Why You Shouldn't Fertilize Bermuda Grass in Winter

Q: My lawn company wants to apply urea fertilizer to my bermuda lawn in January. Isn't this too early?

UGA turf expert Clint Waltz says:

It's best to withhold any nitrogen application to warm-season turfgrass species until soil temperatures at the 4-inch depth are consistently 65°F and rising. This recommendation is both agronomically and economically sound.

More complex forms of urea (e.g., IBDU, sulfur-coated urea, other long-chain forms) persist longer in cold soils than straight urea. The soil enzyme urease breaks down urea, and this reaction is less temperature-dependent than microbial processes. Urea hydrolysis proceeds rapidly in warm, moist soils, converting most urea to ammonium within several days.

During periodic winter warm spells, any straight urea applied would be quickly lost. Minimal uptake occurs if soil temperatures aren't conducive to root growth. Fertilizing in late winter or early spring could do more harm than good by stimulating premature growth.

Check your soil temperature