ZOYSIA SOD GRASS

ZOYSIA SOD GRASS
ZOYSIA SOD GRASS

ZOYSIA SOD GRASS

Zoysia sod grass is a genus of creeping grasses widespread across much of Asia and Australia, as well as various islands in the Pacific. These species, commonly called zoysia or zoysiagrass, are found in coastal areas or grasslands. Zoysia is a popular choice for teeing fairways and regions at golf courses.

Because Zoysia sod grass can tolerate wide variations in temperature, sunlight, and water, it is widely used for lawns in temperate climates. Zoysia grasses are also used on golf courses to create fairways and teeing areas. They stop erosion on slopes and are excellent at repelling weeds throughout the year. Zoysia sod grasses resist disease and hold up well under traffic.

Some types of Zoysia sod grass are available commercially as sod in some areas. In typical savanna climates with warm, wet, and dry seasons, such as southern Florida, Zoysia grasses grow during the warm-wet summer and are dormant in the drier, cooler winter months. They are popular because of their delicate texture, soft feel, and low-growth habit.

Zoysia sod grass can form dense mats and even mounds that grow over low features. In contrast to St. Augustine grass, Zoysia generally requires less fertilization and is less vulnerable to insect and fungus damage, depending on environmental conditions. Zoysia is a native of Japan and Korea and makes a cushion-like surface/turf. Zoysia’s water requirement is high.

Zoysia sod grass grows slowly, and frequent mowing is not required. For the best appearance, turf experts recommend reel blade mowers for Zoysia.

BLADE TYPE

Fine to Medium texture, with a narrow leaf bladeZoysia

DROUGHT RESISTANCE

ModerateZoysia

ESTABLISHMENT TIME

Slow to ModerateZoysia

IRRIGATION NEEDS

Permanent Irrigation RequiredZoysia

MAINTENANCE LEVEL

ModerateZoysia

SUN/SHADE TOLERANCE

Good: Full Sun; Limited for Shaded AreasZoysia

TRAFFIC TOLERANCE

Good wear; Moderate foot trafficZoysia

FAQ: ZOYSIA SOD GRASS

Zoysia grass spreads by sending out above-ground stems called stolons, and underground stems called rhizomes that creep across the surface and just below the ground, sending out new shoots of growth. The Zoysia grass spreading process is similar to other grasses, but Zoysia spreads more slowly. With proper care, zoysia plugs can spread about 1-2 inches per month in each direction during the growing season. Planting one plug per square foot typically takes about a year to fully establish, while plugs spaced every 6 inches will fill in within six months during the growing season. 

Zoysia grass should be mowed at a height of 1.75–2.5 inches with a rotary mower. Fine-textured zoysia grasses maintained at heights below 1 inch will require more frequent mowing. Because zoysia grass leaves contain more lignin and silica than other turfgrasses, they can be more challenging to mow.

Zoysia grass will grow thicker and healthier with regular fertilization during the growing season. The need for fertilizer with Zoysia grass varies based on the square footage and climate. Zoysia grass requires only minimal nitrogen – about 1 pound per 1,000 square feet during the growing season.

Zoysia grass prefers sun but tolerates some light shade. It is well suited for Florida and is tolerant of heat and drought. It requires little water and is easy to maintain.

Established Zoysia lawns don’t need watering during the winter because their deep roots can access moisture in the ground. However, if you have fewer than a year old Zoysia grass plugs, you should water them about once every two weeks with about an inch of water. You should also water Zoysia grass less as temperatures drop because too much water can cause disease.

  • Zoysia grass will stay brown well into Spring, which is a deal breaker for some. So, if you need year-round color, you may want to think twice before choosing it.
  • Zoysia will not tolerate heavy traffic during these dormant periods.
  • Another negative is the very poor shade tolerance under trees.

For many homeowners, Zoysia grass is their warm-season grass of choice. Zoysia grass is a drought-resistant, low-maintenance, traffic-tolerant lawn for homeowners, where that is the primary goal.

Yes. We recommend aerating Zoysia grass once per year in the spring.

They both have pros and cons. Zoysia grass, especially the EMPIRE variety, has good wear tolerance and recovery. Still, Bermuda sod grass is favored in high-traffic yards due to its durability and quick recovery.

Zoysia grass is a warm-season grass that requires lots of sunlight. It typically needs 1 inch of water per week when it’s not dormant. During hot weather, it may need up to 2 inches weekly. Zoysia is drought tolerant and doesn’t do well with overwatering or standing water. Too much water on Zoysia grass can damage the roots and make the lawn susceptible to disease. 

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