5 Proven Tips to Keep Bermudagrass Green Longer in Fall

Bermudagrass is a widely favored choice for lawns across the southern regions due to its exceptional heat and drought tolerance, ability to withstand heavy foot traffic, and dense, vigorous growth habit. These qualities make it the go-to grass for sports fields and golf courses, where durability is required.

However, beyond these strengths, bermudagrass is more sensitive to cold than other warm-season grasses. As fall approaches and nighttime temperatures dip below 55°F, bermudagrass gradually transitions into dormancy. During this period, it conserves energy by shedding its green color and turning brown. While this response is natural, it can leave you with a lackluster lawn as the season changes.

Bermudagrass Maintenance in the Fall

In Florida, where the climate remains relatively mild through the fall, your bermudagrass may not go completely dormant. This allows you to maintain a green lawn later into the season. As long as daytime temperatures stay warm and soil temperatures remain above 60°F, your bermuda lawn can still show signs of active growth, albeit slower. However, cooler nighttime temperatures may gradually signal the onset of dormancy. This highlights the importance of monitoring weather changes and adjusting your lawn care routine—watering, mowing, and grass fertilizer application—accordingly as the season progresses.

How to Keep Bermudagrass Green in the Fall

Maintaining a lush, green bermudagrass lawn throughout the fall requires a proactive approach. As temperatures drop and growth slows, adjust your maintenance practices to support optimal lawn health. Below are some key strategies to help keep your bermudagrass looking green for longer.

1. Watering

During the peak growing season, bermudagrass requires consistent watering to stay healthy—generally about 1-1.5 inches per week, applied over 1-2 sessions. However, as fall progresses and temperatures cool, its water needs decrease. Instead of sticking to a set schedule, water only when the top 2-3 inches of the soil is dry or when the grass shows early signs of drought stress, such as wilting.

Always water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and allow the grass to absorb moisture more effectively. If rain is forecast, decrease your watering further. Remember, overwatering can lead to a shallow root system and increase the risk of fungal diseases.

2. Mowing

Bermudagrass is known for its vigorous growth during warm weather, necessitating more frequent mowing to keep it at an optimal height. As growth slows in the fall, you can reduce the mowing frequency and raise the cutting height to 1.5-2 inches. A higher cutting height encourages deeper root growth, which helps the grass withstand cooler temperatures and stay healthier for longer. Avoid mowing too low, as it can stress the grass and leave it more susceptible to damage from the cold.

3. Aerating and Dethatching

Fall is an excellent time to aerate and dethatch your lawn. Aeration relieves soil compaction, allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. This is particularly important if your lawn was subjected to heavy foot traffic in the previous seasons. Meanwhile, dethatching removes the layer of dead grass and organic debris that accumulated on the soil surface. Excessive thatch can create a barrier that prevents proper water and nutrient absorption, so removing it helps the lawn breathe and stay healthier as it heads into winter.

4. Planting Grass Plugs

The milder daytime temperatures and cooler nights during the fall create the ideal environment for planting new bermudagrass plugs. The cooler weather supports better root establishment without being too harsh on your lawn. While you can plant grass plugs any time of year, early fall is particularly favorable. During this period, the soil is still warm enough to encourage root development, and the reduced heat stress helps the plugs settle in more effectively. Planting now gives the grass plugs a head start, allowing them to establish strong roots and fill any bare or damaged areas before winter dormancy.

5. Fertilizing

NutriPod fertilizer pods are specifically formulated for new grass plugs. This fertilizer for grass features a 14-1-10 NPK ratio, delivering a balance of nutrients to support healthy root growth and strengthen your lawn as it grows into dormancy. Its slow-release formulation ensures that nutrients are gradually made available to the new plugs, helping them establish faster and fill in gaps up to two times faster.

Properly timed fertilization supports immediate growth and prepares your bermudagrass to enter dormancy in a healthy state, ensuring a strong recovery and faster green-up in spring.

Additional Tips for Bermudagrass Fall Maintenance

• Rake Fallen Leaves Regularly: Fallen leaves can block sunlight and trap moisture, creating conditions for fungal diseases to thrive. Rake leaves frequently to keep your lawn clear and well-ventilated.
• Monitor for Pests and Diseases: Cooler weather can increase the risk of pests like grubs and diseases such as brown patch. Inspect your lawn regularly and address any issues promptly.
• Control Broadleaf Weeds: As bermudagrass growth slows in the fall, broadleaf weeds like clover and dandelions can become more prominent. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds and maintain a healthy lawn.
• Avoid Soil Compaction: Limit foot traffic on your lawn, specifically when the grass is wet or dormant. Soil compaction can restrict root growth and make it harder for the grass to recover in the spring.

Should You Let Your Grass Go Dormant?

As temperatures continue to drop, your bermudagrass lawn may eventually enter dormancy. This natural survival mechanism allows the grass to conserve energy until the weather becomes favorable again. When dormancy sets in, the grass turns brown, and growth stops. Although this may seem concerning, it’s a normal process, and your lawn will green up again when spring arrives. Here’s what you can do to manage a dormant lawn:

• Watering: Significantly reduce watering frequency. Dormant bermudagrass requires minimal water—only enough to keep the roots hydrated.
• Mowing: Mowing is unnecessary when the grass is dormant. If you do need to mow, keep the blades high to prevent stressing the grass.
• Fertilizing: Do not fertilize a dormant lawn, as the grass cannot use the nutrients efficiently. Fertilizing during dormancy can lead to nutrient runoff, causing environmental concerns.
• Planting: Avoid planting new plugs in a dormant lawn, as they will not establish properly until active growth resumes in early spring.

Alternatively, if you prefer to keep your lawn green longer, consider opting for improved varieties like Bimini Bermuda. Bimini is specifically bred to retain its green color longer in the fall and to green up earlier in the spring, extending the green color in your lawn.

Final Thoughts

Implementing these fall lawn care practices can keep your bermudagrass looking green for as long as possible. Adjusting your maintenance routine to adapt to the weather ensures your lawn stays healthy and prepares it for a strong start in the early spring. With proper care, your bermudagrass lawn will be ready to thrive once warmer temperatures return.