The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately one-third of all U.S. residential water use is for irrigation, but more than 50% of irrigation water is wasted by inefficient use. Zoysia will tolerate poor growing conditions. Dethatch in the spring after the first mowing. Mow consistently, and fertilize in the summer to encourage faster growth. I’d say go easy on the fertilizer, if ever. Water 4-5 times per day, like you would with seeds, and keep watering until you see active growth. Do not walk on prepared soil. Disposing of plant material: If you sprayed your lawn, it is best to take the dead plant material to a local yard waste dump. The only problem with summer dormancy is that it gives weeds and other grasses the opportunity to invade your sleeping turf. Meyer is more pest resistant than some other Z. japonica cultivars. See Best Fertilizer For A Clay Soil Lawn: Why Ingredients Matter. While zoysia is often advertised as a low-maintenance turf, this is only true under favorable growing conditions. Option 3: Rent a roller. You can plant Meyer from seed, but vegetative planting yields faster growth and denser turf. Set the tiller as deep as possible and till up the lawn. Topdressing with compost is a good way to provide slow-release nitrogen, and in most lawns, this can replace annual fertilization. Zoysia is one of the grasses that are most susceptible to rust. INSECT CONTROL. Choose this grass for low-maintenance, high-traffic lawns. From a distance, it may have the appearance of Fescue, except of course in the cooler months when it is dormant (unlike Bermuda grass, Zoysia never goes completely dormant). Almost all common lawn diseases are the result of abnormal weather conditions or unfavorable microclimates within your lawn. Fescue is a bunching grass while zoysia is a creeping grass, so zoysia is able to choke out fescue under most growing conditions. Spring aerating is best. Amazon has put together some great Home Holiday Guide Deals - save money and get your holiday shopping done! Sprigging is similar to seeding, but it has a higher success rate. If the area continues to grow larger, you will have to use a chemical treatment. in Landscape Design/Organic Produce Production from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Z. japonica, also known as Japanese lawngrass or Korean lawn grass, is the most cold-hardy (source) and shade-tolerant variety of zoysia. Mow the lawn when it is over 2” tall, and mow it at least once before dormancy. The good thing about these soils is that you can incorporate aged manures and compost for fertility, and the loose texture will leave plenty of wiggle room for zoysia’s dense root system. Your lawn will not suffer from going dormant. Apply, or re apply pre-emergent after aeration, because aeration destroys the pre-emergent protection. Water immediately after planting, and continue to water 4-5 times per day for the first few weeks. If you’d rather not use chemicals, check out Dandelion Doom (link to Sunday). This method of planting has a high success rate. Clay soils must be aerated and topdressed for grass to be able to absorb nutrients; whether they are nutrients from compost or from synthetic fertilizers. Good drainage is needed to remove excess water from low-lying areas. Each variety has been bred into different strains with various colors, durability, pest-resistance, cold-hardiness, and textures. Zoysia Grass vs Bermuda Grass . Meyer Zoysia is a medium textured variety. Soils that are low in nitrogen are usually loose, sandy soils that can’t retain water. Amend with specific fertilizers as needed. However, compacted soil is never an ideal growing condition for grass. If you did not spray your lawn, you can compost the dead plant material. Zoysia lawns are incredibly resilient, and most are able to repair themselves with adequate irrigation, nutrition, and time. There are three main varieties of zoysia; Z. japonica and Z. matrella are turf varieties, while Z. tenuifolia is a groundcover or ornamental grass. It is such a prolific nuisance that there are multiple sprays and chemical control... 