Bermuda Grass Heat Damage: How to Recognize and Recover from Summer Stress
- Seth Newell
- Jul 6
- 3 min read
Ah, the dog days of summer. While you may be retreating to the shade or basking under the hum of an air conditioner, your Bermuda grass is out there facing the full wrath of Oklahoma's blazing sun. Bermudagrass is a warm-season turf known for its durability and heat tolerance, but even this rugged grass has its limits. When heat damage sets in, your lawn begins sending out subtle cries for help. Recognizing the signs of stress and understanding how to respond can be the difference between a lawn that bounces back and one that needs a full renovation.
Let’s take a temperature-by-temperature look at how heat damage affects Bermuda grass and what you can do to correct it.
🔥 At 100°F: Bermuda Lawn Feels the Heat
Bermudagrass enters survival mode-lite. This is still within the upper edge of its comfort zone, but the turf starts signaling for help due to excessive heat.
What Happens:
Increased Water Demand: Evaporation skyrockets, and your Bermuda lawn’s thirst kicks into high gear. Deep, infrequent watering becomes non-negotiable.
Slower Growth: The plant naturally slows shoot and root expansion to conserve energy.
Early Signs of Heat Damage: Without adequate water, browning and crisping can start to appear.
Disease Risk Rises: Stressed plants are more vulnerable to fungal pathogens.
How to Help:
Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation.
Raise your mowing height slightly to shade the soil and reduce further heat stress.
Avoid aggressive fertilization; high nitrogen during heat can worsen damage.
🔥🔥 At 105°F: Heat Damage Pushes Bermuda Lawns to the Limit
We’re now in high-stress territory. Bermudagrass can survive, but not without consequences when exposed to prolonged heat stress.
What Happens:
Maximum Evapotranspiration: Water is lost from plant and soil at an alarming rate.
Growth Nearly Stalls: Turf diverts all its energy toward survival.
Respiration Spikes: The plant burns through energy reserves.
Scorching: Leaves brown and thin out without sufficient water.
DIY Fixes:
Double-check for proper irrigation coverage, especially on hot spots.
Use wetting agents to improve soil absorption if water is running off.
Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day to minimize stress.
Delay fertilization until temperatures moderate.
🔥🔥🔥 At 110°F: Emergency Measures for Bermuda Grass Heat Damage
This is extreme heat. Even healthy, well-established lawns are pushed to their physiological limit. At this point, heat damage is likely—even with ideal care.
What Happens:
Severe Dehydration: The plant struggles to absorb water fast enough to keep up with loss.
Metabolic Shutdown: Photosynthesis slows or halts.
Cell Damage: Cell membranes and proteins degrade.
Dormancy or Die-Off: Browning may indicate the lawn is shutting down to protect itself.
Emergency Measures:
Water multiple times daily in high-risk areas, focusing on morning and late evening.
Provide temporary shade to newly sodded or heat-sensitive areas.
Cease mowing, spraying, or any other mechanical stressors.
Prepare for partial loss and fall recovery or overseeding.
Critical Considerations
Soil Type Matters: Sandy soils dry out faster in extreme heat. Adjust watering accordingly.
Lawn Health Pre-Heat: A dense, well-maintained lawn is more resilient.
Varietal Tolerance: Some Bermuda cultivars (like TifTuf or Celebration) are more tolerant of extreme heat.
Pests & Diseases: Heat-weakened turf is an open invitation to fungal pathogens and surface feeders like armyworms.
Summary
Bermudagrass may be tough, but excessive heat is tougher. Once temperatures rise past 95°F, your lawn shifts from thriving to surviving. If your Bermuda grass shows signs of heat damage—like browning, thinning, or slowed growth—take action quickly with deep watering, stress-reducing mowing practices, and a pause on fertilization.
With timely DIY care, you can mitigate damage and help your lawn recover as the temperatures ease. And if you're unsure whether it's heat stress or something more sinister, Newell Services is just a click away.
Let the neighbors worry about their weeds. You’ve got this. 🌱
— Newell Services, LLC | Make My Lawn Great! Licensed, Local, and Lawn-Obsessed in Northeast Oklahoma Submit a New Work Request
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