Turf managers in the southern United States have traditionally overseeded bermudagrass during the fall to maintain playable, aesthetically appealing turfgrass surfaces throughout dormancy. This goal, however, is achieved with some difficulty. Maintenance throughout the winter and transitioning the playing surface from a cool-season grass back to a warm-season grass can be challenging.
Overseeding is not the only way to maintain green turfgrass during the winter. In recent years, turf colorants have served as the standard alternative to overseeding. As a result, several new products have been introduced to the market. The increase in colorant popularity, particularly at golf courses and sports turf facilities, can partly be attributed to the difficulty of transitioning during the spring from overseeded grasses to bermudagrass. Prolonged cool springs have also allowed overseeded grasses to persist through May and June, causing delays in bermudagrass green-up. The use of turf colorants allows for a more predictable spring green-up and contributes to a healthier stand of bermudagrass going into the summer. Click here to better understand how these new products perform and persist over time based on research conducted at North Carolina State University.
