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Field Crops, Grains & OilseedsBermudagrass Planting Calendar
Bermudagrass is a warm-season perennial grass used for hay and pasture across the South. It likes heat, grows fast in summer and goes dormant after frost.
Key points
- Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass established after the last frost in warm soil.
- No federal planting table exists, so use local extension guidance.
- Seeded and sprigged types differ in cost, vigor and hardiness.
- Weed control and moisture are the keys in the first year.
What does bermudagrass need to start growing?
Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass, and it breaks dormancy and grows when the soil and air warm up. Establishment is best in late spring and early summer, when soil is warm enough for rapid growth. Planting too early into cool soil can slow or kill new sprigs or seedlings.
USDA NASS does not publish usual planting dates for bermudagrass, and it lists other hay only by harvest. Rely on your state extension guide, and use soil temperature and your last frost date to time your planting.
When should you plant bermudagrass?
Most extension sources recommend establishing bermudagrass after the last spring frost, once the soil is warm, and giving the new planting enough time to grow before fall. A planting made too late may not develop enough root and runner growth to survive winter. Ask your extension forage specialist for the window used in your county.
Check soil temperature in the morning at planting depth for several days. If a cool snap is forecast, wait. The first season is when the stand is most vulnerable, and moisture matters.
- Plant after the last spring frost in warm soil
- Allow time to establish before fall
- Moisture matters in the first season
Seeded or sprigged: what is the difference?
Bermudagrass can be established from seed or from sprigs, which are pieces of the plant that include stems or runners. Seeded types are often cheaper to start but can vary more. Sprigged types are propagated vegetatively, and varieties may offer higher yield or better winter hardiness. The right choice depends on your region, budget and goals.
Ask extension which varieties are adapted to your winters. Some bermudagrass types are less winter hardy, and a hard winter can thin a stand, particularly toward the northern edge of where the grass is grown. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map can show you winter minimum temperatures, but it does not give planting dates.
How do you prepare the site?
Control competing vegetation before planting, test the soil and correct pH with lime if recommended. Follow local nutrient management rules, which vary by state. Sprigs need firm contact with moist soil, and many growers pack the soil after planting. Seeded stands need a firm seedbed and shallow seed placement.
Weed control in the first year is important because young bermudagrass is not a strong competitor. Ask extension about options. Any herbicide use follows the label.
How do you manage the first year?
Avoid heavy grazing or cutting before the stand covers the ground. Ask extension when the first cutting or grazing is safe for your variety and region. Fertility needs are usually high for hay production, and recommendations come from soil tests. Rates depend on yield goals and local guidance.
Some regions have insect pests that affect bermudagrass hay, and extension programs provide scouting information. Follow label directions for any product, observe pre-harvest intervals and protect pollinators.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Planting too early in cool soil, planting too late in the season, letting sprigs dry out and skipping weed control are common. Another is choosing a variety that is not winter hardy enough for your location. Keep records of planting date, variety, rainfall and results.
- Planting into cool soil
- Letting sprigs dry out
- Choosing a variety not adapted to your winters
How can a worked example help you plan a first season?
Suppose your average last spring frost falls in early April and soil temperatures climb through May. You might line up sprigs for a planting window in late spring, prepare the field by controlling weeds and correcting pH, and plant when the soil is warm and moist, with rain in the forecast. Afterward, you would watch for dry spells, because new sprigs can dry out quickly, and plan for weed control as growth begins.
That is only an example. Your own timing depends on your location, variety and equipment, so check with your extension forage specialist. Ask them when new stands can be grazed or cut safely.
Record the planting date, the weather that followed and the stand coverage at several points in the season. That record will help you decide whether to fill thin areas, and it shows you how your farm responds.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.