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If you apply too much fertilizer to your grass, it can take about three weeks to recover. If you still have dead patches after three weeks, it might be time to remove the dead grass and overseed the affected area. Since overfertilizing can also cause problems with fungus, leading to further damage to the grass, monitor your grass color and growth for one month after over fertilizing.

The best fertilizer for thick Bermuda grass is an organic fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio high in nitrogen, low in phosphorus, and low in potassium. Organic fertilizers help Bermuda grass grow stronger and healthier by retaining water well, supporting microbiome life, and promoting long-term soil health. However, this type of fertilizer is more expensive than synthetic fertilizers. 

One of the best ways to soften your grass and prepare it for planting grass seed is aeration. Aerating your lawn will loosen up compacted soil and facilitate a more even balance of nutrients from root to topsoil. We recommend using core aeration methods for the most effective soil-loosening results.

The best type of fertilizer depends on the type of grass and your desired end result. Generally speaking, slow-release fertilizers are best for grass, as they gradually release nutrients into your soil instead of all at once, which meets the needs of many grass types. However, the tradeoff is that slow-release fertilizers contain phosphorus, which negatively impacts local water quality. Also, some grasses require different formulations to meet the demands of the soil. Test your soil to see how acidic or alkaline it is before choosing a fertilizer.