Fall Turfgrass Maintenance Guide for the Southeast: Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass & Tall Fescue 

5th Sep 2025

Turfgrass professionals across the Southeast face a crucial window for golf, lawn, and athletic field maintenance. September marks the beginning of seasonal shifts in temperature, day length, and soil conditions—making it the perfect time to prepare Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and Tall Fescue for the months ahead. 

Whether you manage golf courses, athletic facilities, or residential landscapes, here’s your fall checklist to keep these turf varieties healthy, resilient, and ready for spring. These are the general guidelines from our friends at NC State University, care of their Turf Files resource center. If you already have our blue-tag certified sod installed on your turfgrass project, implementing these guidelines will help ensure that your turfgrass stays healthy through the season! 

Bermudagrass (Warm-Season): TifTuf Bermuda  

Tif Tuf Bermuda, SW FL Golf Course

September–October Priorities: 

  • Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer early in September to support late-season growth. Avoid high-nitrogen applications past mid-September, as it can encourage tender growth vulnerable to frost damage. 
  • Weed Control: Pre-emergent herbicides (like prodiamine or dithiopyr) can be applied in early fall to prevent winter annual weeds (poa annua, chickweed, henbit). 
  • Overseeding (if applicable): Athletic fields and high-visibility turf may benefit from overseeding with perennial ryegrass for winter color and playability. Time this in late September through early October. 
  • Mowing: Maintain height at 1–2 inches until growth slows, then gradually raise height before dormancy to protect crowns. 

 

Zoysiagrass (Warm-Season): Prizm Zoysia and Zeon Zoysia 

Prizm Zoysia Up Close

September–October Priorities: 

  • Nutrient Management: Apply a low-to-moderate rate of potassium fertilizer to enhance cold tolerance and stress resistance. Avoid late nitrogen applications that may delay dormancy. 
  • Thatch & Aeration: If thatch exceeds ½ inch, consider a light vertical mowing or aerification before growth completely slows. This reduces disease risk and improves oxygen flow. 
  • Disease Watch: As temperatures cool, zoysia can be prone to large patch (Rhizoctonia). Preventative fungicide treatments in September are recommended in areas with a history of outbreaks. 
  • Mowing: Maintain at 1–2 inches. As growth tapers off, avoid scalping, which weakens turf going into winter. 

 

Tall Fescue (Cool-Season): Select Tall Fescue 

Select Tall Fescue Lawn

September–November Priorities: 

  • Prime Overseeding Window: September is the best month to seed or overseed Tall Fescue in the Southeast. Soil temperatures are warm enough for germination, while cooler air reduces stress on seedlings. 
  • Fertilization: Apply nitrogen in September and again in November for strong fall growth and winter color. Aim for 1–2 lbs. of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. in split applications. 
  • Core Aeration: Combine overseeding with aeration to relieve summer compaction and improve seed-to-soil contact. 
  • Mowing: Maintain height at 3–4 inches. Higher mowing encourages deeper roots and better drought tolerance. 

 

Turfgrass Pro Fall Maintenance Basics 

  1. Timing is everything. Warm-season grasses (Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass) are preparing for dormancy, while cool-season grasses (Tall Fescue) are entering peak growth. 
  1. Balance nutrients wisely. Nitrogen fuels Tall Fescue in fall but should be limited for Bermudagrass and Zoysia past mid-September. Potassium and preventative fungicides are more critical for warm-season turf. 
  1. Set up for spring success. Overseeding, aeration, and fall feeding ensure turf density, reduced weed pressure, and better resilience against winter stress. 

Ready to Upgrade to Blue-Tag Certified Sod? 

Buy Sod/SodStar supplies blue-tag certified Tif Tuf Bermuda, Prizm Zoysia or Zeon Zoysia, and Select Tall Fescue to professional turfgrass projects across the Southeast. Such projects include golf courses, athletic facilities, and landscape architecture. Contact our team today to schedule delivery and give your natural turfgrass project the strong foundation it deserves! Whether you’re ready to get started or planning for next year, we’re here to help.  

Request a Quote from Buy Sod/SodStar.