
Zoysia grass thrives in well-draining soils and a lot of sunlight
- Attach a pulsating sprinkler head to the end of your garden hose and the other end to a water source.
- Stretch the hose to the center of your zoysia sod and plant the sprinkler into the ground at a position where the water spray will reach all the edges of the sodded area. Ensure the sprinkler is firmly in the ground.
How often should you water new Zoysia sod?
When to water new sod?
- The First Day of Watering. When watering new sod for the first time, it’s best to water with a sprinkler for about an hour. ...
- Day Two to Fifteen of Watering. Your newly lain sod should then be kept moist for two weeks after it’s been installed. ...
- Week Three and Four of watering. ...
When to water newly installed sod?
Watering New Sod
- Watering Advice and Basic Guidelines for the First Two Weeks after Sod Lawn Installation. ...
- Before Laying New Sod. Before laying your sod, you should have done some basic things to prepare your ground. ...
- Day 1 of Your New Sod. ...
- Day 2 and the Following Two Weeks. ...
- Mowing your Lawn. ...
- Watering Your New Sod Lawn After The First Two Weeks. ...
- Week 4 of Your New Sod. ...
How to remove old sod and lay new sod?
- Use a utility knife or grass shears to cut smaller pieces. Patch those open spaces accordingly. ...
- To trim, fold the excess sod up. Then run your knife where you need to cut. ...
- Lay smaller rows of sod along the perimeter of flower beds, driveways and walkways. Fill in small seams with more topsoil. ...
What is the best way to lay new sod?
- Lay sod right up against concrete. Do not leave a gap between the concrete and sod.
- Monitor the height of the sod as you lay it. The sod should not be higher than the concrete.
- If the sod is higher than the concrete, remove it and excavate the soil beneath until the sod sits 1/4 inch (1 cm) lower than the concrete.
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Is it bad to fertilize sod?
This helps to establish healthy roots early after planting. That said, traditional fertilizer isn’t bad for your sod. It will work; it just might not be as efficient.
Is sod good for a yard?
Laying sod is a traditional and reliable way to transform your yard into something amazing. If you want luscious grass, it’s the way to go, but you probably have some questions before you get started. Let’s go over the basics of caring for new sod.
Can you lay Zoysia sod on a new lawn?
It should have a strong root system and be able to endure normal treatment. Now that you know the secrets, you’re ready to lay sod. If you want professional help getting the job done right, Zoysia Sod is here for you.
Can you damage sod on the first mow?
Everyone is afraid of the first mow, and there’s a good reason for that. If you don’t know a few tips, it’s easy to damage the sod on the first mow. Fortunately, these few trade secrets will eliminate that risk and leave you in good shape.
Can sod come up?
Chunks of sod should not be coming up, but they will if the roots are too shallow. If you see any sign of that, go ahead and put off the first mow. You can also double check that you raised the blades to their maximum. After your lawn has survived the mower, you’re in much better shape.
What is the Zoysia grass blade color?
Zoysia Grass blades are narrow to medium wide. Their blades are light to medium green in color.
When to dethatch grass in April?
During the month of April, you will begin to see bundles of grass clippings, dead leaves, and roots known as thatch. Once you see thatch collecting on your turf you will need to dethatch your lawn with a dethatching rake.
What is the best way to protect yourself from pesticides?
Before handling any type of pesticides, it is recommended to wear the appropriate personal safety equipment (PPE) to prevent any pesticides or chemicals from coming into contact with your hands, mouth, face, eyes, and feet.
How long does it take for Zoysia grass to grow?
Zoysiagrass is drought tolerant once it becomes established, which can take 2-3 years.
How tall is Zoysia grass?
The mowing height for zoysia home lawns is 1.5-2 inches. It is ½ - 1 inch for athletic fields. Zoysiagrass is very drought tolerant but if you notice grass blades wilting or turning an off-green color the lawn needs to be watered.
What is the best grass for Maryland?
As Maryland summers become hotter, zoysiagrass is an alternative to a tall fescue home lawn for the warmer regions of the state like the Eastern shore, Southern Maryland, and the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area.
How to get grass to go dormant?
Fall. Rake tree leaves and add them to your compost bin or run them over with a mulching mower and allow them to decompose in place on your lawn. However, they should not be deeper than about a 1/2 inch to avoid smothering the grass. Warm-season grasses will go dormant immediately after the first frost of the season.
