Bermuda grass is a warm-season turf highly valued for its exceptional performance in hot, arid regions. The answer to whether it is drought tolerant is a definitive yes, especially when compared to cool-season varieties that struggle in high temperatures. Its natural resilience makes it a popular choice for lawns, sports fields, and golf courses where water conservation is necessary. Understanding how to manage the grass through dry periods allows homeowners to leverage its natural survival strategies.
The Biological Basis of Bermuda Grass Drought Tolerance
Bermuda grass possesses physiological adaptations that allow it to thrive under conditions of intense heat and limited moisture. Unlike many other grasses, it uses a specialized C4 photosynthetic pathway, which is highly efficient at converting sunlight into energy in high-temperature environments. This process allows the grass to conserve water by keeping its stomata, or leaf pores, closed for longer periods during the day, significantly reducing water loss through evapotranspiration.
The plant’s root structure is a primary defense against drought conditions. Bermuda grass develops an extensive and deep root system that can penetrate the soil several feet, sometimes reaching depths of up to eight feet in permeable soils. While the majority of the root mass remains in the top 24 inches, the deeper roots act as a lifeline, accessing residual moisture reserves unavailable to shallow-rooted grasses. This ability allows the grass to maintain hydration long after the surface soil has dried out.
Further contributing to its survival are specialized horizontal stems known as rhizomes and stolons. Stolons creep across the soil surface, while rhizomes spread underground, and both structures store carbohydrates and energy reserves. When surface water becomes unavailable, these reserves allow the grass to enter a state of dormancy without dying. This vegetative network ensures that the plant crowns remain viable, ready to rapidly sprout new growth once moisture returns.
Preparing the Lawn for Seasonal Dry Spells
Proactive lawn care, well before a drought begins, is the most effective way to maximize the grass’s natural resilience. The primary goal of preparation is to encourage the deep root growth that will sustain the turf through dry spells. This is achieved by adopting a deep, infrequent watering schedule during normal conditions, applying about one to one and a half inches of water in a single session once or twice a week. This practice forces the roots to extend downward in search of moisture.
Proper mowing height also plays a role in drought preparedness. Maintaining Bermuda grass at the upper end of its recommended height, typically between one and two inches, helps to shade the soil surface. This shading reduces the soil temperature and minimizes the rate of water evaporation. Performing core aeration annually or semi-annually helps to alleviate soil compaction, ensuring that water can easily penetrate to the root zone.
Managing Bermuda Grass During Severe Water Restrictions
During periods of severe drought or mandated water restrictions, maintenance shifts from promoting active growth to ensuring survival. The first sign of water stress is often a change in color to a dull, blue-grey hue, or “footprinting,” where compressed grass blades remain flat after being walked upon. When these signs appear, homeowners must allow the grass to enter a state of induced dormancy, which is the plant’s most effective survival strategy.
Dormancy is characterized by the grass turning completely brown and ceasing active growth, but the crowns and rhizomes remain alive. The goal during this phase is to provide just enough water to prevent the plant crowns from desiccating completely. If water restrictions allow, a minimal irrigation of approximately a quarter to a half inch of water should be applied every two to four weeks. This minimal amount is sufficient to keep the living parts of the plant viable without stimulating new growth.
Accepting a brown, dormant lawn is necessary under extreme conditions. Attempting to keep the turf green by constantly applying small amounts of water is counterproductive, as it encourages shallow rooting and wastes water. Under a severe, prolonged drought, a brown lawn is a surviving lawn. It is crucial to avoid mowing or applying fertilizer, as these activities stress the plant and demand additional resources.
Post-Drought Recovery and Rejuvenation
Once normal rainfall resumes or water restrictions are lifted, Bermuda grass exhibits a remarkable capacity for rapid recovery from dormancy. The first step in rejuvenation is to thoroughly rehydrate the soil, resuming a deep and infrequent watering schedule to saturate the root zone. The grass will naturally begin to green up as moisture becomes available to the surviving crowns and rhizomes.
After the turf begins to show consistent signs of active green growth, post-drought actions can be initiated. Wait to apply fertilizer until the grass is actively growing to avoid pushing premature growth while the plant is still stressed. A light application of a slow-release fertilizer will help restore nutrient reserves without causing a sudden surge of growth that could overwhelm the re-establishing root system. If the soil became heavily compacted during the dry period, aggressive core aeration can be beneficial to improve water and air infiltration.
This practice also helps the root system recover its vigor and depth. The speed of the rejuvenation process depends on the duration of the dormancy, but with proper rehydration and care, Bermuda grass can quickly return to its dense, vibrant state.