Bermuda grass soil temperature guide

For crabgrass prevention, watch the soil-temperature window before crabgrass germination. Penn State places crabgrass germination when temperatures in the upper inch of soil reach approximately 55 to 58°F at daybreak for 4 to 5 days. For Bermuda maintenance, NC State recommends mowing when the lawn first turns green and applying preemergence herbicides from mid-February to early March in its regional calendar.

Warm-season turf should be managed around active growth. NC State’s Bermuda calendar emphasizes soil testing and spring green-up before normal warm-season maintenance ramps up. Lawn Dominator pairs that idea with current soil temperature and local weather so you can avoid pushing dormant or partially dormant turf.

• Check your current soil temperature and trend.
• Use the pre-emergent guide if your target is crabgrass prevention.
• Track fertilizer, herbicide, PGR, and photos in the app once Bermuda is actively growing.