Warm Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses will always do better during the warmer times of the year. They remain looking good even when temperatures are extremely high and moisture is limited. Warm-season grasses will not begin to show growth until the weather becomes stable and the soil is warm. Their previous growing season's growth usually will turn brown in the fall and require you to prune your plant. When doing so, cut back about 4 to 6 inches in the springtime. Warm-season grasses do not require a frequent division as cool-season grasses do.
Cool Season Grasses
Cool-season grasses will start their growth period in early spring and can potentially remain semi-evergreen over the winter months. Cool-season grasses have better foliage quality when temperatures are cool or if they are given plenty of water throughout drouth periods. If your grass plant is not watered enough during a drought period, they tend to go dormant resulting in their foliage turning brown. They require much more division than warm-season grasses do, to keep them healthy and vigorous. If they are not, they tend to die out in the center. For your cool grasses that remain semi-evergreen, only cut off the brown or winter injured foliage in the spring.