How to Plant & Grow a Zoysia Grass Lawn

Know Your Sunlight

Zoysia grass can tolerate partial shade, but it will grow slower and require more water. One of the best ways to tell if your yard receives enough sunlight is to observe it during different times of day. If any area of your lawn doesn’t receive at least six hours of direct sunlight every day, it may not be an ideal spot for growing zoysia grass.

Improve the Soil Conditions

How do you improve soil conditions?

While Zoysia grass is a hardy plant, it won’t survive in boggy or soggy soil. If the ground is too wet, the roots will rot and your plants will die. To test your soil drainage, dig a hole that’s at least six inches wide and deep. Fill the hole with water and let it drain out completely (about 12 hours). If water doesn’t drain faster than an inch every hour, you may need to create a swale around your planting area to divert excess rainwater away from the roots.

If you have clay soil, use a rototiller to loosen it so that it drains better. If you have very sandy soil, mix in organic matter like composted manure or compost made of shredded leaves, straw or grass clippings.

Fertilization

Zoysia grass should be fertilized after planting, and then on a regular basis in early spring and late summer. Use nitrogen fertilizers. Do not fertilize the lawn during the summer months when water is not available to absorb the fertilizer.

Watering

“It’s like a simple 3-step process: Step 1 – find a time to water. Step 2 – turn on the sprinkler. Step 3 – let it happen.”

With that done, you’ll have your grass planted and ready for the best part—the weather! Using that knowledge, you can start watering as needed in order to maintain a healthy lawn year-round. If you do need to water more often, think of this as an opportunity to get more grass off the ground than you normally would. That will allow your grass to become thicker and healthier. Once the weather turns colder and rainier, don’t let your grass die out; instead, think about how much moisture your roots need for survival through those winter months.

Mowing & Edging Frequency

How often you mow depends on the season. In spring, when the grass is growing quickly and needs frequent mowing, you may have to mow every 4 or 5 days. During summer, cut back to once a week. If you’re going away for a week or so during the summer, leave your grass at least 3.5 inches (9 cm) high before your trip. In fall, mow as needed until the grass goes dormant in winter.

Make sure the grass is dry before beginning to mow; wet grass clumps and can be difficult to remove from under your shoes. Keep the blade sharp and always use a catcher or bag on your mower so that you don’t leave clippings on sidewalks and driveways that could kill nearby plants and contribute to weeds in your lawn

Grow a Zoysia grass on your lawn to enjoy its lush green appearance.

Zoysia Grass is a warm season turf. It is a good choice for areas with hot summers and mild winters. Zoysia grass grows well in soil conditions ranging from sandy to clay or mucky types of soil. One of the best features of zoysia is its drought tolerance. A mature lawn can survive several weeks without additional water once established.

A Zoysia grass lawn will have a very lush green appearance during periods of active growth, which occurs during the late spring, summer and early fall seasons when temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees F (18 C.). The slow growth habit of Zoysia allows it to compete well against weeds, but this grass does require some maintenance for it to remain healthy.

The coarse texture of zoysia can be off-putting to some people, especially homeowners who live in areas where there is little rainfall during the summer months. The blades tend to stand upright even when there has been adequate moisture on recently cut lawns, so this grass may not be ideal for folks looking for that perfect pillowy look associated with Kentucky bluegrass lawns