Exactly When Does Bermuda Grass Go Dormant (Tell-Tale Signs)

Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass with fast growth and exceptionally high tolerance for foot traffic. It performs best in full, direct sun, allowing it to stay green during intense summer conditions.

The bad news is that bermudagrass will go dormant when temperatures consistently drop below 55 °F (12.8 °C). This is typically in late fall or early winter in most parts of the United States. To maintain color, gardeners often overseed Bermuda with a cool-season grass like the annual ryegrass. 

Dormancy is a gradual process that is triggered by cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and overnights of frost. It normally starts in the fall in areas that receive cooler temperatures. Bermuda grass will start to change color from green to brown as it conserves energy.

Let’s dive into detail.

When Does Bermuda Grass Go Dormant?

Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass that thrives in USDA zones 8 to 10. For instance, if you live in areas like Southern California, Colorado, Maryland, Georgia, Arizona, or Delaware, your grass may not go dormant unless under extraordinary conditions. These areas receive warm temperatures throughout the year. 

In areas with cooler winters, like the upper South, Bermuda grass will go dormant as early as Mid-October to November, and late November to early December in the Lower South. The grass will remain brown but not dead until early to mid-spring (March to May) when temperatures consistently stay above 60 °F

Bermuda grass can also go into a semi-dormant state when weather conditions are too dry. The grass may maintain the green color, but stop growing. The rhizome on the roots can also lose 50% of its weight when it is not receiving enough water, causing the grass to thin out.

How to Know if Bermuda Grass is Dormant

Knowing if Bermuda grass is dormant helps in adjusting the lawn’s maintenance schedule. How to care for actively growing grass isn’t the same as when it’s dormant. Here are the tell-tale signs that Bermuda grass is dormant:

The grass changes color to brown

The grass will brown gradually from the top of the blades downwards. The upper half of the leaves may change color to brown while the rest of the plant is still green. The lower leaves that are insulated may also maintain the green color during the initial dormancy process. 

The whole grass plant will change color to brown when fully dormant. During this period, it may appear dead. However, you should not worry if the change in color is a result of low temperatures and not lack of water. The grass will come back to life when the temperature warms up.

The grass stops growing

Bermuda grass will stop growing when the ground temperature is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). The grass will start to conserve its energy in the roots as it prepares to enter dormancy. During this period, the grass will only use less energy to survive and not to thrive.

Try the tug test

Pulling a section of Bermuda grass can determine if it’s dormant or dead. If the grass resists being pulled from the ground, it simply means it’s dormant. The roots are still active and anchored strongly into the soil. On the other hand, if the grass feels spongy to the touch and pulls out of the soil easily, it’s unfortunate that it may be dead. 

How Long Does Bermuda Stay in Dormancy?

Bermuda grass will start to come out of dormancy when ground temperature rises above 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) consistently and when there is no more frost overnight. The dormancy period may vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on your region.

Bermuda grass dormancy in frost-free climates may take only a few weeks. The grass will maintain the green color, although with a reduced growth rate due to cooler nights and shorter daylight.

In cooler climate regions with long winter periods, Bermuda grass will take a few months to come out of dormancy. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks for green grass to cover your lawn again. The increasing temperature and daytime light encourage vigorous grass growth. 

Most warm-season grass like Bermuda goes through 3 stages to recover fully from dormancy. They include: revival, emergence, and full regrowth. The revival stage is triggered by warm temperatures, sufficient light, and the absence of frost. The roots emerge to direct energy into blade production. Within a few weeks, the grass will be fully regrown.

Should You Cut Dormant Bermuda Grass?

Mowing grass appropriately helps it develop deep root growth. In the long run, it enables the grass to overcome environmental stresses such as tough weather conditions, weeds, pests and diseases.

When the winter season is approaching, prepare your grass for dormancy. Give Bermuda a final mow in late fall, typically when growth significantly slows. Avoid scalping but keep it slightly higher than summer. Bag the grass clipping and rake your lawn to keep it clean before frost.

Avoid mowing your grass once it has entered a dormant state. The grass is already stressed up due to bad weather conditions. Mowing will add more stress that can damage roots and cause the grass to die. 

Early in the spring, your grass will begin to revive when temperatures rise consistently. The grass will require fertilizer and frequent watering to grow healthy throughout the season. If the grass has completely recovered from the dormancy and looks healthy, you can now resume your normal maintenance.

Final thoughts

Bermuda grass will start to prepare for dormancy in the fall, when temperature hits below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The grass will store energy to help it go through the stresses of winter. The grass will remain dormant until the temperature warms up again in spring.