G2178
Buffalograss Management Calendar
This calendar is a basic guide to buffalograss management in Nebraska and much of the Great Plains. Different locations and weather conditions within the region may alter dates by three weeks or more.
Zac J. Reicher, Extension Turfgrass Specialist
Keenan L. Amundsen, Turfgrass Geneticist
Anne M. Streich, Assistant Professor of Practice
Fred P. Baxendale, Extension Entomologist
Loren J. Giesler, Extension Plant Pathologist
| Dates | Fertilization | Cultural practices | Pest control | Notes |
| May | Begin mowing as needed or desired. | Mow at 3.0 to 4.0 inches as needed to avoid removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade. Mow at this height throughout the year. | ||
| April 15 - May 1 | 0.75-1.0 lb N/1,000 sq ft | Apply preemergence herbicide for crabgrass control. | Most preemergence herbicides are only available with N as the carrier. Try to limit N rate to 0.75 lb N/1,000 sq ft and use products containing 25 to 50% slow release N*. | |
| June | Apply postemergence herbicides for crabgrass and/or broadleaf weeds. | If crabgrass or broadleaf weeds are a problem, applications containing quinclorac will control many weeds. Avoid applications containing 2,4-D once temperatures are higher than 75°F. | ||
| June | 0.75-1.0 lb N/1,000 sq ft | Apply only if nitrogen was not applied with preemergence herbicide. | ||
| June - July | Watch for chinch bug feeding. | Apply insecticide only if chinch bug damage is at unacceptable levels. | ||
| July | 0.75-1.0 lb N/1,000 sq ft | Use products containing 25 to 50% slow release N*. Phosphorus and/or potassium can be applied now if soil tests dictate. | ||
| October 15 – November 1 | Continue mowing until lawn stops growing. | Continue mowing at 3.0 to 4.0 inches until lawn stops growing. | ||
| November 1 - February 1 | Apply nonselective postemergence herbicides as needed for weeds. | Herbicides containing glyphosate can be applied to control green weeds in dormant buffalograss. Be sure that buffalograss is fully dormant and herbicides contain only glyphosate. Weeds will die slowly at this time of year. | ||
| *% slow release N = total % of slow release forms listed on the label ÷ % of total N. | ||||
More information is available at UNL’s Turfgrass Science Program website: http://turf.unl.edu/.
This publication has been peer reviewed.
Visit the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Publications website for more publications.
Index: Lawn & Garden
Turf
Issued August 2012