Plant Growth Regulators for Bermuda Lawns

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are a powerful tool for maintaining healthy Bermuda grass lawns. These specialized substances regulate grass growth and development, offering practical advantages for homeowners looking for more efficient lawn care management. By slowing the vertical growth of grass while encouraging more resilient turfgrass, PGRs significantly reduce the need for mowing. The result is a healthier lawn that requires less maintenance and is better equipped to withstand stress from heat, traffic, and other environmental factors. In this blog, we’ll explore how PGRs work, the benefits they offer, and why they’re a game-changer for maintaining Bermuda grass.

What Are Plant Growth Regulators?

Plant growth regulators are a game-changer for managing warm-season grasses. PGRs are chemical substances, often classified as plant hormones, that influence the growth and development of plants. The active ingredient commonly used in Plant Growth Regulators, trinexapac-ethyl, works by interfering the synthesis of gibberellic acid, a plant hormone that promotes cell elongation and vertical growth in grasses. By suppressing this hormone, PGRs, like Primo Maxx and TNex, reduce the energy a plant spends on growing taller, encouraging turfgrass to grow thicker and more robust. This improves the overall health of the lawn while helping it better tolerate environmental stresses, such as high temperatures and heavy foot traffic.

Benefits of Plant Growth Regulators for Bermuda Grass

PGRs can transform the way you maintain your Bermuda grass. These products promote healthier and more resilient grass — all while making lawn care less time-consuming and more effective. 

Reduced Mowing Needs

By slowing down their vertical growth, PGRs help keep your lawn from growing too tall too quickly, allowing you to spend less time behind the mower and more time enjoying your outdoor space. With fewer mowing sessions, you’ll not only save time and energy but also reduce wear and tear on your lawn mower. Plus, maintaining a consistent growth rate means your lawn stays neat, healthy, and well-kept throughout the growing season, making it easier to enjoy its full beauty all year long.

Enhanced Lawn Appearance

PGRs help Bermuda grass grow thicker and denser, promoting more uniform turf growth. This denser growth improves the overall appearance of your lawn and deepens the color of the grass, reducing the risk of yellowing and making it appear greener. By encouraging lateral growth, PGRs fill in bare spots in your yard for a lush, consistent turf.

Better Stress Tolerance

Grasses treated with PGRs show improved resilience to environmental stressors, significantly enhancing turf quality — an advantage that’s especially necessary on golf courses and fairways. These substances help the grass develop stronger root systems, which, in turn, improve its ability to withstand drought, heat, and heavy foot traffic. With better root development and denser turf, your Bermuda lawn is more capable of handling extreme weather conditions and recovering from stress.

Best Times to Apply PGRs

The best time to apply PGRs to Bermuda grass is during its active growing season, typically from late spring through summer. This is when the grass is most receptive to growth regulation, allowing PGRs to effectively slow vertical growth while promoting denser turf and stronger root systems. Applying PGRs during this time maximizes their benefits, including reducing mowing frequency and improving stress tolerance.

For other types of grasses, like tall fescue and St. Augustine, PGR applications are also effective, though the timing may vary slightly. Tall fescue benefits most from PGRs in the cooler months of spring and fall, while St. Augustine thrives with PGR applications during the warmer months, similar to Bermuda grass. Adjusting the timing based on different grass types can help you achieve optimal results.

Application Tips for PGRs

For the best results from your plant growth regular applications, follow these tips:

• Apply during dry conditions: Make sure the grass is dry when applying PGRs, as wet grass can cause uneven application and reduce effectiveness.
• Use the right equipment for even coverage: Use a foliar sprayer or spreader designed for even distribution to apply the PGR uniformly across your lawn.
• Water the lawn lightly after application: Lightly water the lawn after applying PGRs to help the product absorb into the soil and reach the root system.
• Follow recommended application rates: Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the correct dosage to avoid over-application.
• Avoid applying during high temperatures: Try to apply PGRs early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid applying during peak heat, which can cause the chemicals to break down too quickly.
• Monitor turf health after application: Keep an eye on your lawn after application to make sure the PGR is working as expected, and adjust the timing or dosage if necessary.

Combining PGRs with Other Lawn Care Practices

Although PGRs are effective on their own, combining them with other lawn care practices can transform your lawn into a serene oasis. Here’s how combining PGRs with other strategies can boost turf quality, improve overall growth, and keep your lawn healthy year-round:

• Aeration: Aerating your lawn improves soil health by allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the root zone. This complements PGRs by enhancing root development and helping bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and other common grasses grow stronger and denser.
• Fertilization: Fertilizing your lawn gives it the nutrients needed for healthy growth. When combined with PGRs, granular fertilization supports lateral growth. Use a balanced fertilizer and apply it according to the recommended schedule.
• Proper Watering: Watering your lawn consistently provides optimal hydration. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to shallow root growth. Instead, maintain a schedule that encourages deep-root development to complement the benefits of PGRs.
• Manage Clippings: By reducing vertical growth, PGRs minimize the amount of grass clippings generated during mowing. Properly managing these reduced clippings — such as mulching or composting — further supports lawn health and reduces waste.
• Pest and Disease Management: Pairing PGRs with herbicides and fungicides can strengthen your lawn’s defense against weeds and fungal infections. Healthier turf from PGR use enhances the effectiveness of these treatments, resulting in a lawn that’s more resistant to common issues like invasive weeds, brown patches, and dollar spots.
• Adapt to Seasonal Changes: While PGRs are highly effective for Bermuda grass, they can also benefit cool-season grasses like tall fescue, ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. Combining PGRs with tailored practices for these grasses, such as seasonal fertilization and overseeding, helps maintain their health during peak growth periods.

Why Choose All Turf Lawn Care?

If you’re ready to achieve the low-maintenance, lush lawn you’ve been dreaming of, All Turf Lawn Care brings expert knowledge and professional care to applying PGRs. With decades of lawn care experience, we know how to achieve optimal results through proper application and tailored lawn care strategies. Whether you’re looking to reduce mowing frequency or enhance the overall appearance of your lawn, you can count on our team for lasting results. Click here to contact us for a free quote!