Q: I have a puppy and would like to get a lawn maintenance schedule that won’t hurt him. What do you recommend for bermuda grass?

A: The best weed control is making the bermuda so vigorous that it out-competes weeds, thereby minimizing the use of weed killers. An organic fertilizer like Milorganite works very well if applied regularly. Pay good attention to fertilizing and to summertime watering, if needed, each year. Don’t expect bermudagrass to do very well in shade: use mulch or shade-loving plants to landscape under trees. I have a set of lawn calendars for all Georgia lawns at bit.ly/lawncalendars.