The Joy of Zoysia Grass
Sam Chapman
September 15, 2010
I have lived in the Austin area since 1987 and have planted and cared for four different lawns. I am thrilled that I discovered zoysia grass a few years ago. Previously my lawns had either St. Augustine or Bermuda and there were problems with each. St. Augustine takes way too much water and Bermuda is very invasive.
The house I am currently in had major lawn challenges. The month after I moved in we had over 20 inches of rain in a week. The front yard had been sodded with St. Augustine and it was fine, but the back was just seeded. Much of the dirt literally was washed around the house and down the street.
Two of the last four summers have been a huge challenge for the lawn because they have seen very hot temperatures and extended droughts. So most of the St. Augustine in the front died. The Bermuda that I had in the back after reseeding just went dormant.
I discovered zoysia about 4 summers ago. I literally bought around 10 pieces and cut it into small strips and plugs. I planted it in the bare spots in the front yard and it started to spread. One of the joys of zoysia is that it doesn´t spread fast. This makes it much easier to keep out of bedding areas than Bermuda. It is also quite tolerant of heat and lack of water. Zoysia just goes dormant and then comes back when conditions improve.
As my zoysia spread I noticed also that is a very dense grass. Once a lawn has zoysia established, weeds are generally not a problem. The zoysia chokes them out. Another thing I have done over time is take small plugs out of well established areas and put them into areas I want to get going. I simply fill the area I dug the plug from with soil and within a summer it looks like I never took any grass from the area.
One thing zoysia is susceptible to is take-all root rot. This usually appears in spring and early summer as small yellowing circles or irregular patches in the grass. It simply looks completely dead. This disease can be treated with a product called Actinovate.
If you see your zoysia yellowing or not looking a deep green, it may need iron. A foliar application of iron can be made. A better foliar application might be seaweek with iron added to it. This should only be done very early before the sun gets on the grass or in the evening.
If you have a yard to landscape or want to add zoysia to an existing lawn to take over the existing grass, you will probably be pleased with the results.
Author Bio:
Sam Chapman is an Austin real estate agent Sam Chapman wh also enjoys working in the yard. In addition helping Austin home buyers, Sam is active in the community with the Lakeway-Lake Travis Rotary Club.
The house I am currently in had major lawn challenges. The month after I moved in we had over 20 inches of rain in a week. The front yard had been sodded with St. Augustine and it was fine, but the back was just seeded. Much of the dirt literally was washed around the house and down the street.
Two of the last four summers have been a huge challenge for the lawn because they have seen very hot temperatures and extended droughts. So most of the St. Augustine in the front died. The Bermuda that I had in the back after reseeding just went dormant.
I discovered zoysia about 4 summers ago. I literally bought around 10 pieces and cut it into small strips and plugs. I planted it in the bare spots in the front yard and it started to spread. One of the joys of zoysia is that it doesn´t spread fast. This makes it much easier to keep out of bedding areas than Bermuda. It is also quite tolerant of heat and lack of water. Zoysia just goes dormant and then comes back when conditions improve.
As my zoysia spread I noticed also that is a very dense grass. Once a lawn has zoysia established, weeds are generally not a problem. The zoysia chokes them out. Another thing I have done over time is take small plugs out of well established areas and put them into areas I want to get going. I simply fill the area I dug the plug from with soil and within a summer it looks like I never took any grass from the area.
One thing zoysia is susceptible to is take-all root rot. This usually appears in spring and early summer as small yellowing circles or irregular patches in the grass. It simply looks completely dead. This disease can be treated with a product called Actinovate.
If you see your zoysia yellowing or not looking a deep green, it may need iron. A foliar application of iron can be made. A better foliar application might be seaweek with iron added to it. This should only be done very early before the sun gets on the grass or in the evening.
If you have a yard to landscape or want to add zoysia to an existing lawn to take over the existing grass, you will probably be pleased with the results.
Author Bio:
Sam Chapman is an Austin real estate agent Sam Chapman wh also enjoys working in the yard. In addition helping Austin home buyers, Sam is active in the community with the Lakeway-Lake Travis Rotary Club.
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