Question
I live in a tropical country and about two months ago planted Bermuda grass seeds in a effort to establish a lawn.  It has grown, but doesn't look quite healthy. I mowed it only once since, because it hadn't grown that high.  I feed it Miracle Gro all purpose plant food once a week.  The grass doesnt look as green as I believe it should be.  From the root to about an inch high has what seems like dead grass blades and above that is somewhat green.  I have areas that doesnt seem to be growing that well at all.  I pay alot of attention to this grass and give it all that I believe it should receive, but it still isn't greening up.  PLease tell me what to do to get it green and thick and growing faster

Answer
Someone with your name should know better than to plant a Lawn without doing a Soil Test first.  Tsk, tsk, Rose!

I understand why you did this.  Seems we have to hit people over the head with this information before they pay attention.  Now, if Scotts was selling Soil Tests, you just know everyone on the planet would be running them quarterly and sending them in.  They'd be talking about the Cation Exchange Rate at the gas pump, on line at the supermarket, between hockey games.  But Scotts isn't into the Soil Testing business.  Anybody listening there at Scotts?  Do you hear me?

Most people look to Scotts for their entire Lawn Care education.  You're in good company, Rose.  But Rose, your mama gave you that name because she had a Green Thumb.  You are tackling a Lawn without doing what your mama wanted.  Your poor Bermudagrass is suffering because of it.  No matter how much attention you give it, you do not have the INFORMATION you need to help it grow.  Because you did not find that out before you planted it!

That's why we do Soil Tests.

Most people skip that step.  Sometimes they get lucky and the Soil turns out to be perfect (no thanks to them).  It's like winning the lottery.  You don't want to grow your Grass the same way you play BINGO.  You don't want to do this the way you would bet on a horse you'd never heard of.  Right?

Tell me where you are on the Planet Earth, Rose, and we'll figure out where to get your Soil tested.  It's CHEAP, Rose, and it's the SMARTEST thing you can do for your Grass.  No, not a home soil test.  A Soil Test done by a scientist who does these a thousand times  month in a laboratory.  Quic, easy, inexpensive -- less than a tank of Gas in New York.  Actually, at today's Gas prices, I can get 2 soil tests for the cost of a tank of gas.  But that's another subject.

rsvp Rose -- together we will get your Bermudagrass up and running.  Thanks for writing.