Beating the August Heat: Prepping the Fall & Winter Greenhouse

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August in Alabama is notoriously hot, but if you want a thriving fall and winter harvest, right now is exactly when you need to start getting your hands dirty. Having a greenhouse is a huge advantage for extending the growing season, so I am rolling up my sleeves this weekend to get the fall crop preparation underway. Here is a look at what is going into the dirt this weekend, what is on the schedule for later this fall, and the long game for spring. 🌱 What I’m Planting This Weekend The planting window is perfectly timed right now, so these are the priority seeds going into the setup: Baby Broccoli: I just picked up these seeds, and they are going straight into the dirt! The window for broccoli closes by mid-August, and it is well-suited for direct seeding into the soil rather than using transplants. Spinach: The window also closes by mid-August. Because spinach has shallow roots, these seeds are going straight into the vertical stackable planters. Leaf Lettuce: Perfect for plantin...
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🌱 Bermudagrass Annual Care Schedule

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 πŸŒ± Bermudagrass Annual Care Schedule

Time of Year

What to Do

Why It Matters

Late Winter (Feb – early Mar)

• Pre-emergent herbicide (like Preen Crabgrass Preventer or Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer) when soil temps reach ~55°F.
• Clean debris.

Stops annual weeds (crabgrass, goosegrass) before they germinate.

Spring Green-Up (late Mar – April)

• First fertilizer application once Bermuda is 50% green (nitrogen heavy). Good choices: Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action or Pennington UltraGreen Southern Weed & Feed.
• Mow weekly at 1–2 inches.
• Aerate if soil is compacted.

Nitrogen fuels rapid green-up and dense growth. Aeration improves root health.

Late Spring (May)

• Spot treat weeds using Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns or similar post-emergent.
• Maintain watering 1″ per week.
• Keep mowing short (Bermuda prefers low cut) but don’t scalp.

Maintains weed-free turf and strengthens roots before summer heat.

Summer (June – July)

• Second and third fertilizer apps — high nitrogen every 6–8 weeks during active growth. (Use slow-release for steady feeding.)
• Irrigation: deep watering in mornings.
• Watch for armyworms, grubs, fungal spots. Treat promptly.

Summer is Bermuda’s peak growing season — feed and water for thick turf.

Late Summer (Aug)

• Optional light fertilizer if growth is still strong.
• Overseed thin patches with Bermuda seed (but only if temps are still warm).
• Continue mowing and weed management.

Keeps density high and prevents weed invasion.

Early Fall (Sep)

• Apply a “winterizer” fertilizer with lower nitrogen but higher potassium for root strength (many brands labeled Fall/Winter).
• Final aeration if skipped earlier.

Prepares grass for winter dormancy.

Dormancy / Winter (Nov – Feb)

• Bermuda will turn brown. Just clean debris, mow as needed, and keep foot traffic light.
• Plan soil test and order spring supplies.

Reduces stress and sets up for spring recovery.

πŸ› ️ Product Recommendations for Bermudagrass

Here’s how the earlier product list fits your Bermuda program:

Product

When to Use

Why It Works for Bermuda

Preen Lawn Crabgrass Preventer

Late winter / early spring

Pre-emergent to block crabgrass & annual weeds.

Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action

April (first feeding), June (second feeding)

Feeds Bermuda, kills weeds, and prevents fire ants.

Pennington UltraGreen Southern Weed & Feed

Alternate with Scotts product mid-summer

Balanced fertilizer for southern lawns.

Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns

Spot treat anytime weeds emerge

Post-emergent broadleaf control.

Scotts Starter Fertilizer Lawn Food

If you overseed with Bermuda seed

Helps germination and quick establishment.

🧊 Late Winter (Feb – early Mar)
Goal: Prevent weeds before they sprout
Products:
• Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer
• Preen Lawn Crabgrass Control

🌿 Spring Green-Up (late Mar – April)
Goal: Jumpstart growth with nitrogen
Products:
• Pennington Full Season Southern Weed & Feed 25-0-14
• Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food (32-0-4)

🌱 Late Spring (May)
Goal: Spot treat weeds and maintain healthy turf
Products:
• Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns Concentrate
• Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer

☀️ Summer (June – July)
Goal: Feed aggressively and monitor pests
Products:
• Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
• Milorganite Slow-Release Fertilizer
• BioAdvanced Grub Killer Plus
• Spectracide Immunox Fungus Plus Insect Control

🌀️ Late Summer (Aug)
Goal: Maintain density and prep for fall
Products:
• Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food (32-0-4)
• Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Bermudagrass

πŸ‚ Early Fall (Sep)
Goal: Strengthen roots for winter
Products:
• Ferti-lome Winterizer Lawn Fertilizer (25-0-6)
• Green Thumb Winterizer Lawn Fertilizer (32-0-10)

❄️ Dormancy / Winter (Nov – Feb)
Goal: Minimize stress and plan ahead
Products:
• Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test Kit (40 Tests)

✂️ Key Maintenance Tips

  • Mowing Height: Keep Bermuda at 1–2 inches during growing season. Lower cuts produce a dense turf but require more frequent mowing.
  • Watering: Deep and infrequent watering (about 1 inch per week) is better than daily sprinkling.
  • Aeration: Once per year, preferably spring or early fall, to reduce compaction and improve root development.
  • Soil Testing: Every 2–3 years to adjust lime or nutrients. Bermuda prefers pH 6.0–6.5.
  • Pest/Disease Watch: In warm humid climates, monitor for dollar spot, spring dead spot, and armyworms. Treat with appropriate fungicide/insecticide if needed.

Quick Starter Plan for You

  1. Right now (if early spring): Apply pre-emergent herbicide.
  2. As Bermuda greens up: Apply Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action.
  3. Every 6–8 weeks: Reapply fertilizer or weed-and-feed.
  4. Mow short and often, water deeply, aerate once a year.

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