Zoysia grass is a popular warm-season turfgrass known for creating a dense, carpet-like lawn. This species is highly valued for its striking, deep green color and its ability to withstand environmental stress once mature. Its established root system provides excellent tolerance to drought conditions and heavy foot traffic. Zoysia spreads laterally by rhizomes and stolons, which naturally helps to suppress weeds, making it a desirable option for residential areas.
Methods for Establishing Zoysia Grass
Proper soil preparation is necessary for a successful Zoysia lawn, starting with a soil test to ensure the pH is in a suitable range, ideally acidic to neutral. Good drainage is necessary for healthy root development and can be improved by incorporating organic matter or sand into heavy clay soils. The optimal time for planting Zoysia grass is during late spring to early summer when soil temperatures are warm and the grass is actively growing.
Zoysia can be established through three main methods, each with different timelines and costs. Laying sod provides an instant, mature lawn, offering the quickest full coverage but being the most expensive option. Plugs, which are small sections of sod, are a cost-effective choice, though they require patience as the grass spreads slowly to fill in the gaps. Establishment by seed is the least common method, as only specific varieties are available this way, and they require intensive initial watering and weed management.
Essential Routine Maintenance
Maintaining the correct mowing height is necessary to keep Zoysia healthy and prevent thatch buildup. For most residential lawns, the ideal cutting height ranges between 1 and 2 inches. Adhere to the “one-third rule,” which dictates that you never remove more than one-third of the grass blade’s height in a single mowing session. Using a sharp mower blade is important because dull blades tear the stiff Zoysia leaves, leading to frayed, brown tips and increased susceptibility to disease.
Watering practices for Zoysia should be deep and infrequent to encourage downward root growth. Mature Zoysia requires about 1 inch of water per week, applied in no more than three separate waterings. A simple way to check for drought stress is to look for footprints that remain in the turf, indicating the grass blades lack sufficient moisture to rebound. Newly established turf, such as plugs or sod, requires light, daily watering for the first couple of weeks until the roots are firmly set.
Seasonal Advanced Care Practices
Fertilization supports the dense growth Zoysia is known for, with applications timed to coincide with the active growing season. The first application should occur a few weeks after the turf has fully greened up in late spring or early summer, typically using a nitrogen-focused fertilizer. Established lawns require between 2 and 4 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet over the entire growing season, split into multiple applications every four to eight weeks. Soil testing helps determine if phosphorus or potassium are needed, but avoid heavy nitrogen applications in late summer as this can encourage disease growth.
Zoysia is prone to developing a thick layer of thatch, a build-up of dead organic material between the soil and the grass blades. If the thatch layer exceeds about one inch, it prevents water and nutrients from reaching the roots, necessitating mechanical removal (dethatching). Dethatching and core aeration to alleviate soil compaction are best performed in late spring or early summer when the grass is robustly growing and can quickly recover. Aeration improves air, water, and nutrient movement into the root zone, benefiting older or heavily trafficked lawns.
As a warm-season grass, Zoysia enters dormancy when temperatures cool, causing the blades to turn a tan or brownish color. To prepare the lawn for winter, stop all nitrogen fertilization six to eight weeks before the first expected frost, as new growth is vulnerable to damage. Although dormant, the lawn still requires occasional watering to prevent the roots from drying out, especially during periods of high wind or lack of rainfall. The turf will resume its deep green color once the growing season returns in the spring.
Diagnosing and Addressing Common Issues
Weed control in Zoysia is managed with a two-part approach. Pre-emergent herbicides are applied in late winter or early spring before weed seeds germinate, creating a barrier that prevents annual weeds like crabgrass from establishing. Post-emergent herbicides are applied directly to actively growing weeds and should be used selectively for broadleaf weeds such as spurge or clover, ensuring the product label is safe for Zoysia.
Zoysia’s dense growth naturally suppresses many weeds, but thinning turf due to improper care can create openings for pests and diseases. Common insect pests include mole crickets, which tunnel and feed on roots, and white grubs, the larvae of beetles that consume the root system. If pest activity is confirmed, a targeted insecticide application is needed, often timed to treat the younger, more vulnerable stages of the insects in mid-summer.
The most common disease affecting Zoysia is large patch, a fungal issue that appears as circular areas of discolored or dead grass. This disease is aggravated by excessive moisture and poor air circulation, often occurring during warm, wet periods of spring and fall. Proper watering in the early morning and ensuring good soil drainage are the most effective preventative measures against large patch and other fungal problems like dollar spot.