How to get rid of thatch in lawn?
Remove wild onions with a probe-type weeding tool after a rainstorm while the soil is moist. Thatch buildup can occur. Rent a core aerator or vertical mower to reduce thatch when the thatch layer exceeds 1/2 inch.
Can Zoysia be planted from seed?
Zoysia can be started from plugs (small pieces of rooted zoysia) or sod (expensive but the best option). Zoysia is difficult to start from seed. Seeds are difficult to find, expensive to buy, and are not as easy to plant as cool-season grasses like tall fescue. Plugs are planted like any other small plant. Small holes can be made ...
What is the best way to treat zoysia?
Apply a preventative fungicide labeled for zoysia to control potential fungus. Learn how to select and apply a fungicide in our fungicide buyer's guide .
How much water does Zoysia need?
Zoysia needs 1 inch of water per week. If there is not adequate rainfall, watering with a sprinkler one morning a week should be sufficient.
What is Zoysia Grass?
Zoysia is a dense warm-season grass that is relatively low-maintenance. This beautiful turf does better in cold weather than other warm-season turfs, making it popular in the transition zone of the United States. It is also found throughout the southern United States.
What is thatch in zoysia?
A build up of organic matter known as thatch can develop above the soil within zoysia turf. Because zoysia is such a thick turf-type, thatch can truly restrict the amount of nutrients, water, and air the soil receives.
Why is Zoysia hard to cut?
Because zoysia is so thick and dense, it can be hard to cut with dull mower blades. Keep the blades of your lawnmower sharp between mowings to prevent irregular mowing patterns and uneven clippings.
How long does it take for Zoysia grass seed to germinate?
Zoysia grass seed is available on the market but will take at least 3 weeks for seeds to germinate and up to 1 year for the lawn to establish. Because zoysia grows from both stolons and rhizomes, smaller bare spots in a lawn will fill in over time.
How does Zoysia grow?
It grows by both above-ground stems (stolons) and underground shoots (rhizomes), filling in bare spots. Zoysia is slow to establish from seed or plugs but will grow dense once roots take hold. The deep roots conserve moisture and help resist drought. Zoysiagrass prefers sun but can handle light shade.
How to keep Zoysia grass out of my yard?
You can accomplish this by installing lawn edging that zoysia is unable to get through, such as plastic or aluminum. Place the edging in the ground at least 6 inches (15 cm.) deep with another 2 or 3 inches (5-8 cm.) above the ground to help keep zoysia within its boundaries.
When to apply herbicide to lawn?
While herbicide treatments usually begin in late summer, to achieve the best results, apply the herbicide while the grass is still green and actively growing.
Is Zoysia grass drought tolerant?
Image by Gardening Know How. While zoysia grass is drought tolerant , holds up well to foot traffic, and provides thick coverage to lawn areas, these same qualities can also pose problems to homeowners. With its quick-spreading growth habit, zoysia grass can oftentimes invade and choke out neighboring yards and gardens.
Can Zoysia grass be removed?
With its quick-spreading growth habit, zoysia grass can oftentimes invade and choke out neighboring yards and gardens. Therefore , it may be necessary to contain zoysia or even remove the grass to keep it under control.
Can you remove grass with a sod cutter?
For those looking for a non-chemical form of removal, the only option is to remove the grass altogether with a sod cutter. This method works for both large and small areas, however, you may find that smaller areas make the task much easier to accomplish.
Is Zoysia grass good for lawns?
Zoysia grass is a great choice for warmer climates and large lawns where it is free to creep about without invading other nearby areas. However, for those that have already been ‘invaded’ by this quick spreader, containing zoysia grass or removing it altogether may be your only recourse.
How to control mole crickets in zoysia grass?
Insect Control: Cold winter temperatures will usually keep insect problems in zoysiagrass at bay. As temperatures start to warm in late spring, monitor for mole cricket activity. If mole cricket activity is observed, apply a lawn insecticide if damage is excessive. If the damage is minimal, wait before applying an insecticide. This is not the best time to apply an insecticide for insect control because of cool soil temperatures and reduced insect activity. However, an early warm-up can lead to significant mole cricket activity. Heavy populations can be reduced through appropriately timed insecticide treatments during this period. For more information on mole crickets, see HGIC 2155, Mole Cricket Management in Turfgrass.
