thebestgardentips.comHandy Lawn Maintenance and Fine Gardening Tips

WHAT IS ZOYSIA GRASS?
Zoysia grass is a warm weather perennial grass and can be a lush and dense carpet of grass on your lawn if it is cared for properly. It is so thick and vigorous, it is difficult for weeds to grow in. But this type of grass is not recommended for colder climates.

If you have hard winters like they do in Minnesota, then Zoysia may not be the perfect grass choice for your lawn. When the weather starts to get a little cold, the grass will start to turn yellow. It is a better grass for the moresouthern states with milder winters.

This grass likes sunlight. It will grow in the shaded areas of your yard, but it will grow much slower in those areas.

HOW TO START ZOYSIA GRASS
This grass is usually sold as sod or plugs rather than as seeds. Zoysia grass is a little slow to get started. If you use seeds it could take up to a year for your grass sprigs to start merging together and cover your lawn. If you are patient though, you will definitely like the results from your grass. You will have a dense thick carpet of grass. Once this grass has taken hold and made itself at home in your yard, it is virtually maintenance free. It requires a lot less care than some other favorite lawn grasses.

CARING FOR ZOYSIA GRASS
Compared to other grasses, zoysia grass is very low maintenance due to its thick turf and vigorous, spreading root system.
However, You will want to provide your grass with a slow release fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content in the early spring. Watch your grass and when you notice it starting to come out of its winter dormancy then it is time to feed it. You basically need to apply about fifteen pounds of fertilizer for every 1000 square foot of grass. If you want to you can wait eight weeks and apply another round of fertilizer to your lawn. You can buy nitrogen supplements that are meant to be given to your lawn about once a month. If you chose to use one of these supplements you will need to read the instructions carefully, so as not to over-feed your grass.

In the lower southern regions, billbugs and grubs can give you troubles with your grass. The best thing you can do is call your extension agent and ask what to use in your area.
Your grass is capable of being stricken with such diseases as leaf spot, brown patch, rust, and dollar spot. Your local county extension agent should be able to assist you in correctly diagnosing any disease. They can also tell you what is recommended to treat the type of disease you have. It is always best to ask a professional before you just start trying to treat. Sometimes we treat for the wrong ailment and in the end we do more damage than good.

In the fall if you will apply a winterizer to your lawn your grass will have a less stressful winter. By saving some stress in the winter your lawn will return in the spring faster and greener than ever.
Try to cut this grass where it remains about 2” tall. It seems to thrive better at this cutting height.

Since zoysia grass is so thick, it can also be prone to thatch, so add de-thatching to your list of annual lawn maintenance. This should be done in early spring.

Garden Tip: This is a good grass to start if you want a relatively maintenance free lawn.  It doesn’t require as much fertilizer as other grasses, and it is very difficult for weeds to grow in.  On the downside, your yard will be the last one on the block to turn green.  On the plus side, when all other grasses are burning out in the heat of the summer, zoysia will thrive and be green and beautiful.  You can find plugs online at companies such as Spring Hill Nursery and Gurney’s.  It will take a few year for the plugs to spread and take over your existing turf.