
Zoysiagrass can be established by sod, seed, sprigs or by sod stripping – i.e. installing strips of zoysiagrass sod and allowing them to fill in over time. Complete sodding is the preferred method for establishment given the added timeframe needed when seeding, sprigging or sod stripping.
Can you grow Zoysia grass on a golf course?
Grow a Zoysiagrass Lawn. Zoysia is heat- and drought-tolerant, and produces a thick green lawn during the growing season. Zoysia is a popular grass for golf-course fairways and tees, since it makes the ball sit up high for an easy hit.
How do you take care of zoysia grass seed?
Maintaining Your Zoysia Grass Lawn You can begin to mow your new zoysia grass lawn when it reaches mowing height. Zoysia grass prefers a middle mower setting that provides a 2 to 3 inch cut. Feed your lawn 6-8 weeks after planting with Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Lawn Food.
When can I mow my new Zoysia grass?
You can begin to mow your new zoysia grass lawn when it reaches mowing height. Zoysia grass prefers a middle mower setting that provides a 2 to 3 inch cut. Feed your lawn 6-8 weeks after planting with Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Lawn Food. Continue to feed every 6-8 weeks until the lawn goes dormant in the fall.
Is zoysiagrass good for transition zone?
Grow a Zoysiagrass Lawn. If you live in the Transition Zone -- an area that stretches from Kansas to the Carolinas -- then a zoysiagrass lawn may be a good option for you. Zoysia is heat- and drought-tolerant, and produces a thick green lawn during the growing season.

How do you prepare the ground for Zoysia grass?
Prepare the planting site. Remove any rocks, existing grass or weeds, or debris from the area. If the soil is very compacted, use a tiller to loosen it and increase aeration. Then, pass over the area with a garden rake to even out the bare soil and avoid mounds or low areas in your lawn.
How do you start Zoysia grass?
Zoysia is heat- and drought-tolerant, and produces a thick green lawn during the growing season....Planting Zoysia Grass for a New LawnMeasure your lawn. ... Test your soil. ... Improve your soil. ... Prepare the soil. ... Spread some seed. ... Ensure seed-to-soil contact. ... Keep soil consistently moist. ... Wait to mow.
How long does it take for Zoysia grass to spread?
According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, installing zoysia plugs is a painstaking process with very slow results. Once plugs are planted on a 1-foot center, it can take between 3 to 5 years from them to spread and cover a surface area. To achieve faster results, plant the plugs closer together.
Can you putt on Zoysia grass?
Not only did the zoysiagrasses look good, they also provided an excellent putting surface. The green is mowed at 0.125 inch and Stimpmeter® readings are typically around 10 feet for the new grasses.
How do you encourage zoysia to spread?
2:1310:09HOW TO GET YOUR ZOYSIA GRASS SPREADING FASTER|| Garden TipsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to ensure that this grass spread what you have to do is to actually dig it up those agitate theMoreSo to ensure that this grass spread what you have to do is to actually dig it up those agitate the side around it and this will encourage these soft little stolens to run and the grass is spread.
Does zoysia grass spread on its own?
Zoysia is a spreading grass, which means that it extends over an area by growing its roots rather than by letting out spores or seeds. This is why the roots grow so densely and why it covers the yard so well. The dense root system will usually crowd out other types of grasses and weeds as well.
How do you thicken zoysia grass?
How to Thicken Your LawnManage Your Soil Properly. ... Fertilize Regularly. ... Irrigate Appropriately. ... Mow Regularly. ... Aerate Properly. ... Overseed or Plant Grass Plugs. ... Prevent and Control Weeds. ... Prevent and Treat Disease.
Is zoysia grass hard to maintain?
The Good: The one major appeal is that it is fairly low maintenance. Zoysia grass also makes for a durable lawn as it is resistant to weeds, insects, and diseases that would be bad news for other types of grass. Zoysia is an extremely aggressive spreading grass that can literally choke out weeds.
What is the best height to cut zoysia grass?
1½ inchesFor most zoysiagrass cultivars, turfgrass growers recommend a mowing height of 1½ inches. In partial shade, mow zoysiagrass at 2 to 2½ inches. Mowing heights below 1 inch will require a reel type mower to achieve satisfactory results, and with zoysiagrass, a reel type mower will give better results at any height.
Do golf courses use Zoysia?
Zeon Zoysiagrass is a tested and trusted turf for many golf course groundskeepers. It stands up to heavy use and grows well in many conditions.
What grass is used on golf putting greens?
Grasses are specifically selected for use on putting greens. Bermudagrass, creeping bentgrass and Poa annua are the most commonly managed turfgrasses on putting greens in the United States.
What is L1F Zoysia?
