How to Control Nimblewill in Lawns

When Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season grasses begin to green-up in spring, some home gardeners are dismayed to see brown spots in the lawn. In some cases, the brown spots are dead patches of bluegrass. However, in other cases, the brown spots are a different type (species) of grass that greens up later in spring. One grass species that is easy to spot in bluegrass lawns in early spring is nimblewill.

What is Nimblewill?

Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) is a warm-season perennial grass. Nimblewill is a thin, wiry grass that is pale green or gray-green in color. It spreads by aboveground shoots or stolons, often forming circular spots in the lawn. Nimblewill also spreads via seeds. Plants flower and produce seeds in late summer/early fall.

Nimblewill turns green much later in the spring than surounding turfgrasses in the lawn.
Nimblewill turns green much later in the spring than surounding turfgrasses in the lawn.

Why is Nimblewill Undesirable? 

Nimblewill grows in sun or shade. In home lawns, nimblewill is most often found in shady areas. Kentucky bluegrass doesn't grow well in shady sites. Nimblewill (like most lawn weeds) is most successful in establishing itself in thin, poorly growing stands of turfgrass.

Nimblewill is easy to spot in lawns because it greens up late in spring (typically May in Iowa) and turns brown in early fall. Nimblewill is objectionable in the lawn because of its gray-green color and delayed green-up in spring and early browning in fall.

How do I Control Nimblewill? 

Use a Non-Selective Herbicide or Hand Dig

Nimblewill is difficult to control in bluegrass lawns as control options are limited. One way to control nimblewill infested areas is to completely destroy the nimblewill with an application of glyphosate (Roundup). Another option is to dig up and destroy the nimblewill. Bluegrass or other cool-season grasses have to be re-established by seeding or sodding after the nimblewill is completely destroyed. 

Use a Selective Herbicide

There are very few herbicide options to selectively control nimblewill growing in Kentucky bluegrass or other cool-season grasses.Tenacity (mesotrione) is a systemic herbicide that selectively controls nimblewill in bluegrass lawns. (It is also safe for perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and the fine-leaf fescues.) Tenacity can only be applied by lawn care professionals. It is available to home gardeners. When treated with Tenacity, nimblewill stops growing, turns white, and eventually dies. Three applications (at two to three-week intervals) are usually necessary to control nimblewill. Occasionally, white tips can also be seen on Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season grasses following treatment. This is a temporary symptom, as the grass tips will be removed during subsequent mowings.

Authors:
Last reviewed:
April 2023