Bermudagrass Lawn Care Schedule for Arkansas

Nitrogen Budget

For bermudagrass in Arkansas, aim for about 3 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet across the season, and treat 4 lbs as the ceiling — pushing past that invites excess growth, thatch buildup, and stress heading into dormancy. Split the total across the growing season rather than applying it all at once, matching feedings to the plant's active uptake in spring, summer, and again in early fall.

Mowing Height by Season

Bermudagrass in Arkansas holds its density best mowed in the 1 to 2 inch range, with 1.5 inches as a solid target through spring, summer, and fall. Never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mow — if the lawn has gotten away from you, step the height down over two or three cuts rather than scalping it back all at once.

One exception: at spring green-up, a single low reset cut down to about 1 inch can clear out the previous year's dormant thatch and speed things along. Bag the clippings that mow, then return to the normal 1.5 inch height for the rest of the season.

Spring Pre-Emergent and Seeding Windows

Arkansas's spring pre-emergent window runs February 25 to March 25, centered around March 11, and should go down once soil temperature climbs to 55°F and is still rising — this gets ahead of summer annual weeds before the lawn fills back in. Spring green-up fertilizer follows once soil is consistently above 65°F, typically April 2 to April 30, timed to about 50 percent green-up.

The early-summer seeding window for renovating or filling in bermudagrass runs April 30 to June 25, centered near May 28, once soil is reliably in the 65 to 70°F range and nights stay warm. That gives the grass a full growing season to establish before dormancy — bermudagrass should not be seeded in fall.

Summer Through Fall

Feed again during peak growth from May 23 to July 4, and a second time from July 15 to August 26 as the last heavy nitrogen application before the fall transition. From August 31 to October 12, switch to a high-potassium, low-nitrogen application to build cold hardiness before dormancy. Late spring is also the window for core aeration, April 22 to June 3, once the lawn is actively growing with soil above 65°F and strong green-up.

A fall pre-emergent for winter weeds — annual bluegrass, henbit, chickweed — goes down as soil cools through 70°F, generally August 28 to October 3. Keep in mind it also blocks grass seed, including any winter ryegrass overseed, so it's one or the other, not both. An annual soil test, taken any time from July 27 to October 25 while the grass is still active, will guide lime and nutrient decisions going forward.

Watering

Aim for about ¾ inch of water a week, split into two deep soakings of about ½ inch each, watered early in the morning so the lawn dries before nightfall — wet grass overnight invites disease. In sustained heat, that weekly target climbs: about a quarter inch more when highs sit near the mid-80s, and up to a half inch more when three or more days push near 90, capped so the soil can absorb it without runoff.

Timing Conflicts Between Products

If you've recently applied a broadleaf herbicide, wait about 6 weeks (42 days) before seeding bermudagrass. If you've recently put down a crabgrass pre-emergent, wait about 12 weeks (84 days) before seeding — pre-emergents don't distinguish between weed seed and grass seed, so timing matters either way.

If you're treating broadleaf weeds during the growing season, do it once the lawn has fully greened up, using a post-emergent labeled for your grass, and avoid spraying above about 90°F or under drought stress. Confirm your grass is listed on the label before applying anything — the label is the law.

Gear this schedule assumes

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Rain gauge

Any $10 gauge works. You need it to hit the 0.75 in/week target above without guessing.

Soil thermometer

The seed and pre-emergent windows above are soil-temperature windows — a $15 probe beats calendar guessing.

Broadcast spreader

Needed for even fertilizer and seed rates. A basic rotary spreader covers most lawns.

Oscillating sprinkler + hose timer

Enough to water deeply and consistently if you have no in-ground system.

Smart irrigation controller

Only if you have an in-ground system — a Rachio-style controller automates the watering schedule.

Used together, these windows track how Arkansas bermudagrass actually moves through the year — dormant, greening, growing hard, then hardening off for winter. Match the calendar to what the soil and grass are doing, and check every product's label before it goes down.

More guides

Bermudagrass in other states

Alabama · California · Georgia · North Carolina · Oklahoma · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Virginia

Other grasses in Arkansas

Zoysiagrass