How to Sod Zoysia Over Existing Lawn

Planting

• 1

  Remove plugs of the established lawn using a long-handled plugger or bulb planter. Place plugs 6 to 12 inches apart in a diagonal grid.

• 2

  Replace the sod plugs you have removed with zoysia plugs.

• 3

  Lightly tamp the zoysia plugs into place with your foot, making sure that they have good contact with the soil.

Maintenance

• 4

  Keep the lawn mowed to a length of 1 inch in order to assist the zoysia in spreading.

• 5

  Fertilize from May to August, using 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Fertilize once a month.

• 6

  Water and fertilize on schedule, but don't go overboard. Too much of either will increase the competition between the established lawn and fledgling zoysia grass. With proper care, you can expect the zoysia grass to take over the lawn within two to five years.