Zoysia grass is one of the most popular warm season grasses grown across the Southern part of the United States. Zoysia grass can be purchased in sod, plugs, sprigs, or seed. There are very few varieties in seed form. Zenith zoysia, Compadre, and Panda are the three most popular varieties of zoysia that can be purchased by seed. Zoysia is a warm season grass so it will turn brown and go dormant in the winter. We do not recommend zoysia grass in cool season areas. Zoysia has an invasive root system that can crossover into your neighbors bluegrass lawn. The bluegrass will remain green most of the year, but the Zoysia turns brown as soon as temperatures cool and does not turn green again until late spring.
Zoysia grass, when it's growing nicely, gives you a dense, cushiony turf that is often used for high traffic areas where turf is desired. Zoysia grass can be so dense, it will keep weeds out and can even be difficult to overseed due to the fact the seed can not make it down to the soil. Zoysia grass prefers full sun, but will tolerate light shade. It is more shade tolerant then bermuda grass, but not as shade tolerant as St. Augustine grass.
Zoysia grass is extremely drought tolerant. Although it does turn straw colored under severe drought conditions, it has the capacity to respond to subsequent irrigation or rainfall. Its water requirements are similar to those of Bermudagrass. The leaf blades of Zoysia grass are among the first to roll under drought conditions, thus it tends to conserve moisture more effectively than other species. Zoysia grass also has a deep root system allowing it to more effectively extract water from greater soil depths. Zoysiagrass is nearly as salt tolerant as Bermuda grass. It is widely grown along sandy seashores where drainage is adequate. Zoysiagrass does not tolerate poorly drained soils whether they are saline or otherwise. Good aeration practices can help prevent poor draining soils. Zoysia grasses are among the most wear tolerant turf grasses. However, if a thin spot emerges, its slow rate of growth gives it poor recuperative potential.
Zoysia Grass Characteristics:
- Shade tolerance: fair/good
- Cold tolerance: good
- Traffic: good
- Rate of establishment: slow
- Fertilization: regular feeding
- Watering: weekly regular, but will tolerate some drought conditions
- Mowing height: 3/4" - 2"
Links Regarding Maintaining a Zoysia Grass Lawn
- Mowing Zoysia Grass
- Irrigating Zoysia Grass
- Fertilizing Zoysia Grass
- Soil pH and Lime for Zoysia Grass
- Aerating Zoysia Grass
- Dethatching Zoysia Grass
- Weed Control for Zoysia Grass
- Insect and Pests problems in Zoysia Grass
- Diseases in Zoysia Grass
- Renovating a Zoysia Grass Lawn
- Planting a Zoysia Grass Lawn
Compadre
