Celebration Bermuda Grass: Pros, Cons, And Maintenance

December 7, 2022 ● Turfs

Do you dream of having a picture-perfect lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood? If so, you may have considered using Celebration Bermuda grass. This type of grass is known for its thick, lush blades that stay green all year long. 

However, before you decide to plant Celebration Bermuda grass, there are a few things you should know. 

In this blog post, we’ll give you an overview of what Celebration Bermuda grass is and how to care for it.

Key Takeaways

  • Celebration Bermuda grass is a wear- and drought-tolerant type of grass that offers excellent performance for homeowners and business owners alike. 
  • It is often used in sports fields, golf courses, and other areas in which excellent drought resistance and wear tolerance are necessary.
  • Celebration Bermuda grass requires regular fertilizing to maintain its lush blue-green color but does not need frequent watering. 

What Is Celebration Bermuda Grass?

Celebration Bermuda grass is a type of hybrid Bermuda grass that was developed in 1987 by the University of Georgia. It’s a cross between common Bermuda grass and Asian varieties of the grass. Celebration Bermuda grass is known for its thick blades, rapid growth, and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. It’s also resistant to many common lawn pests and diseases.

Color 

This grass comes in a deep blue-green shade that holds its beautiful color well throughout the season. It has a fine leaf texture and low seed head formation. It requires moderate levels of mowing and fertilizing. 

Drought Tolerance

Celebration Bermuda grass thrives in hot, humid environments, but is tolerant to somewhat colder weather as well. It handles drought with ease. 

Disease Tolerance

Celebration Bermuda grass is not the most tolerant of pests (it can deal with chinch bugs fairly well but does not hold up well to pressures from fall army worms or sod webworms, in particular).

That said, it has excellent disease tolerance. It is resistant to many common lawn diseases, rarely suffering from issues like gray leaf spot, brown patch, or decline virus. 

Shade Tolerance 

Celebration Bermuda grass grows low and has tough runners, requiring less mowing than other types of grass (particularly other types of Bermuda grass). It grows in many soil and climatic conditions, including in the shade. 

Although Celebration Bermuda grass grows best in full sun, it can be used in partial shade with some success. 

Heat Tolerance 

Celebration Bermuda grass performs best in hot, humid weather but can also tolerate weather that is somewhat cooler.  

Winter Color 

Celebration Bermuda grass goes dormant once soil temperatures drop below 55 degrees. The rest of the year, it remains a dark blue green color. If you overseed with rye grass, as many homeowners choose to do, it will maintain its lush green color year-round.

Recovery from Moderate Wear 

Celebration Bermudagrass performs quite well across a variety of applications. It is often used in the southern United States on college and professional sports venues, on golf courses, and of course, on home lawns. It recovers quite well from moderate and even heavier wear. It has moderate salt tolerance and weed resistance and recovers quickly from damage.

Pros of Choosing Celebration Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass. It grows well in the summer and goes dormant when it’s cold. It’s also relatively tolerant of drought conditions. Once established, Bermuda grass needs very little water to stay healthy. This makes it a good choice for lawns in areas with limited water resources. Bermuda grass is also very tolerant of salt, making it a good choice for lawns near the ocean. 

Another advantage of Bermuda grass is that it grows quickly. This can be beneficial if you have a large area that needs to be covered with grass. However, this rapid growth rate can also be a drawback (more on that later). 

Finally, Bermuda grass is very resilient and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. If you have kids or pets who play on your lawn regularly, Bermuda grass is a good choice because it can stand up to heavy foot traffic without being damaged. 

Cons of Choosing Celebration Bermuda Grass

While there are some definite advantages to planting Celebration Bermuda grass, there are also some drawbacks that you should be aware of before making your decision. 

First of all, as we mentioned earlier, one of the advantages of Celebration Bermuda grass is that it grows quickly. However, this same quality can also be seen as a disadvantage because Bermuda grass can be very difficult to control. If you don’t mow your lawn regularly, the grass can quickly become overgrown. 

Additionally, because Celebration Bermuda grass spreads so readily, it can be difficult to keep it from invading flower beds or other areas where you don’t want it to grow. It has tight runners and deep roots that provide excellent sod strength but can be detrimental when it comes to keeping it under control. 

It grows well in full sun and can tolerate some partial shade but won’t hold its color well in full shade. 

Finally, while Bermuda grass is relatively easy to care for, it does require more maintenance than some other types of grasses. 

For example, Bermudagrass needs to be mowed frequently (about once per week at a height of one to two inches) and it also needs to be fed regularly with fertilizer to keep it a bright blue-green color. 

If you’re not willing or able to put in the extra effort required to care for Celebration Bermuda grass, then you may want to choose another type of grass for your lawn. 

Maintenance Tips for Celebration Bermuda Grass

A well-manicured lawn is the stuff that dreams are made of. The smell of fresh-cut grass, the sound of the blades rustling in the breeze, and the bright green color are all hallmarks of a healthy lawn. 

While it may take some effort to maintain your lawn in pristine condition, it’s well worth it when you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here are some sod maintenance tips to help you achieve the lawn of your dreams.

Watering 

Celebration Bermudagrass only needs about one inch of water per week, even in hot, dry weather. Water for long periods of time but less frequently, ideally first thing in the morning, and be sure to take rainfall into consideration so you don’t overwater the lawn. 

Fertilization 

Feed your Celebration Bermudagrass once a month in the summer, spring, and fall. 

Mowing 

Mow about once per week, removing dormant grass in the spring and bagging up the material to prevent clumping or disease formation. After this first mow, you can cut the grass to one to two inches tall each time you mow. Try not to mow more often than once every three days.

Weeds & Insects

There’s no need to apply herbicides to your lawn during the summer, but if weeds are a problem, you may want to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring (once temperatures are 55 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer). That way, you can prevent weeds like goosegrass and crabgrass from taking hold. 

You can also use insecticides to control spring insects like white grubs, though Celebration Bermudagrass tends to be fairly resistant to insects. 

The Bottom Line

If you live in a warm climate and are looking for a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance type of grass, then Celebration Bermudagrass just might be the right choice for you! Just keep in mind that it does require more frequent mowing and fertilizing than some other types of grasses. 

Now that you know all about Celebration Bermudagrass, head on over to our website to order your seed today!

People Are Also Asking 

What does Celebration Bermuda Grass cost per pallet? 

Prices vary, but on average, Celebration Bermuda grass costs around $150 to $400 per pallet. 

How does Celebration Bermuda Grass compare to Tifway 419?

Celebration Bermuda Grass is a hybrid of several different types of Bermuda grass, and it is known for being particularly resistant to wear and tear. It is often used in golf courses and other high-traffic areas. Tifway 419 is another type of Bermuda grass that is commonly used in athletic fields. It has a very dense growth habit, which makes it difficult for weeds to take root. However, it is not as tolerant of heavy foot traffic as Celebration Bermuda Grass. 

What are the best tools for caring for sod?

When it comes to caring for sod, there are a few essential tools that every homeowner should have. A lawn mower is the most obvious choice, and it’s important to choose one that is the right size for your yard. A reel mower is a good option for smaller yards, while a gas-powered mower is better for larger areas. In addition, you’ll need a garden hose and sprinkler system to keep your sod watered and a rake or leaf blower for clearing away debris.