When Does Bermuda Grass Turn Green? (Come out of Dormancy?)

Being a warm-season grass, Bermuda will struggle to produce chlorophyll when soil temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 degrees Celsius). Therefore, it will lose its green color to brown gradually as it enters winter dormancy. So, when does Bermuda grass turn green? 

Bermuda grass greens up in early spring when the ground temperature rises above 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) consistently for several days. This can happen anywhere between March and April, depending on the climate and weather patterns of your region.

When Does Bermuda Grass Turn Green

Bermuda is a warm-season grass that enters winter dormancy when planted in regions that receive cool temperatures. The grass will turn green in spring when the ground temperature starts to hit above 65 degrees Fahrenheit consistently for at least 5 days.

Greening can happen anywhere between the month of February and April in the spring. This is when the temperature rises above 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime and 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

It’s important to understand that dormant Bermuda grass is not dead. Fertilizing early in spring, after the grass greens up fast. Once you notice that your lawn has begun to turn green, apply a slow-release fertilizer containing a high nitrogen ratio to promote lush green color growth.

How to Keep Bermuda Grass Green in Winter

As a warm-season grass, Bermuda will turn brown when ground temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 degrees Celsius). If your area doesn’t experience long freezes, it’s possible to keep your lawn grass green throughout the year. Here’s what to do:

1. Over-seed with a cool-season grass

Over-seeding your Bermuda with cool-season grass early in the fall will guarantee a green lawn in winter. As warm-season Bermuda grass enters dormancy, the cool-season grass will be flourishing. Ryegrass is the best choice to over-seed with Bermuda.

2. Fertilize your lawn in the fall

Fertilizing in the fall will keep the grass in good condition through winter. Choose a slow-release fertilizer containing a high percentage of nitrogen and potassium. Nitrogen will help the grass to maintain green color, while potassium will boost resilience against tough winter conditions. 

3. Aerate your lawn

Summer conditions drive moisture out of the soil, causing it to harden. It’s difficult for grass to develop roots and penetrate properly in compacted soil. Aerating the lawn will help to decompact the soil and allow better root growth. The best time to aerate is late spring to early summer (April – early August).

4. Keep your lawn clean

To maintain a green lawn through the winter months, it is essential to keep it clean. Pick or rake fallen tree leaves, branches, and other debris that choke off sunlight to your grass. Allowing them to pile up can introduce harmful moisture and mold.

5. Use lawn-safe deicer

Use a lawn-safe deicer to get rid of ice on the footpaths or driveway. Using salt as a deicer is not good for the lawn. Runoff from deicing can burn grasses along the paved areas. This can cause brown patches or dead grass in your lawn during winter.

Why is my Bermuda not Turning Green?

In some circumstances, Bermuda grass may fail to turn green even after exiting the winter period due to two reasons. First, the grass is still dormant. The soil temperature may still be too cold for Bermuda grass to come out of dormancy. Secondly, it may be suffering from winter desiccation. 

In areas where Bermuda grass enters dormancy in the winter season, you will expect the grass to start greening up early in spring. However, this process can be delayed if the soil temperature is still too cold for the grass to be active. The grass will tend to green up when the ground temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

The second reason usually happens when your lawn grass is affected by winter drought. Dry winter weather can damage grass roots and prevent them from greening up fast in spring. On rare occasions, this condition can also kill your grass. Fortunately, there are ways you can overcome this situation.

In dry winter conditions, keep on checking the soil moisture content of your lawn. If the soil feels dry, water your lawn for at least an inch once a month. This will guarantee a greener lawn early in spring.

How to Wake up Bermuda Grass (Bring it out of dormancy)

After long months of winter, Bermuda grass can be sluggish and requires special care to bring it out of dormancy. Here is how to kick-start your lawn’s growth out of dormancy.

1. Mow the Grass

It’s okay to mow your grass early in spring to wake it up from winter slumber. Be sure not to scalp your lawn; set the mower blade to 3½ inches. New green grass blades should be able to grow around the older brown ones. You can use a mulching blade to incorporate the grass clippings back into the lawn.

2. Fertilize

Once the grass starts to grow again, it’s okay to fertilize your lawn. Choose quality slow-release N-P-K fertilizer containing a high nitrogen ratio. For instance, a 29-3-4 N-P-K fertilizer is ideal for bringing grass out of dormancy. It contains a high percentage of nitrogen to boost lush green growth.

3. Water the Grass

Naturally, rain will bring Bermuda grass out of dormancy. However, if rainfall is insufficient, water your lawn evenly and deeply at least once a week. The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning when the weather is cool and less windy. 

4. Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Killer

When the soil is fertilized and rehydrated, the grass will grow vigorously, and so will the weeds. Therefore, it’s ideal to apply a pre-emergent weed killer to prevent them from germinating. Allowing weeds to grow will compete for nutrients and other natural resources with grass.

5. Re-Seed Bare Spots

Identify bare spots in your lawn and reseed them as soon as possible. Crabgrass and other weeds will take advantage of the bare spots to grow and smother your grass. Bare spots in your lawn can also expose the soil to erosion. 

Final Thoughts

Bermuda grass will start to come out of dormancy when the soil temperature warms up and there is no overnight frost. Mowing, fertilizing, watering, and controlling the weeds will help the grass to come out of dormancy quickly. It will also help the grass to green up fast.