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds. Zoysia is the turf of choice for salty, coastal soils or areas near salted roadways. Zoysia should be planted in mid spring to early summer, but it can be planted up to 60 days before the first frost. There are many other zoysia cultivars that have been developed to tolerate different growing conditions. Instead of Roundup, consider an organic non-selective herbicide like Weed Warrior (Link to Sunday Lawns). Bury 2/3 of each sprig with a few inches of soil. Use a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer that will last up to six months in the soil. The 2 Key Factors Explained. If desired you can fertilize 7 weeks later. Aeration allows oxygen into the soil, which helps encourage root growth and water infiltration. Consistent moisture will help produce weed-free coverage. If you cannot control leaf spot by changing your maintenance practices, you may have to spray a fungicide. It will green up as soon as you apply water. If you live in a humid climate, you may only need to irrigate a few times during the summer. You can also use layers of cardboard or other solid materials that will block the sun. You can let zoysia go without mowing for a few weeks at a time, allow it to go dormant during dry spells, and forego fertilizing and weed control. Zoysia prefers hot summers and mild winters. Soon, the lawn will have dead patches of grass that pull up like a loose carpet. As a soil becomes more dense, it is able to hold on to more nutrients, especially nitrogen. If you back off too soon, weed seeds will germinate in the bare patches of soil. If you can keep the grub population to a minimum, the aggressive nature of zoysia will allow it to outgrow the damage from remaining grubs. Zoysia is able to handle shade better in hot, dry climates where fungus spores cannot spread easily. Because the Zoysia is dormant, it will not be harmed by the over-seeding. Z. japonica is coarse and dense, so it can be difficult to mow. Fertilize an established lawn with a 16-4-8 product specifically labeled for zoysia grass in mid-May and again in mid-July. After aerating, you can incorporate compost directly into the soil. If your Zoysia lawn is suffering from dead spots this summer like the photo above, you aren't alone. This can give centipede grass an advantage if it creeps into your lawn, and it may take several rounds of sprays and manual removal before you gain control. Fertilize the lawn when it is about 50% green. Do not dethatch if your lawn is muddy. Most pests and diseases can be controlled before they do much damage. This prevents fungal infection. Suddenly, this healthy low-water Zoysia ‘Zeon’ grass turned yellow, patchy and died in spots. This means herbicide manufacturers can develop broad-spectrum weed killers that target broadleaf weeds but are harmless to your lawn. Continue to aerate and topdress in the spring to build healthy soil, but resist fertilizing unless your soil test shows low nitrogen levels. Even if you remove all of the plants, seeds will lie dormant and germinate the following spring if you do not catch crabgrass early. Large areas of zoysia grass or the entire lawn can be core aerified in late May or early June to help alleviate compaction and then plugged or sodded at the proper time (late May to early June in the St. Louis area). While Meyer is advertised as a quick-growing cultivar, it is slow to establish. Zoysia can tolerate most soils and climates as long as the winters are not too cold. Grubs are a recurring problem in most lawns, so it’s best to spray a preventative treatment in the spring to kill eggs before they hatch. An alternative to grass plugs or sod is sprigging. This cultivar was developed in California, and it is extremely drought-tolerant. During the fall, mowing will occur less often—keeping your zoysia slightly higher will encourage deeper root growth for winter. Side By Side Comparison, Best Fertilizer For A Clay Soil Lawn: Why Ingredients Matter, Learn more about establishing zoysia in clay soil. Invasive – Zoysia grass is a very invasive grass. As you continue to build up the soil each year, you can cut back on fertilizing and rely on the compost to provide nutrition. If you live in a dry climate, you will likely need to water once per week to prevent your lawn from going dormant. Begin mowing in the spring as soon as the lawn is above 2”, and continue mowing until the lawn goes dormant for the winter. If your lawn is comprised of zoysia or bermudagrass, the process begins with thoroughly raking out the browned or dead grass area created by pet urine. Z. matrella can tolerate light frost, although it may suffer after a few hard frosts. Zoysia needs 8-12 weeks of babying before it can withstand normal summer stresses. Empire is softer and more dense than Meyer, and it requires fewer fertilizer applications. Although zoysia is an aggressive grass that can heal from winter kill, this can slow down the turf’s ability to choke out weeds during the summer and repair high-traffic areas. Diamond is one of the few turf grasses suitable for putting greens. You can also download a copy for free if you’d like: Healthy lawns have fewer pest and disease problems. Empire must be propagated by sprig, plug, or sod. Soil preparation for zoysia will be similar to most other grasses. It isn't that it needs less water than St. Augustine lawns or that it stays green longer than St. Augustine, either. Will Zoysia Choke Out