The following are guidelines for warm-season grass (WSG) lawn management in Nebraska.
Note*: This includes the grass species of buffalograss and zoysiagrass. These grass species are potential warm-season lawn species for Nebraska, but buffalograss is most appropriate because of its greater cold tolerance.
Management strategies are best determined by the effects of environmental conditions on the managed species (and relevant pests). Thus, we recommend using environmental indicators such as soil temperature, soil moisture, growing degree days, or plant responses such as wilt or loss of green color to schedule management. This is a general guide and the following should reference environmental conditions that should be used to adjust each management practice.
Contents for Calendar
Mowing info
Early Spring
March to May
Mowing is not necessary.
Late Spring to Early Fall
May to October
Late Spring to Early Fall from May to October: Mow at 2.5” to 3.5” for the entire growing season, returning clippings to the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the total canopy height at one time. Mowing at the shorter end of the recommended range will require increased mowing frequency. Buffalograss* and zoysiagrass* can tolerate mowing at 0.5”, but this is not recommended for home lawns. Grass growth in warm season grasses will grow as 2 to 4” soil temperatures exceed 60°F. Find soil temperatures in Nebraska via Mesonet.
Mesonet Soil TemperaturesLate Fall to Winter
November to February
Mowing is not necessary.
Irrigation info
Early Spring
March to May
Irrigation is not necessary before active growth resumes.
Late Spring to Early Fall
May to October
More lawn problems arise from over-watering than under-watering. WSG are exceptionally drought-tolerant and often require little to no supplemental irrigation to maintain color in Nebraska. If you cannot tolerate reduced quality from drought stress, supplement precipitation as needed if wilt is observed, but usually not more than 1.0” of water is required per growing month. Irrigation frequency and precipitation are also dependent on the environment and soil type.
Common symptoms of minor drought include light blue-green color and lingering footprints. Since regular irrigation is not necessary, turn off automatic irrigation systems and manually supplement irrigation when necessary.
Late Fall to Winter
November to February
Irrigation is not necessary during winter dormancy.
Fertilization
Fertilization WSG Info
Early Spring
March to May
Fertilizer is not recommended.
Late Spring
May to June
Apply 1.0 lbs. of nitrogen (N) per 1000 ft2 after green up.
Summer
July to August
Apply another 1.0 lbs. of nitrogen (N) per 1000 ft2.
Early Fall to Winter
September to February
Fertilizer is not recommended.
References for Fertilization
References
Frank, Kevin. 2002. Buffalograss management research: The results may surprise you. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online. July 15. 1(10): p. [1-8]. https://usgatero.msu.edu/v01/n10.pdf
Cultivation WSG
Early Spring
March to May
Cultivation is not recommended.
Late Spring to Summer
May to August
Avoid cultivation until turfgrass resumes active growth. Lawn aeration to reduce compaction or dethatching to remove thatch that is greater than ¾ in. in depth will improve overall turfgrass quality. Cultivating through a preemergence herbicide barrier may slightly reduce efficacy.
Late Summer to Winter
September to February
Cultivation is not recommended.
Weeds
Note for Weed Management: Read herbicide label carefully and follow all label instructions. Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP) need a pesticide applicator’s license for application.
Weeds WSG Spring to Late Summer
Early Spring to Late Spring
March to June
Apply a preemergence herbicide for control of summer annual weeds such as crabgrass when the soil temperature reaches 55°F at a 2” depth and after the risk of a hard frost has passed.
Depending on soil type, turfgrass density, and the history of summer annual weed prevalence, a lawn may require a second application 8-10 weeks after the first application for season-long control. The second is often necessary to control later-germinating weeds such as goosegrass or foxtails.
Note: Winter annuals such as annual bluegrass, henbit, and mouse ear chickweed germinate in the fall. They bloom in the spring and die in early summer as part of their normal life cycle. Thus, postemergence control isn’t recommended for winter annual weed control.
Summer
July to August
Postemergence control of summer annual weeds is most successful when weeds are young in late spring and early summer.
Note: Most preemergence herbicides will not control emerged seedlings. However, a postemergence herbicide can be mixed with midsummer-applied preemergence herbicides to control existing young weeds and prevent new seedlings from emerging.
Late Summer
August to September
Mature and/or stressed weeds are difficult to control, so herbicides are often not recommended during the peak summer months. Hand removal with a dandelion digger can significantly reduce weed populations. Summer annual weeds will naturally die after the first frost.
Note: Use a preemergence herbicide in lawns with a history of winter annuals.
Fall to Winter Weeds WSG
Early Fall
September to October
Postemergence control of broadleaf perennials and winter annuals is most successful in the fall. Time the first application around the first frost. Combination herbicide mixtures are generally more successful than those with individual active ingredients.
Late Fall to Winter
November to February
When the turfgrass is fully dormant, nonselective postemergence herbicides such as glyphosate may be safely used to control problematic winter annual and perennial weeds. Missed timing of control can cause damage to warm-season grasses.
WSG Disease Concerns
Early Spring to Late Spring
March to June
Large patch of zoysiagrass is common during cool and wet periods in spring and fall (when turf is greening or entering dormancy). Cultivation may spread disease.
Summer
July to August
Generally, no disease concerns. Leaf spot is possible on buffalograss, but there are currently no management recommendations.
Late Summer to Early Fall
August to October
Large patch may be active in zoysiagrass. A single preventive fungicide application may protect zoysiagrass lawns through next spring, but this is not recommended unless a lawn has a history of damage.
Late Fall to Winter
November to February
Generally, no disease concerns.
WSG Insects
Early Spring
March to May
Generally, no insect concerns.
Late Spring to Summer
May to August
Damaging levels of chinch bugs may sporadically occur in buffalograss or zoysiagrass. Billbug damage may occur on zoysiagrass. For either, insecticide treatment is only recommended with damaging populations of pests. Damage from white grubs is not common. Isolated damage from mealybugs or webworms may sporadically occur on buffalograss.
Early Fall to Winter
September to February
Generally, no insect concerns.
Est WSG
Early Spring
March to May
Establishment not recommended.
Late Spring to Summer
May to August
Begin establishment after the risk of frost has passed. Buffalograss and zoysiagrass may be seeded, plugged, sprigged, or sodded. Establishing earlier in the season may help WSG mature before the onset of winter and help reduce the chance of winter-related injury. During installation, ensure the plant and parts of the plant are moist, not dry or soggy.
Early Fall to Winter
September to February
Establishment not recommended.
Info on Calendar
Originally known as Management Calendar for Warm-Season Lawns (2016), University of Nebraska-Lincoln Turfgrass Science Program, by Bill Kreuser and Cole Thompson.
Edited and Reviewed by:
Amanda Folck, Assistant Extension Educator: Turfgrass Management, Agronomy and Horticulture Department
Keenan Amundsen, Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture Department
John Fech, Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension
Updated March 30, 2026