How to: Zoysia Grass

Zoysia is a warm-season, perennial turf grass. The grass is well adapted for growth along ocean coastlines from Connecticut south around the Gulf Coast. Depending on the species, Zoysia has a fine or coarse texture. Originally, from Asia, the durable grass works well used on athletic fields and golf courses. Bare areas fill in slowly due to its slow growth rate. Its drought and salt tolerance makes the turf grass a suitable choice for coastal lawns. Zoysia also tolerates both shady and sunny locations. Gardeners should prepare the landscape as they would when planting other grass varieties.

Herbicide
Rake
Shovel
Hand trowel
Zoysia sprigs
Zoysia sod
Knife
Fertilizer
Mower

Instructions

- 1
  Plant the zoysia grass sod or sprigs in warm weather for proper growth. Wait until the area is no longer in danger of frosts before planting.
- 2
  Plant the correct species of zoysia for your growth and light conditions. Plant the grass in full sun in cooler areas and in partial shade in warmer areas of its growing range. Zoysia japonica is the most cold-tolerant, Zoysia matrella grows slow and remains green year-round in warm areas and Zoysia tenuifolia is the least cold-hardy and has the slowest growth.
- 3
  Clean the planting site. Spray the area with a grass- and weed-killing herbicide if unwanted vegetation growth is prevalent. Do not water the area for one week to allow the unwanted growth to die.
- 4
  Rake out or hand-pull the dead growth from the planting site. Rake away and remove other debris such as large stones, tree limbs or branches. The zoysia requires good soil contact.
- 5
  Fill any holes in the planting site with garden soil. Rake the area level. Zoysia tolerates growing in a wide variety of soils including acidic, alkaline, sandy, and loamy or clay, according to the Texas Cooperative Extension.
- 6
  Water the soil before planting. Continue watering two to three times weekly. Apply 1 inch of water in each application.
- 7
  Dig approximately a 2-inch hole and plant zoysia sprigs deep enough that the top portion of a node is above the soil. Pack the soil around the sprig using your hands. Space multiple sprigs 2 inches apart.
- 8
  Butt zoysia sod pieces securely against each other on the ground. Tamp on the pieces with your foot for proper soil contact. Cut around landscape objects, trees or flowerbeds using a large knife.
- 9
  Fertilize the newly planted zoysia with a 1-2-1 blend. Apply 1 pound for every 1,000 square feet, according to Texas Cooperative Extension. Continue fertilizing with a high nitrogen lawn blend in late springtime, summer and autumn. Apply soluble nitrogen monthly throughout winter in areas where the grass remains evergreen.
- 10
  Mow weekly at a height of 1 to 2 inches, when planted in full-sun conditions. Mow weekly at a height of 3 inches, when planted in shadier conditions.

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