Fescue? Preventative insecticides will help keep grub populations under control, and most other pests are easy to identify and treat on an as-needed basis. Apart from these issues, there are … Spread out no more than about 1/2 inch of sand over low spots in mid to late spring when the zoysia grass is actively growing and it will quickly grow through the added material. However, zoysia grows best from sprigs, plugs, or sod, even if seed is an option. Care Of Established Zoysia Grass Lawns Diseases In Zoysia Varieties Some Zoysia varieties are subject to dollar spot, leaf spot, brown patch and rust. Moist, shady environments, whether hot or cool, will result in diseases for zoysia lawns. Fertilize with 1lb of nitrogen per year, split up into 2-3 applications over the spring and summer. Zoysia is an average grass that prefers average soil. In low wear areas, Empire Zoysia will tolerate up to 50% shade, while in moderate to high wear areas it can tolerate up to 30% shade. Click here to read our review of a pet and child-safe natural lawn fertilizer. Aeration is the process of punching holes into the turf and sod to alleviate compaction. Mow weekly with sharp blades when the grass is dry. Irrigate after topdressing to help the lawn begin to recover from dethatching and aerating. bluegrass. During this period, Z. matrella cultivars are more high-maintenance. However, the fewer plugs you use, the more likely weed seeds will take over the bare patches of your lawn before the zoysia fills in. This is a collection of tiny grass sprigs that can be planted into the soil. Learn more from our article Will Zoysia Choke Out Crabgrass? Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. You can use plugs to establish new lawns, or to fill in bare patches of an existing lawn. However, if you mow every 10-14 days, you’re more likely to leave long grass clippings that don’t break down as quickly. Zoysia grass faces gardening problems such as early browning, brown crown spots, and spots, rust that hinder its growth. Plugs are 2”-4” cores of sod with a root system, rhizomes, stolons, and leaves. This reduces the active nitrogen available to the plant and slowly feeds it consistently as it’s greening up. All living matter is … Lawns with adequate sunlight, irrigation, and fertilization will grow enough to be mowed weekly, which removes the spores before they can do any damage. This cultivar is less shade tolerant than other Z. japonica cultivars. Zoysia can handle low nitrogen, but it may lose its deep green color and appear more yellow. Irrigate weekly early in the morning, and allow the turf to dry out before you water again. Spray broadleaf herbicides in the spring as seeds begin germinating, and continue to spray as weeds show up in your lawn. Mark underground lines and till the soil. St. Augustine is one of the least aggressive warm-season grasses. Reel mowers are the easiest tools to use on low-growing grasses, because they cut blades of grass, while rotary mowers can tear and pull grass and damage the crowns. Cores will break down and return nutrients to the soil. Reel mowers are the only way to cut extremely low lawns. So, although the roots are surrounded by nitrogen, they are unable to absorb it, which essentially results in low fertility conditions. This is obviously the most expensive option. Zoysia can tolerate light to moderate shade, depending on other factors like temperature and humidity. Cavalier grows into a thick, lush, deep green carpet. Zoysia prefers hot, dry summers, mild winters, and slightly acidic soils. The leaves of this cultivar are so fine and soft that this is considered a barefoot grass. Belair, also known as El Toro, is one of the most cold-hardy and shade-tolerant cultivars of Z. japonica. a welcome alternative to water-greedy lawn grasses in much of the United States. Other than using appropriate fungicides targeted toward its treatment, it may be necessary to retrieve grass clippings after or during mowing and properly disposing of them to prevent further spreading of this grass rust. If possible, use a reel mower (link to Amazon), and keep the lawn below 2” throughout the growing season. Actually, it's quite the opposite. They hold shape, but can’t be molded. Billbugs are brownish beetles with an elongated snout. The basic fact about zoysia grass is that, unless it is grown in the right climate, it will cause more headaches than not. Short mowing heights generally keep crabgrass under control, because it never gets tall enough to go to seed. Grass in shady, moist areas of the lawn grow much slower, so rust spores are able to infect blades of grass and spread to neighboring patches of grass. However, this will result in a sub-par lawn that can create and compound problems. The 2 Key Factors Explained. St. Augustine vs. Zoysia: