Expert Guide to Keeping Bermudagrass Green Longer in Fall

When it comes to grass varieties that can withstand various challenging conditions, bermudagrass often tops the list. Characterized by its heat tolerance, drought resilience, and impressive durability against heavy foot traffic, bermudagrass is a favorite among homeowners and sports fields alike. However, it falls short in one critical area: cold tolerance. Along with its poor shade tolerance, bermudagrass struggles to maintain its emerald green color when light or warmth diminishes, particularly in cooler months.

If you live in Florida, where the temperate climate usually doesn't dip far enough to cause full dormancy, your bermudagrass may retain some of its green color even into late fall. In this case, you can continue your regular lawn care routine with some adjustments to help your lawn through the season. These practices will help your bermudagrass survive winter, setting it up for a healthy green-up in spring.

What Happens to Your Bermuda Lawn in the Fall?

In Florida, fall brings milder temperatures that signal the transition from the active growing season to a slower phase for bermudagrass. In most regions, bermudagrass goes dormant, but it may not enter full dormancy in areas without fall frost—like much of Florida. You may see a slowdown in growth as soil temperatures cool, though not a complete stop. During this period, the grass may look lackluster and less green as it grows more slowly. However, with proper care, your lawn can retain vitality and be ready for a vivid return in spring.

In contrast, when the grass is dormant, the blades turn brown, making your lawn appear dead. But don't be fooled—dormancy is a natural survival mechanism, not a sign of death. Dormant grass is simply conserving energy to make it through the cold, ready to green up again in spring when the weather warms.

Bermudagrass Fall Lawn Care Tips

With the mild Florida climate, it's essential to monitor the changing weather and adapt your lawn care routine. While your bermudagrass may not go fully dormant, it's likely to experience slower growth, and your fall maintenance practices should aim to keep the grass green for as long as possible.

However, once your lawn shows signs of dormancy, it’s important not to disturb that process and let nature run its course. As long as you've taken the proper preparations, your lawn should recover and thrive when spring returns.

Watering

During the active growing season, bermudagrass generally requires 1-1.5 inches of water per week, ideally spread across 1-2 watering sessions. However, as temperatures drop, evaporation decreases, and the grass needs less water. Overwatering can lead to problems like root rot or fungal diseases, so adjusting your watering schedule is crucial.

Signs that your grass needs water include a dull, bluish-gray tint to the blades and grass that doesn’t bounce back after being walked on. Make sure to water sparingly and only when necessary to maintain root health during fall. Keep in mind that dormant grass doesn't need regular watering, but it does benefit from occasional moisture to keep the root system hydrated.

Mowing

As fall approaches, it's necessary to prepare your lawn for slower growth by adjusting your mowing practices. The general recommendation is to keep bermudagrass at 1.5-2 inches height during the growing season. But during fall, you should mow less often to account for the slower growth and allow the grass to grow slightly taller, up to 2.5 inches. This additional length helps the grass conserve energy and provides extra insulation for the root system.

Additionally, follow the one-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the grass height in a single mowing session. This practice reduces stress on the lawn and encourages healthy growth. You’ll know it’s time to stop mowing altogether when the grass growth slows significantly or stops due to dormancy.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing in early fall, before the grass goes dormant, gives your lawn the essential nutrients to store energy during dormancy, ensuring a quicker and fuller green-up in spring. Applying nitrogen-rich fertilizers before dormancy also supports strong root development and prepares the lawn for winter.

You can continue your regular fertilizing schedule as long as the grass is actively growing. However, once bermudagrass shows signs of dormancy, it's important to stop applying fertilizer. Fertilizing dormant grass will not stimulate growth; instead, it can lead to nutrient imbalances in the soil and potential waste, as the grass isn't actively absorbing nutrients. Additionally, fertilizing during dormancy can sometimes stimulate premature green-up, making the grass susceptible to damage from potential cold snaps or frost. It's best to stop fertilization until the grass resumes active growth to protect your lawn from unnecessary damage.

How to Care for Newly Planted Grass Plugs

While spring and summer are often considered the prime seasons for planting grass, fall can also provide excellent conditions for establishing new bermudagrass plugs. The milder temperatures and lower risk of heat stress make fall an ideal time for grass to establish its root system before winter.

SodPods grass plugs are small sections of mature grass sod with fully developed root systems, grown individually in trays and ready for planting. These grass sod plugs are perfect for filling bare patches or introducing healthier grass varieties.

Bermudagrass, known for its vigorous growth, is particularly effective as grass plugs, allowing for faster coverage and recovery. For optimal results, support your new grass plugs with NutriPod grass fertilizer pods. As a slow-release fertilizer for bermudagrass, NutriPod supplies the essential nutrients during the establishment phase, promoting healthy root development and accelerating growth up to twice as fast.

Final Thoughts

Fall may not bring the extreme cold that triggers complete dormancy for bermudagrass in Florida, but the cooler temperatures do signal a shift in lawn care practices. Adjusting your watering, mowing, and fertilizing routines helps ensure your lawn remains healthy and green longer and, ultimately, ready for spring green-up. During this season, grass plugs emerge as an effective solution for repairing damaged areas and supporting faster recovery. With a bit of creativity and a tailored approach, it’s possible to maintain a beautiful, healthy lawn throughout the fall and winter, ready to return vibrant and strong in the warmth of spring.

Ready to get started? Buy bermudagrass plugs at the SodPods website today!