Latitude 36 Bermudagrass
The most versatile bermuda on the market. Fine blade, dark green, and built to perform from stadium fields to backyard lawns.
Why Latitude 36?
Latitude 36 is a fine-bladed, dark green bermudagrass developed by Oklahoma State University specifically to push bermuda performance further north than ever before. It delivers the look of a premium lawn with the toughness of a stadium field — which is exactly where you'll find it, from Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium to Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium. For Tennessee homeowners, it means a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance lawn that looks incredible from spring through fall. For golf course superintendents and athletic field managers, it means the most versatile bermuda available — equally at home on fairways, tees, roughs, and playing surfaces.
Top-Rated Wear Recovery
Ranked #1 in NTEP wear tolerance trials. Recovers from damage faster than almost any turfgrass — including other bermudas.
Most Cold-Hardy Bermuda
Specifically bred for the transition zone. Holds color late into fall and greens up 30-40 days earlier than most bermudas in spring.
Exceptional Drought Tolerance
Deep root system pulls moisture from well below the surface. Goes dormant in extended drought but bounces back fast with water.
Premium Appearance
Fine blade texture and dense, dark green color create a carpet-like lawn. Near-zero seed head production for a clean, uniform look.
Best Applications
Where It's Used
Purdue University — Ross-Ade Stadium
Big Ten football
Duke University — Wallace Wade Stadium
ACC football
Georgia Tech — Bobby Dodd Stadium
ACC football
Orlando City SC Stadium
MLS soccer
Multiple PGA-quality golf courses
Tees, fairways, and roughs
How Latitude 36 Compares
Not sure which variety is right? Try our Variety Finder or compare side-by-side.
Latitude 36 vs NorthBridge
Choose Latitude 36 if...
You want the finest blade texture and best visual appearance. Latitude 36 is the "beauty pick" — finer leaf, darker green, near-zero seed heads.
Choose NorthBridge if...
You need maximum sod strength and shear resistance. NorthBridge is the "toughness pick" — used at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.
Latitude 36 vs Tifway 419
Choose Latitude 36 if...
You want better cold tolerance, faster spring green-up, improved disease resistance, and a finer texture. Latitude 36 outperforms 419 in nearly every category.
Choose Tifway 419 if...
You're on a tight budget and 419 is available locally at a lower cost. It's still a solid, proven bermuda.
Latitude 36 vs Innovation Zoysia
Choose Latitude 36 if...
Your yard gets full sun and you want the toughest, most drought-tolerant warm-season grass with the fastest wear recovery.
Choose Innovation Zoysia if...
You have shade (4+ hours is enough for Innovation) and want a softer, lower-maintenance lawn with less mowing.
Maintenance Guide
Mowing
Mow weekly during growing season (May–September). Home lawns: 1.5–3 inches. Golf fairways: 0.5–1 inch. Sports fields: 0.75–1.5 inches. Use a sharp rotary or reel mower.
Watering
About 1 inch per week during active growth. Deep, infrequent watering promotes deeper roots. Highly drought-tolerant once established — will go dormant but recover.
Fertilizing
3–5 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year, applied during active growth (late spring through summer). Split into 3-4 applications. Soil test recommended for precise rates.
Seasonal Care
Greens up in late March/early April (30-40 days before most bermudas). Peak growth May through September. Goes dormant after first hard frost. Can be overseeded with ryegrass for winter color. Apply pre-emergent in early spring before soil hits 55°F.
Latitude 36 FAQ
Is Latitude 36 good for Tennessee lawns?
Latitude 36 is one of the best bermudas for Tennessee. It was specifically bred for the transition zone — the region where TN sits — with exceptional cold tolerance and early spring green-up. It handles Tennessee's hot summers and occasional cold snaps better than most bermudas.
Does Latitude 36 go brown in winter?
Yes, like all bermudagrasses, Latitude 36 goes dormant (turns tan/brown) when temperatures consistently drop below about 55°F. It's alive — just sleeping. It greens back up in spring, and does so 30-40 days earlier than most other bermudas. You can overseed with ryegrass for winter color if desired.
How does Latitude 36 compare to Tifway 419?
Latitude 36 outperforms Tifway 419 in cold tolerance, spring green-up speed, disease resistance (especially spring dead spot), blade fineness, and wear recovery. Tifway 419 was the industry standard for decades, but Latitude 36 has largely replaced it for new installations in the transition zone.
Can Latitude 36 handle shade?
Latitude 36 has the best shade tolerance of any bermuda — it can handle 3-4 hours of filtered shade. But it's not a shade grass. If your yard has significant shade (less than 6 hours of sun), consider Innovation Zoysia or Geo Zoysia instead.
Ready to Get Latitude 36?
Get a free estimate for Latitude 36 Bermudagrass delivered to your property. Available in big rolls or pallets.