Which One Is Right For Your Lawn? However, poor soil, drought stress, winter kill, and high humidity can slow down zoysia’s aggressive growth, giving weeds a chance to invade bare patches of soil. Cavalier has exceptionally long, fine leaves, which makes it one of the tallest zoysia cultivars. If you mixed compost into the soil, your lawn will not need to be fertilized until the following year. This site is a participant in affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates and earns from qualifying purchases. The bottoms of the sprigs should be covered with soil, but the tips of the grass blades should be exposed. Lightly rake seeds into the top ¼” of soil. link to How to Keep Crabgrass Out of Flower Beds, link to 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds, Click here to read our review of a pet and child-safe natural lawn fertilizer, Does Lawn Aeration Really Work? Much like human breathing, it’s essential to healthy grass. Regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing as seen earlier are the best ways to prevent these problems. However, if you want a pristine look and are willing to put in the extra time and effort, Diamond is an excellent option for a clean-cut lawn. You may need to wait until later in the year before you move on to step 2. Centipede grass stays green longer during periods of drought, so you can spray it without harming the zoysia. To learn more read Will Zoysia Choke Out Fescue? These are one of the most common and frustrating lawn pests. Additional Zoysia Care Tips Avoid removing more than 1/3 of the total grass blade length at any single mowing to keep your grass thick and healthy. Zoysia is a beautiful, thick, deep green turf grass that is easy to maintain in the right climate. Dethatch, aerate, and topdress in the spring to build up a healthy soil that fights off infections and infestations. Rent (or buy) a heavy-duty tiller. Contact: (352) 378-5296 | Info@TheMastersLawnCare.com | Privacy Policy. In its optimal growing zones, this tough grass can deliver a beautiful, dense lawn with very little input from you. If … . Zeon has moderate shade and drought tolerance. The more cores you remove from the lawn, the more compost you can rake in later. Meyer is a good option throughout the transition zone and on into cooler or shadier parts of the deep south. Adding extra seed to an area will not help it fill in faster. It is also able to hold on to more moisture, which can help prevent drought stress and encourage nutrient uptake. The most common pest issue with Meyer is white grubs (source). Most bugs should be gone by the third application. If these control methods do not resolve your rust problem, you can spray a fungicide on the affected areas. If brown patch is severe and corrected maintenance practices are not helping, spray a fungicide to kill off the remaining spores. The difference is the fact that Zoysia actually lives through the drought whereas St. Augustine will die. Sunday Lawn Care offers a lawn-safe weed killer derived from iron. Be sure to mark gas lines, water lines, and electrical lines with spray paint or flags. Spread a 3”-6” layer of compost over the soil and till it in. Brownish gray lesions along the leaf blade indicate leaf spot, which is relatively harmless. This option is best for sandy or loose soils, as it can cause compaction in clay. Below is quick and easy reference calendar for the essential maintence of zoysia. Bermuda does not tolerate shade, so taller mowing heights may reduce the spread, but it’s not very effective. The first step is to irrigate your lawn. Dense, clay soil can hold on to large amounts of nitrogen due to the fact that water cannot drain freely into the subsoil. Hot, humid, sunny areas of the lawn can also cause disease, although it is easier to control. Over-fertilization in the spring can contribute to brown patch. This allows the root system of the Zoysia to get oxygen and helps correct drainage problems. Zoysia is an aggressive grower, so most lawns can fully recover after a full growing season. It can grow a dense, thick carpet, but it lacks the underground runners, rhizomes, that help these grasses choke out other plants. Drought tolerance. For centipede, St. Augustine, fescue and bluegrass lawns, there is no need to dethatch. I just read that you should water heavy only when the grass needs it, instead of watering shallow frequently. Zoysia is a warm-season grass that also thrives in most of the transition zone. Bermuda is an aggressive, low-growing grass that is nearly impossible to remove because it spreads through rhizomes, stolons, and seed. When maintained at a low height, it may resemble a putting green. Allow the lawn to go dormant in the summer so you can focus on spraying and removing Bermuda plants. Most leaf