As temperatures begin to rise at spring time, you may begin to notice your lawn changing color yet again. The color change is the ryegrass wilting from the increased temperatures. Many times people will see this change as a sign of water distress, thus increasing watering time or frequency. Keep in mind the more you nurture your ryegrass at this time, the more difficult it will be to transition back to your hybrid Bermuda. By following these simple steps you should be able to transition your lawn smoothly and more effectively.

Overseeded Lawns (Printable PDF version)
When night time temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees for at least five days, it is time to transition your lawn.

1. Begin by lowering your mowing height to gradually remove approximately 50% of the leaf blade. This will create a more open canopy for heat to reach the soil surface and “wake up” the hybrid root system.
   
   You also have the option to aerify your lawn. With the use of an aerification machine, small plugs of soil are pulled from the ground. This is another way to get the necessary heat to the root system and encourage hybrid Bermuda to come out of dormancy. Please note, aerification should only be done after May 1st.
2. Cut back on water for five days. Don’t stop watering completely though, the hybrid root system still needs the water. You want to discourage the ryegrass and encourage the Bermuda. By cutting back on water, the ryegrass will begin to show signs of stress, this is good.
3. Use a fertilizer high in ammonium sulfate. This will weaken the ryegrass even further, but will supply the Bermuda with the nutrients it needs to come out of dormancy more quickly.
   
   Be sure to rake all of the remaining ryegrass as it dies out. If it remains on the surface of the lawn it will shade the Bermuda and take longer to green up.

Non-Overseeded Lawns (Printable PDF version)
If you opted to let your lawn go dormant without overseeding, you will have a much easier time with the spring transition. Beginning in April, or when night time temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees for at least five days, you’ll want to make some slight changes in your lawn maintenance.

1. Begin by lowering your mowing height only enough to remove the first 1/3 of the leaf blade. Try to avoid scalping at this point, the more leaf remaining at the surface will help absorb sunlight and nutrients.
   
   Rake your lawn well to remove any dead grass or thatch that may hinder the sunlight from reaching the new plant growth. Higher temperatures and sunlight are key components to a smooth and effective transition.
2. Fertilize with a 21-7-14 or 16-8-4 ratio fertilizer every 30 days.
   
3. Increase watering to twice per week at 15 to 20 minutes each time. Deeper watering will encourage the root system to begin to flourish once again.
   
4. Once your lawn begins to come out of dormancy, you may also apply “Ironite” to help with the greening process.
   

For more specific watering recommendations visit the Arizona Meteorological Network website.

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