Bermudagrass Winter Care Tips

Bermudagrass is a type of warm-season turfgrass that can be found in many parts of the Southern United States, as well as in certain transitional zones. This thick grass has numerous positive characteristics such as a pleasing medium-fine texture, fast establishment and growth, and great resistance to heat and drought.

Although Bermudagrass lawns thrive in warm, dry climates, they may become dormant during the winter when temperatures decrease, even though they have a high heat tolerance. Some individuals who own lawns may be concerned that a brown lawn signifies that the grass has perished; however, a dormant Bermudagrass lawn is actually just saving its energy until the arrival of warmer temperatures. In this article, we will provide advice on maintaining Bermudagrass in the fall, describe how to prepare a Bermudagrass lawn for winter, and share tips for keeping your lawn healthy and thriving during the summer.

When does Bermudagrass enter a dormant state?

While they may seem alike initially, dormancy and death have distinct differences. Although your lawn may turn brown during dormancy, it is a natural phase in the grass' life cycle and will not have a lasting negative impact on your grass. Dormancy sets in for Bermudagrass during the winter months when soil and air temperatures start to decrease. Once nighttime air temperatures consistently reach 60°F and soil temperatures at a depth of four inches surpass 65°F, your lawn will start to turn green again. The timing of this event will vary based on where you are and the weather in your area.

If you live in an area where winter temperatures frequently fall below 10°F, it is likely that your Bermudagrass will suffer from winter damage. In these regions, you might want to think about planting cold-season grass instead, which can survive the colder weather.

How to Winterize Bermudagrass

People who own Bermudagrass lawns often want to learn about strategies for maintaining green Bermudagrass during the winter months. Regrettably, when the weather turns cold, your lawn will go into dormancy and start to change color to brown. Nevertheless, once spring arrives with higher temperatures, the surroundings will become green again in a short amount of time.

Dormancy in warm-season grasses during winter is comparable to hibernation, a time of inactivity that aids in preserving stored energy and resources. Consequently, the green color chlorophyll in plant leaves fades and they change to a brown hue.

Preparing Bermudagrass for winter can guarantee that your lawn will be in excellent condition to grow lush, sturdy, thriving, and vibrant during spring and summer. Below are a few actions you can take to safeguard your lawn during the winter season:

Fertilize in the early fall

In order to minimize the risk of winter damage, make sure to fertilize your Bermudagrass lawn with a potassium-rich fertilizer in early autumn before it goes dormant. Potassium contributes to the development of strong roots and also aids in the process of toughening the grass before it goes dormant, reducing the likelihood of winter damage. Next, the fertilization service in the spring should give your lawn nitrogen to kickstart the process of turning green. Rely on us specialists to handle the uncertainty and provide your lawn with the necessary nutrients at the right time according to its specific requirements.

Mow

Curious about the ideal height to mow Bermudagrass before winter arrives? Typically, it is recommended to mow a Bermudagrass lawn to a height of about one and a half inches, although it can be left slightly taller during the winter months. Regardless of the time of year, it's important to ensure your Bermudagrass yard stays below 2.5 inches in height and avoid trimming more than one-third of the leaf blade in one go.

Adjust watering during dormancy

During the transition from fall to winter, your lawn will become dormant, resulting in decreased growth that requires less watering for the grass plants. Make sure to continue watering your lawn regularly until you start seeing your grass turning brown. Once the grass is completely dormant, watering is only necessary during prolonged dry spells. In the absence of natural rainfall, dormant lawns should be given approximately 1 inch of water every 4 weeks to stay healthy.

Should I overseed Bermudagrass during winter?

Overseeding a dormant Bermuda grass lawn is a method to maintain a green lawn while it is dormant, by planting cool-season grass temporarily. There are advantages and disadvantages to seeding your Bermudagrass lawn. Letting your lawn become dormant will result in less water and maintenance, whereas overseeding will need ongoing care to keep the lawn healthy. Furthermore, it is not possible to apply fall pre-emergent weed control while overseeding, making your lawn vulnerable to winter annual weeds like annual bluegrass (Poa annua). If you opt for the dormancy period, anticipate your Bermudagrass turning brown from roughly November through February, with the possibility of variations depending on weather, location, and grass condition.

Let Live Love Lawn Maintain Your Lawn

If you are uncertain about how to maintain your lawn throughout the different seasons, or if you are unsure about the type of grass in your yard, we can offer assistance. Our expert can develop a custom plan using grass type and weather conditions to provide your lawn with what it requires to thrive.