Zoysiagrass
Core aeration
Things to Know About Zoysiagrass LawnsAmong the most beautiful and attractive lawn grasses today are the zoysiagrasses, which are well adapted to the tropical climate. A well managed and properly established zoysia lawn is also very attractive, but the zoysiagrasses need a great level of maintenance.Zoysiagrass for home lawns are also gaining much popularity these days.
However, it’s not a miracle grass as various advertisements tends to present, but it is great to note that zoysiagrass has some unique advantages, making it more valuable for lawns in various situations. Trials, observations and test plantings of zoysiagrass have also been made for many years to determine the desirability, culture as well as the functions of zoysiagrass. If you think that this is the best type of grass for your lawns at home, you need first to be more familiar with it and understand some of its distinctive characteristics.
Why Consider Zoysiagrass for Home LawnsWhen proper maintenance is made, zoysiagrasses make excellent home laws.
The density and the uniformity of zoysia lawn is second to none. Some of its advantages include:- Shoes outstanding tolerance to wear and drought- Grows well during hot summer months- Has a low nutrition requirements- When fully established, zoysia lawns resist weeds and crabgrass well because of their dense growth patters- Has the ability to withstand close mowing from ½ to one inch- Can grow in most soil types when properly maintained- Requires less water as compared to most cool-seasoned turfgrassesThe Disadvantages of Zoysia LawnsZoysia lawns also have a few disadvantages you need to understand such as:- Zoysias are forming a heavy thatch that needs periodic renovation- It shows slow recovery from damage- Zoysias require more fertilizers and need for frequent irrigation- Becomes brown and loses its fresh, green color about mid-October and the color remains until mid-May of the next spring.- Needs vegetative establishment through propagation of plugs or stolons- Established very slowly and under ideal conditions, zoysias may cover one seasons, usually require two to three years.
When sprigged or plugged into an existing lawn, a complete establishment may need five or more years.- Zoysias are subject to fairy ring and rust, but are less likely to have disease than most of the turfgrasses- Becomes flammable when straw and brown colored-
They do not grow well in any shady areaEstablishmentIdeally, zoysiagrasses must actually be planted vegetatively with the use of springs, plugs pr sod. The Zoysia japonica, however, is the only species of this grass for which seeds are available commercially. Success in the method of propagation highly depends on proper preparation of soil.Construction debris and some other undesired vegetation must be removed before grading the lawn area.
It might also be necessary to remove any lower tree limbs to allow better penetration of sunlight and to make mowing and soil preparation easier.It is best to plant the zoysiagrass during its early growing season, which is from mid-May through the month of June. Some of the most common ways of planting zoysiagrass for home lawns include the following:
✓ Sodding: this is a popular establishment method and it creates an ‘instant zoysia lawn.’ To obtain the best results, it is best to use high quality, weed-free sod.
✓ Plugging: placing plugs 2 ½ inches in diameter at eight to twelve-inch intervals is the usual recommendation. Press plugs into a hole with similar size in order to get good soil contact. Never cover the plugs with soil or let the plug to remain elevated. You can use a hard steel plug cutter to cut the plugs.
✓ Sprigging: planting the zoysiagrass by springs requires much work, but it is noted as a valuable method to consider when establishing a zoysia lawn. Fresh and vigorous springs that have at least 2 to 4 node must be planted in rows, 6 inches apart. However, you must keep in mind that sprigging into any existing lawn is not desirable.
Proper Maintenance of your Zoysia Grass
The proper and the basic maintenance for your Zoysia lawn will be dependent upon the fertility of the soil,full sun, rainfall or shadier area. There are also some valuable methods you have to keep in mind to properly maintain the grass and ensure that your Zoysia lawn will remain healthy and attractive at all times.
➢ Fertilizing: to make the zoysiagrass and your zoysia lawn attractive, frequent fertilization is necessary. For a minimum maintenance, you can apply fertilizer every four to six months. If you want to made a high quality and deep Zoysia lawn, applying fertilizer every two to three months is also recommended.
➢ Mowing: If your zoysia grass is fertilized every two to three months, the zoysiagrass will require frequent mowing in order to look their best. If you have the Zoysia japonica species, they must be mowed every two weeks at the height of two to three inches with the use of a rotary mower. Those fine leaf zoysiagrasses, on the other hand, will look their best when cut one to two inches every ten to fourteen days with the use of a reel mower.
➢ Watering: it is important to always water zoysiagrasses, most especially during prolonged droughts. This must be done when the lawn starts to show signs of drought stress such as folding leaf blades or wilting. With the use of such approach, make sure to irrigate with one inch of water (about 465 gallons every one-thousand square feet) at the first sign of wilting.
Pest Problems
The hunting billbugs are the most serious insects that may affect the quality and beauty of the zoysiagrasses. They damage the grass by destroying its root system that leads to a lawn with irregular brown patches. Periodic chemical control may be needed to eliminate these pests. However, the most serious pests on these grasses are the nematodes that attack the grass roots. With the use of the right pesticides, it is always possible for you to protect your zoysia lawn.
Remember that when using lawn care treatments and products, always follow the package direction about proper cleaning, application procedures, protective equipment as well as safety precautions.
For more information about Zoysiagrass please contact Perfect Leaf Management. PLM Environmentally Proactively Smart® programs will insure the health and protection of your Zoysia lawn exceeds your expectation!