This year because of the cool,wet spring I have had several questions regarding the growth warm season grasses. Typically warm season grasses, like Bermuda grass and Zoysia grass, thrive when temperatures during the day are above the 80’s and the night temperatures are above the 60’s. This year, marked until today, we have currently had 10 days above the 80’s and last year at this time we had had more than 60 days above the 80’s. With that being said, there are different warm season grasses that do actively grow when cooler temperatures approach their optimum growing temperatures.
Early in the season is the perfect time to witness how these different grasses actively begin to grow. Zoysia varieties begin growing well before Bermuda grass varieties and some Bermuda grasses begin growing before other older Bermudas. There are several examples around the club that this can be illustrated. Below is a picture from three varieties of warm season grasses on the course, Vamont Bermuda, 419 Bermuda, and Zorro Zoysia grass. The golf course is primarily 90% Vamont Bermuda and a few renovated areas on the course are 419 Bermuda and Zorro Zoysia grass. From the picture you can see how much more dense the Zoysia and 419 Bermuda grass are compared to the older Vamont Bermuda.
Warm Season Grass Comparison