Many, many soils already have adequate P levels. Many states have either limited P or banned it altogether. Too much P is actually harmful, binding up iron and other trace micros, then running off into lakes and streams where it adds to algae blooms. Unless a soil test shows a need for P, there's really no need for it except, perhaps as a starter fert.
K levels in soils are often adequate also.
But N is the limiting factor in plant growth, and as you've noted, bermuda consumes N like there's no tomorrow. When adequate levels of P and K are already in the soil, there's really no real need for additional. HOWEVER . . .
Bermuda roots have a big dieback as they emerge out of dormancy. For that reason alone, I like my early fert rounds to have a lot of K for vascular strength and root elongation. K helps bermuda deal with stress at both ends of the climate extremes. K also helps in alleviating suseptibilty to disease, leaf spot diseases in particular. I've gotten rid of helminthosporium infested lawns, just by going with a 1-0-1 ratio fert.
Bermuda responds to all N, organic or not. But regarding reducing N on a bermuda lawn, I'll take Mikey's brother's approach: "I'm not gonna try it. YOU try it." I see way, way too may lawns where the homeowner can't understand why the lawn is brown after Memorial Day. "Geez, I put a fertilizer down right when it greened up. It should be fine."
I have a big mouth neighbor of a customer that keeps telling my customer, "You should only need to fertilize twice a year. Early spring and late fall." His lawn looks like crap.
K levels in soils are often adequate also.
But N is the limiting factor in plant growth, and as you've noted, bermuda consumes N like there's no tomorrow. When adequate levels of P and K are already in the soil, there's really no real need for additional. HOWEVER . . .
Bermuda roots have a big dieback as they emerge out of dormancy. For that reason alone, I like my early fert rounds to have a lot of K for vascular strength and root elongation. K helps bermuda deal with stress at both ends of the climate extremes. K also helps in alleviating suseptibilty to disease, leaf spot diseases in particular. I've gotten rid of helminthosporium infested lawns, just by going with a 1-0-1 ratio fert.
Bermuda responds to all N, organic or not. But regarding reducing N on a bermuda lawn, I'll take Mikey's brother's approach: "I'm not gonna try it. YOU try it." I see way, way too may lawns where the homeowner can't understand why the lawn is brown after Memorial Day. "Geez, I put a fertilizer down right when it greened up. It should be fine."
I have a big mouth neighbor of a customer that keeps telling my customer, "You should only need to fertilize twice a year. Early spring and late fall." His lawn looks like crap.
