a different warm-season grass, the numbers change: see our guides to fertilizers for St. Augustine grass and fertilizers for centipede grass. For mowing, watering and the rest of the routine, our lawn care tips and lawn dressings guide cover the basics.
FAQ
What NPK ratio is best for Bermuda grass?
Without a soil test, a ratio near 4-1-2 (like 16-4-8) is a safe default for spring and summer. In fall, switch to low nitrogen and high potassium; NC State gives 5-10-30 as an example. If your soil test shows enough phosphorus, a P-free product like 32-0-10 works for summer.
How often should you fertilize Bermuda grass?
NC State’s calendar calls for a spring feeding after green-up, then 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft every four to six weeks from June through August, with a light or potassium-only feeding in fall.
Can you fertilize Bermuda grass in October?
Nitrogen, generally no. NC State says no more than ½ lb N in September and none within four weeks of the first expected frost. Potash four to six weeks before frost is fine if a soil test or spring dead spot history calls for it.
Is Milorganite good for Bermuda grass?
Yes, as a slow-release base. At the bag rate it puts down about 0.77 lb N per 1,000 sq ft, which matches spring guidance. For summer, it takes a lot of product to reach a full pound of nitrogen, so many owners pair it with a higher-nitrogen bag.
Is ammonium sulfate good for Bermuda grass?
On alkaline soil it’s a common choice because it lowers pH over time, and University of Missouri Extension links lower pH to less spring dead spot. Water it in right after spreading, and skip it on soil that’s already acidic.
Sources
All checked 2026-10-27.
- NC State Extension, Bermudagrass Lawn Maintenance Calendar: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/bermudagrass-lawn-maintenance-calendar (seasonal N rates, fall potash rates, frost timing, soil test)
- NC State Extension, Spring Dead Spot in Turf: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/spring-dead-spot-in-turf (risk factors, nitrogen source research)
- Clemson HGIC, Controlling Thatch in Lawns: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/controlling-thatch-in-lawns (irrigate after quick-release N)
- University of Missouri Extension, IPM1029 p. 19: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/ipm1029/19 (ammonium sulfate, pH and spring dead spot)
- Rutgers NJAES, FS839: https://extension.rutgers.edu/fs839 (fertilizer rate calculation)
- The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 label (18 lb, 5,000 sq ft): https://assets.theandersons.com/asset/06649983-6b6d-4df9-b13c-ab3f8cc09458/pgf-complete-16-4-8-fertilizer-label-pdf.pdf (analysis, nitrogen sources, humic acid, 8-week feeding, watering in)
- ScottsMiracle-Gro, Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food: https://scottsmiraclegro.com/en-us/brands/scotts/products/fertilizer/scotts-turf-builder-southern-lawn-food/23405B.html (32-0-10, 5,000 sq ft)
- Home Depot listing, Scotts Turf Builder Southern 14.06 lb: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotts-Turf-Builder-14-06-lbs-5-000-sq-ft-Southern-Dry-Lawn-Fertilizer-for-Southern-Grass-23405B/100619059 (rating and count)
- Milorganite, Rates and Schedule: https://milorganite.com/what-is-milorganite/rates-and-schedule (southern schedule, 32 lb per 2,500 sq ft, state limits)
- Amazon listing ASIN B09TLBRQBK (Andersons rating and count)
- Amazon listing ASIN B000FBMI36 (Scotts Southern grass list, customer review summary)
- Amazon listing ASIN B0FGDRCSWX (Milorganite 8-10 week feeding, no watering in)
- Amazon listing ASIN B00CTWSJ00 (ammonium sulfate analysis, sulfur, rating and count)
- Amazon listing ASIN B07ND1JD6P (muriate of potash rating and count)
- Owner notes / photos: none