A year in the life of bermudagrass

By Dani Sheehan. 

Use this seasonal care calendar to help bermudagrass withstand Southern weather and deliver a lush, durable lawn. 

Bermudagrass is the most popular turf choice in Arkansas and across much of the Southeastern U.S., and for good reason. It thrives in hot, humid summers, recovers quickly from heavy foot traffic and stands up to drought better than many other turf options. If it’s not a turfgrass you’ve worked with before, it does require a thoughtful, seasonal approach to keep it healthy and attractive year-round. 

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture put together suggested maintenance practices in a lawn care calendar that will help you understand the care cycle and protect your customers’ beautiful lawns. 

Fall (September – November): Preparing for dormancy 

As cooler weather arrives, bermudagrass slows down and begins storing energy for winter survival. What you do now influences how strong the turf will be when it greens up next spring. 

• Mowing: Continue mowing every five to seven days until growth slows, then raise the cutting height slightly to reduce stress before dormancy. 
• Fertilizing: Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer four to six weeks before the first frost to build root strength. 
• Lime: If soil test recommends it, fall is an ideal time to apply lime to nourish beneficial bacteria. 
• Disease prevention: If the lawn has a history of spring dead spot, a common fungal disease affecting bermudagrass, consider applying fungicides now. 

Winter (December – February): Dormant season 

Bermudagrass naturally turns brown in winter unless overseeded. This is the turf’s rest period, but some care may still be required. 

• Mowing: Not needed unless the lawn is overseeded with ryegrass, in which case your customers can mow as needed or you can offer services to mow at a less regular frequency than through the summer months. 
• Fertilizing: Skip fertilization on dormant bermudagrass. If overseeded, light nitrogen applications may be beneficial, but soil testing is recommended to determine this need. 
• Watering: Provide supplemental water for overseeded or newly sodded areas to prevent drying. 

Spring (March – May): Wake up season 

As temperatures warm, bermudagrass emerges from dormancy and begins active growth. This is the time to jump start a healthy lawn. 

• Mowing: Start with a lower cut to remove dead growth, then mow regularly at recommended heights (0.5-2.5 inches). 
• Fertilizing: Apply nitrogen about three weeks after green-up and use soil tests to guide phosphorus and potassium applications. 
• Watering: Irrigation is rarely needed unless conditions are hot and dry. 
• Weed control: Apply pre-emergent herbicides to block crabgrass and broadleaf weeds. 

Summer (June – August): Peak growth season 

Summer is when bermudagrass thrives, but it’s also when it can face the most stress from heat, drought and pests. 

• Mowing: Offer mowing services every five to seven days and adjust for growth rate and drought conditions as needed. 
• Fertilizing: Apply nitrogen every four to six weeks, or use slow-release options for convenience. 
• Watering: Deep, infrequent watering keeps roots healthy, but is mostly necessary in periods of long droughts. 
• Aeration and dethatching: Core aerify or dethatch every two to three years. 

Why start in fall? 

Many homeowners think of lawn care as a spring and summer task, but the real foundation for a strong lawn begins in the fall. Educate your customers on the importance of fertilizing, liming and disease prevention now to give turfgrass the reserves it needs to survive winter dormancy and bounce back strong in the spring. 

Learn more about turfgrass management and find resources to share with homeowners through the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.