Zoysia grass lawns will need to be irrigated during the summer. While we do have significant rainfall (on average) during the summer months in the South, it is most often sporadic and undependable. A dry zoysia grass lawn will lose its dark green color and eventually turn to straw. On the other hand, zoysia grass lawns do not like poor drainage and overwatering can be just as detrimental as drought. Realize from the start that it will take a little finesse to water your lawn only when needed. In general, zoysia grass needs 1 inch of water every week if there has be no significant rainfall. This amount will vary slightly depending on your type of soil. Sandy soils will need more water while clay soils will need less. Stop watering if water begins to run on the surface. Wait an hour and begin again.
Try to water deeply and infrequently. For example, apply 1 inch of water on a single day rather than .25 inches a day for four days. Zoysia grass has the ability to grow roots deep into the soil where there is more moisture, but it will not do so if you train it otherwise. Frequent, light irrigation encourages roots to stay near the surface where they are vulnerable to drought.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, take a moment to investigate your control box and settings. Place a rain gauge or straight sided jar on the lawn and turn on the sprinklers. Monitor how much water is applied in a given period. Most systems will have several different types of sprinkler heads, so you might have to test each irrigation zone. Do not be shy about increasing the pre set cycles during droughts or turning off the entire system after a heavy rainfall. While lack of water will affect your lawn's color and growth, excess water can kill a zoysia grass lawn that does not drain well.
If you water your lawn with a manual sprinkler, place a rain gauge or straight sided jar in the lawn to measure the amount of water applied. Try not to apply more, or less, than an inch at a time.
Zoysia grass lawns will occasionally need to be irrigated during the winter to prevent rhizomes, stolons, and roots near the soil surface from drying out. In general, you will need to apply only .25 - .5 inches of water at a time. In addition, water dormant zoysia grass when temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees. Wet soil will freeze and keep soil temperatures close to 32 degrees, while dry soil allows damaging sub 20 degree air to penetrate the root zone.
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
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