When does zoysia grass green up?
It is not unusual for zoysiagrass to green up and be burnt back several times during the late winter or early spring due to late season frosts. Because of possible injury to the lawn and the potential fire hazard, do not burn off zoysiagrass to remove excessive debris. For more information on mowing, refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns.
How to control white grubs in lawn?
If grubs (the white larvae of beetles, such as Japanese beetles) have been a problem in previous years, monitor the grubs by cutting a square foot piece of sod on three sides and peel it back. If more than six grubs are found under the sod piece, apply a lawn insecticide labelled for grub control according to label directions. For more information on white grub management, see HGIC 2156, White Grub Management in Turfgrass.
How to get rid of dead leaves on lawn?
If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove any dead material left from winter dormancy. Alternatively, the lawn can be hand raked to remove the excessive dead leaf material from the lawn surface. Grass clippings decompose quickly and do not contribute to thatch.
How long after application of herbicide to control grass?
A second application is needed approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the initial application to give season long control of annual grassy and broadleaf weeds. Apply a post-emergent herbicide as needed to control existing winter grassy and broadleaf weeds.
Why is my lawn yellow?
Nutrient Deficiencies: A yellow appearance during the growing season may indicate an iron de ficiency due to excessive soil phosphorus and/or a high soil pH. A long-term approach is needed to correct either cause, but iron can be added to quickly enhance turf color between the spring and summer fertilizer applications.
Can turfgrass be used throughout the state?
This turfgrass maintenance calendar may be used on turf growing throughout the state; however, management practices will need to be adjusted based on the year’s climate and the region where the turf is grown.

Key Points
- As Maryland summers become hotter, zoysiagrass is an alternative to a tall fescue home lawn for the warmer regions of the state like the Eastern shore, Southern Maryland, and the Baltimore-Washingt...
- Zoysia is a warm-season grass that goes dormant and turns tannish-brown in the fall through mid-May.
- As Maryland summers become hotter, zoysiagrass is an alternative to a tall fescue home lawn for the warmer regions of the state like the Eastern shore, Southern Maryland, and the Baltimore-Washingt...
- Zoysia is a warm-season grass that goes dormant and turns tannish-brown in the fall through mid-May.
- One June application of fertilizer per year is usually sufficient to keep the grass healthy.
- Zoysiagrass is drought tolerant once it becomes established, which can take 2-3 years.
Why Plant A Zoysia Lawn?
- Zoysiagrass is an excellent low maintenance lawn in full sun.
- It spreads by stolons (stems that run above ground) and rhizomes (underground stems that take root as they grow) creating a dense groundcover that helps to keep weeds out.
- The blades are wiry and fine-to-medium textured and forms a cushiony lawn.
- Once established it is drought tolerant and not susceptible to diseases.
Planting A Zoysia Lawn
- Perform a soil testin preparation for starting your zoysia lawn. Otherwise, soil testing every 3 years is sufficient.
- Mid-May into June is the optimal time for planting.
- Zoysia can be started from plugs (small pieces of rooted zoysia) or sod (expensive but the best option). Zoysia is difficult to start from seed. Seeds are difficult to find, expensive to buy…
- Perform a soil testin preparation for starting your zoysia lawn. Otherwise, soil testing every 3 years is sufficient.
- Mid-May into June is the optimal time for planting.
- Zoysia can be started from plugs (small pieces of rooted zoysia) or sod (expensive but the best option). Zoysia is difficult to start from seed. Seeds are difficult to find, expensive to buy, and a...
- Plugs are planted like any other small plant. Small holes can be made with a trowel, small spade, or some type of bulb planter. They should be planted 6 to12 inches apart. The closer they are space...
Seasonal Maintenance
- Spring
1. Apply fertilizer after spring green-up according to the University of Maryland Extension lawn fertilizer schedule. 2. Remove wild onions with a probe-type weeding tool after a rainstorm while the soil is moist. 3. Thatchbuildup can occur. Rent a core aerator or vertical mower to reduce tha… - Summer
1. The mowing height for zoysia home lawns is 1.5-2 inches. It is ½ - 1 inch for athletic fields. 2. Zoysiagrass is very drought tolerant but if you notice grass blades wilting or turning an off-green color the lawn needs to be watered.