Lawn Calendar: Warm-season grasses in Kansas

K-State horticulture expert outlines tips for maintaining warm-season lawns

At a glance: Zoysia, Bermuda and buffalo are the most common warm-season grasses in Kansas. Here’s a plan for year-long care.

More information: Matt McKernan, hortsupport@ksu.edu

March 13, 2026

K-State Extension news service

MANHATTAN, Kan. — While cool-season lawn grasses are more common in Kansas, homeowners in the entire state could consider warm-season turfgrasses, or those lawns more tolerant of high temperatures and drought conditions.

Zoysiagrass, bermudagrass and buffalograss are the most common warm-season grasses in Kansas. Of these, buffalograss is thought to require less maintenance because it can survive with less water and fertilizer than the other two varieties.

The following calendar – provided by K-State horticulture expert Matt McKernan – will give homeowners a good plan for maintaining warm-season grasses in Kansas.

Late January through March

Zoysiagrass and bermudagrass – Spot treat broadleaf weeds, if necessary. Treat on a day that is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce its effectiveness.

Buffalograss – Spot treat broadleaf weeds, if necessary; fall treatments are more effective. Spray early enough in the year that the buffalograss is still dormant. Treat on a day that is 50 degrees F or warmer. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours of application will reduce its effectiveness.

April

Zoysiagrass and bermudagrass – Apply crabgrass preventer when the eastern redbud trees are in full bloom, usually in April. Crabgrass preventers must be watered in before they will start to work.

Buffalograss – Apply crabgrass preventer when the eastern redbud trees are in full bloom, usually in April. Crabgrass preventers must be watered in before they will start to work. Avoid using broadleaf herbicides as the buffalograss is greening up, which may cause injury.

May through August 15

Zoysiagrass and bermudagrass – Fertilize with one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Follow recommendations on the bag. More applications will give a deeper green color, but will increase mowing and lead to thatch buildup in zoysiagrass. Bermudagrass can have problems with thatch buildup, but is less likely.

For bermudagrass, consider 2 to 4 applications. For zoysiagrass, consider 1 to 2 applications.

Depending on what you decide, the suggested timeframe for fertilization includes:

One application – apply in June.

Two applications – apply in May and July.

Three applications – apply in May, June and early August.

Four applications – apply in May, June, July and early August.

Buffalograss – Fertilize minimally, with one application per year in June. If two applications are desired, apply in mid-May and mid-July. Fertilize with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

For all warm-season grasses – Never fertilize past mid-August to minimize risk of winter injury. Late-May through July is the ideal time to establish all types of new warm-season turfgrass. Plant from seeds, sprigs, plugs or sod. June is also the perfect month to core aerate a warm-season lawn, and to manage thatch if necessary. If grubs have been a problem in the past, apply a product containing imidacloprid (May through June) or chlorantraniliprole (May). These products can also be applied in mid-May if there are problems with billbugs or May beetle grubs.

Late July through August

For all warm-season grasses – If you see grub damage, apply a grub killer that contains Dylox. If imidacloprid has been applied previously, this should not be necessary. Grub killers must be watered in immediately.

Apply a winter weed preventer in August to early September to protect against winter weeds such as little barley, henbit, or chickweed. At least one-quarter inch of water maybe needed to activate the weed preventer.

Late October

Zoysiagrass and bermudagrass – Spray for broadleaf weeds if they are a problem. Treat on a day that is at least 50 degrees F. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours reduces the effectiveness of the spray. Use the rates listed on the product label.

Buffalograss – Spray for broadleaf weeds if they are a problem. Look carefully because such winter annuals as chickweed and henbit are small and easily overlooked. Work with your local extension agencies for control recommendations. Treat on a day that is at least 50 degrees F. Rain or irrigation within 24 hours reduces the effectiveness of the spray. Use the rates listed on the product label.

“For all warm-season turfgrass, avoid frequent watering, early spring irrigation, overfertilizing, and too short of mowing heights” McKernan added. “These practices may weaken your lawn encouraging weeds and diseases.”

“Now is a great time to get the soil tested to determine nutrient levels,” McKernan said. “The best start to a healthy lawn is healthy soil. Wait to apply fertilizers until you know what your turfgrass needs. This step can save homeowners time and money.”

McKernan and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.

Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions to hortsupport@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Extension office.

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K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the wellbeing of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.