Bermuda – dormant or dead

GrassRookie – posted 27 August 2003 13:15

Hey Gang,

I planted approx. 225 sq. yards of Tifway 219 Bermuda in early July. Now, the biggest majority of this sod has either already turned brown (resembling dead grass) or is gradually turning brown. I have watered religiously and not cut “too short” for the first growing season. I have asked and followed all that I have been told by more experienced “sod folks.”

My question … is this stuff truly dead? Or has it gone dormant? If only dormant, will it come back in the spring?

Brad – posted 28 August 2003 11:43

You didn’t say where you live, but I find it extremely hard to believe that bermuda 419 is beginning to go dormant anywhere in the continental U.S. in the month of August. At any rate, the first question that comes to my mind is the amount of sun the turf is getting. Virtually all varieties of Bermuda need at least 6 and preferably 8 or more hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day to really thrive and not become leggy or thin. Maybe this is your problem. Another issue might be the soil composition. Again, without knowing where you are it’s possible your soil type (too little or too much ph, etc.)is just not conducive for growng Bermuda. Last, we’ve had a very wet summer in many parts of the country and you mentioned watering pretty heavily. Is it possible the turf has received too much water from the combination of rain and watering? Hope this helps some.