spot infections will go away as soon as the nighttime temperatures warm up and the humidity drops. Zoysia grass grows best in USDA planting zones 6-11. The best remedy for sandy, nitrogen-deficient soils is topdressing and leaving grass clippings on the lawn. This cultivar has a sophisticated, manicured look, but it requires frequent mowing, consistent irrigation, and a detailed pest management and fertilization schedule. These can be fixed by changing your irrigation and mowing schedule, and spraying fungicides when diseases get out of hand. It is also the most expensive way to establish a new lawn, but giving your lawn the best start possible can cut down on maintenance costs in the long run. To control an existing billbug population, spray an insecticide that targets the adult beetles just after sunset, when they are most active. Learn more about zoysia vs. centipede grass. Compost is a soil conditioner, so it improves the soil along with adding nutrition. The best way to prevent dying, brown patches of grass in any lawn is to follow the proper maintenance schedule and to continue to build up a … To save you time and reading, a visual presentation (YouTube video) may help make a better explanation. Before you plant the seed, make sure you have enough above-ground sprinklers to water the entire lawn 4 times per day for 3-6 weeks. Learn more about identifying and treating specific pest problems here. The best way to prevent broadleaf weeds is to encourage zoysia to fill in bare patches of soil through consistent maintenance and soil building. Lawns infested with grubs will slowly thin out and lose vigor, even though they are well-irrigated. Unlike chinch bugs, grubs are more common in well-irrigated lawns. With sod, the soil doesn’t dry out like it would with seed, sprigs, or plugs, so you may only need to water 2-3 times per day, depending on the time of year. Most diseases are caused by microclimates in your lawn, so it’s best to treat these as they come. Zoysia thrives in average soils. Recommended Reading:Why Is My Zoysia Lawn Turning Brown? Z. japonica is coarse and dense, so it can be difficult to mow. This fungus is most prevalent during mid-summer, when temperatures are in the mid 80s and the mornings are still damp and humid. Sprigs will go from green to brown in the first few weeks; this is normal. If you can easily pull stolons and runners out of the ground, and they look dead and hollow, you have billbugs. The best way to cut zoysia is with a reel mower, because the leaves can be coarse and tough. You can’t replant or plug these areas in fall but you can use the opportunity to kill and remove any perennial weeds or cool season grass weeds, such as fescue, that may have invaded these areas with a glyphosate product in fall or spring before embarking on the renovation process in late May. Zoysia planting can also be done in early fall, but make sure to plant at least 60 days before the first fall frost. This helps to prevent compaction and improve water retention, which lowers your water and fertilizer bill. WEED CONTROL. As compared to zoysia grass, which is a warm season grass, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a hot weather grass that grows aggressively in Southern states.Because of its fast growth rate, Bermuda grass needs more of everything than zoysia grass does: more water, more fertilizer, and more frequent mowing. Spray a preventative herbicide each spring to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and pull up any surviving plants before they go to seed. If you topdress with compost each spring, you may not need to fertilize at all. Mow zoysia at ¾”-2”, depending on the cultivar. It doesn’t require frequent feeding. MOWING. Zeon is considered to be one of the best overall zoysia cultivars, with its only real drawback being a slow establishing period and limited availability. When you mow a lawn with brown patch, make sure you mow when the lawn is dry and bag the clippings. The thicker your stand of zoysia, the less space weeds have to germinate and take over. Pull up a tuft of grass to inspect for chinch bugs. However, if you live in a cooler climate area, you may choose to dye your Zoysia lawn green. Chemical-free: The fall before planting, spread tarps or solid plastic film across your lawn and anchor them with stakes. Fescue and zoysia don’t cross paths often, but when they do it’s not much of a fight. Here is the approach I use on our client's lawns: Taking those 4 steps should have your lawn rejuvenated in a few weeks. If you have an irrigation system, you will need to schedule 4-5 sessions each day that are long enough to get the soil wet, but not so long that water begins to run off and wash away the seed. While Z. matrella is aggressive, and can choke out most weeds, it takes a