Dormant Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grasses become dormant in cold weather. Overseeding in fall with rye grass is a common practice to maintain year-round green color.

However, below the surface it is alive and waiting for warmer weather. Bermuda usually starts to slow down and go dormant in September and starts growing again in May. This life cycle makes it so Bermuda does not have to be replanted each year. Therefore, if a winter lawn is desired, it can be planted over the dormant Bermuda. When high afternoon temperatures start to kill the winter lawn, in May, the Bermuda grass takes over again.

Bermuda grass will go dormant with the first severe drop in temperature in late Fall, however can be overseeded with ryegrass to provide a green lawn in winter.

Occasionally if late fall planting is required, you can attempt the more risky planting method using the dormant seeding method in late fall. In most cases it is recommended that you use unhulled seeds. Most of the new seeded varieties are only sold as hulled seed and thus should not be planted in the fall.


Picture source :http://www.flickr.com/photos/35925794@N00/199393192/