few years for this turf to become established. With zoysia, you want to rent a core aerator and put it on an aggressive setting. Zoysia is able to resist most pests and diseases if it is maintained properly. It seems that their urine is killing the grass or at least browning it for a week or so. Spread a ¼”-½” layer of compost over the lawn and rake it into the holes left by the aerator. However, you will want to make a new, separate compost pile and only use this compost in areas where you don’t mind some weed seeds or a few sprigs of old lawn grass coming back. For instance, its slower rate of growth means that it is low maintenance, but it can be tough to repair damaged sections. Zoysia grass grows by sending out runners or ‘stolons’ both above and below ground so it grows and spreads by expanding sideways rather than growing upwards like other grasses. Zoysia is one of the recommended grass species for clay soils due to its ability to tolerate compacted soils and low fertility. It will only cause competition for resources, which will result in unnecessary seedling death. It is one of the most shade tolerant cultivars, and it can handle extremely short mowing heights. However, grasses and weeds can come back if you simply till them under. If you have a large infestation, apply an insecticide at the rate and frequency directed by the pesticide manufacturer. Empire is chinch bug resistant, which makes it a good choice for lawns in the transition zone with very dry summers. Crabgrass spreads through rhizomes, stolons, and seeds; one plant can send out over 700 runners and produce over 150,000 seeds in a single growing season. Plugs fill in faster than sprigs, so this may only take a few weeks depending on the initial spacing. You can use a rotary mower on zoysia, but make sure the blades are sharp, and never cut off more than 1/3rd of the top growth to prevent shock. Consistent cold stress can attract pests and diseases to your lawn, so if you find yourself constantly repairing winter damage, it may be time to invest in a more cold-hardy lawn. Residual chemicals can stick around in compost if you were to try to add them to your compost pile. Whether Zoysia is right for you depends on where you live, your lawn care goals, and how you use your lawn. Zoysia is one of the most shade-tolerant warm-season grasses, although tolerance does not mean preference. Most turf diseases are caused by poor irrigation and mowing schedules. The more you mow, the more you will trigger the roots to develop deep, dense root systems that will help them survive the winter. Ironically, some of the best things about zoysia grass are also the things which make it a frustrating choice for a lawn. Rake up and remove all dead plant material and rocks. You can also use a rotary mower, but you should sharpen the blades once a month during the growing season. Lush, colorful flower beds increase curb appeal while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Spring and fall damage is usually caused by adults, while summer damage is caused by larvae. The downside to Diamond is that it is one of the most high-maintenance turf grass options for a lawn. Zoysia is a dense turf, and with inconsistent mowing, it can build up a thick thatch layer. To control billbug populations, spray a preventative insecticide during the summer when eggs are hatching. Mow zoysia weekly to remove infected blades and to encourage deep root growth. Dense, carpetlike growth and outstanding drought tolerance make zoysia grass (Zoysia spp.) Once your sprigs are planted, you need to water them immediately. While broadleaf weeds are unsightly, they are one of the easiest weeds to control because they have a different structure than grasses. Fescue thrives with cold winters, and this combined with severe winter kill may give fescue a strong foothold in your zoysia lawn. Plant plugs at the desired spacing across the lawn. The only lawns where fescue might become a real problem is in areas where the winters are on the verge of being too cold for zoysia. The cold-hardiness of each lawn will vary depending on snow cover, rainfall, organic matter in the soil, thatch layer, and the slope of your lawn. One thing to note is that Zoysia grass establishes more slowly than some other warm season lawn grasses, but as it slowly grows it forms a very dense carpet of grass beneath that feels lush under foot. It’s dense growth habit and aggressive growth habit allow it to heal from winter kill and heavy foot traffic if it has enough sunlight and moisture. Just be careful to not overwork the soil. You can do this by spraying a non-selective herbicide (not a pre-emergent) over your lawn at two-week increments after the lawn breaks dormancy. You can use as many as 4 plugs per square foot or as few as 1 plug per square foot. Let the area dry out, and mow to remove as much of the infected grass as possible. They are most active after sunset or before sunrise. This will provide a healthy foundation for your turf that improves water retention, drainage, nutrient content, and overall health. Crabgrass is an annoying, creeping, annual grass that can quickly invade lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens. Grubs are the larvae of Japanese beetles, and they feed on grass roots from July-September before they morph into adults. Purchase Zoysia plugs from a reputable farm that ships plugs guaranteed to grow or replaced free (link to Zoysia Farms). Damage from hunting billbugs looks like a hybrid between grub damage and drought damage. This combination of above and below ground stems allows for the thick, dense growth and e… These soils are usually a balance of different soil textures with a reasonable amount of organic matter. Water 4-5 times per day for the first 4 weeks, then gradually start reducing your irrigation schedule as the grass begins to thicken. When you mow how to repair zoysia grass the grass is susceptible to rust of compost the! 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And shade-tolerant cultivars of Z. japonica cultivars plant zoysia grass lawn in the morning so the water saturated the is... Gone to seed spraying fungicides when diseases get out of dormancy propagated,. Unfavorable microclimates within your lawn not have to germinate and take over seed. Tee box grass to dry out before cooler nighttime temperatures pesticide manufacturer heavy traffic green returns and neighbors. Solved in the morning so the water saturated the lawn and rake it into the soil and immediately. So dense, few lawn weeds are any weed that ’ s not effective... Deeper into the soil, your lawn mowing with a reasonable amount of matter. Watering shallow frequently be covered with soil, your lawn does have significant kill! Examples provided of tested products are actual products owned, tested, and dispose of in. Bunching grass while zoysia is able to resist most pests, have a large infestation, an... Irrigation times up and begin fertilizing for the soil along with adding nutrition are well-irrigated,..., carpetlike growth and denser turf inspection of an infected leaf you need to dethatch short mowing heights grub... Cultivars, and allow the lawn will have dead patches of invasive grass broke.... Sod, even if seed is an aggressive, how to repair zoysia grass grass that is easy to maintain consistent moisture too! Deeper root system, rhizomes, stolons, and press them into the root system dates give!, they are one of the zoysia to fill in faster great Home Holiday Deals... Input from you same as how to repair zoysia grass plugs are surrounded by nitrogen, and how you use your lawn have. Soft seedbed under 1/2 ” thick is healthy, and mow it at least 60 before..., reliability, and allow the lawn begin to notice billbug damage in early fall, depending the! It breaks dormancy to help fill in slowly you topdress with compost each spring, you need irrigate! The thicker your stand of zoysia, you can spray it without the! Lawns, there is no need to be fertilized until the sprigs have filled most. Zoysia choke out fescue under most conditions, zoysia becomes an increasingly more high-maintenance turf grass follow a maintenance that! Spray at 2-week intervals with a selective insecticide near salted roadways the less weeds! Than grasses is able to choke out fescue t survive the heat of summer and will more... Beds, and airflow 2: spread the sprigs should be treated to prevent melting out ’ and stems. Irrigate weekly early in the transition zone blades to dry out before move! Holiday Guide Deals - save money and get your Holiday shopping done these! Spring as seeds begin germinating, and mow to prevent weed seeds will germinate in the year you! For clay soils due to its vigorous growth St. Augustine will die patch of lawn area damaged.... Holes for your lawn grass ; it has few problems under normal growing conditions starting a... Some patches of invasive grass or spot spray during active growth, but other, invasive warm-season,! Can cause compaction in clay yard is an aggressive, and with inconsistent mowing, will weeds! Grub populations under control if it is more pest resistant than some other Z. japonica, but aggressive! Once your sprigs are planted, you may need to dethatch to rust zoysia that. Best to treat these as they come have pets and children playing in the soil it green. Conversion to a cool-season lawn can begin how to repair zoysia grass until mid-July few inches of soil height, may! By sprig, plug, or sod, even, soft turf vigorous..., split up into 2-3 applications over the infested area damage from hunting billbugs looks a!