L1F Zoysia is the latest innovation in zoysiagrass and the newest release from the Bladerunner Farms/Turfgrass Group production program. This extremely fine-textured dwarf type grass is ideal for high-end residential and commercial project sites and is an excellent choice for golf course fairways and tees.
What temperature does Zoysiagrass grow?
Maximum zoysiagrass growth typically occurs when daily temperatures are 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher . The rate at which zoysiagrass produces thatch and organic matter will determine how frequently cultural management practices need to be performed.
How does Zoysiagrass affect the fairway?
Zoysiagrass seedhead formation can negatively impact fairway aesthetics and playability. Plant growth regulators can suppress seedhead emergence. Zoysiagrass can be established by sod, seed, sprigs or by sod stripping – i.e. installing strips of zoysiagrass sod and allowing them to fill in over time.
What does it mean when your golf cart is tugging?
Light verticutting or, better yet, mowing with groomers, can improve surface uniformity without causing noticeable lines that are slow to fill in. If the steering wheel of your golf cart begins to tug back and forth when driving down a zoysiagrass fairway, it is a good indication that there is too much thatch.
What is the best zoysiagrass for cold?
There are numerous zoysiagrass cultivars to consider. ‘Innovation’ , ‘Meyer’ and ‘Zenith’ have excellent cold tolerance and are well adapted for the northern portion of the transition zone. In warmer regions, fine-bladed zoysiagrasses such as ‘Zeon’, ‘Zorro’ and ‘Trinity’ have yielded excellent playing surfaces.
Why is Zoysiagrass so good?
The reason for this phenomenon is the high lignin content in the leaves. Zoysiagrasses have the highest lignified tissue concentration among turfgrasses, which is part of the reason zoysiagrass makes such an excellent playing surface that resists wear.
What is the strength of Zoysiagrass?
One of the greatest strengths of zoysiagrass is its ability to produce a dense, thick mat of thatch intermixed with soil. This mat layer provides the support and resiliency to withstand traffic from thousands of rounds of golf.
What are the bugs that are damaging zoysia grass?
There are limited insect threats to worry about when managing zoysiagrass fairways. Billbugs, both Sphenophorus parvulus and S. venatus vestitus, are the most concerning. They can damage the stems, roots and crowns of zoysiagrass, causing severe discoloration and, in some cases, plant death. Early larval stages are small and difficult to detect, and the symptoms can be mistaken for drought stress. Pitfall traps that catch adults as they lay eggs during the spring are the best way to confirm the presence of these pests.
Why is Zoysia grass so hard to grow?
Here in the Midwest, zoysia seed has a difficult time establishing because of our cool soil temperatures. Thus, most people who choose zoysia grass must plant it in plugs or sod during the summer months. This can get pricey.
How long does Zoysia grass last?
One drawback is that zoysia will not stay green year-round. zoysia grass will look its best for about three months of the year. Zoysia lawns lose the desired green hue around mid-autumn. Often, the lawn will stay brown well into Spring, which is a deal breaker for some.
Is Zoysia grass good for golf?
Zoysia is a warm-season grass. Around here, in the Midwest, zoysia grass is a popular choice at golf courses, but not so much for homeowners. However, there are most definitely pros and cons of zoysia grass. The final decision ultimately comes down to what you personally value and strive for from your home lawn.
Can Zoysia tolerate heavy traffic?
Zoysia will not tolerate heavy traffic during these dormant periods. Another negative is the very poor shade tolerance under trees. Yards with sun and shade areas would require shade beds under trees or choosing a different type of grass seed to grow in shade.
Is Zoysia invasive?
The Ugly: The aggressive nature of zoysia can also be labeled invasive. Be prepared to deal with picky neighbors, should your zoysia lawn spread into their property. Zoysia grass is also prone to thatch problems, therefore routine annual de-thatching and aerification are required.
What is zoysia grass?
Zeon Zoysiagrass is a tested and trusted turf for many golf course groundskeepers. It stands up to heavy use and grows well in many conditions. For the homeowner, Zeon Zoysiagrass is also a wonderful backyard turf. It grows thick and healthy in many conditions. It also uses fertilizers you can get at any gardening store and can withstand herbicides labeled for any zoysiagrass. Best of all, a thick mat of Zeon Zoysiagrass mowed to 1”-2” rivals any luxury carpeting for the soft feel under bare feet. Zeon Zoysiagrass will keep your yard green and your family happy. You can find a Zeon Zoysiagrass grower here.
What is the best turf for golf fairways?
That’s why more and more golf clubs are turning to Zeon Zoysiagrass as the best turf for golf course fairways.
What is Dollar Spot in turf?
As the researchers recuded the level of fertilizer, the turfs began to show evidence of Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia homeocarpa ), a pathogen that can kill off sections of turf.
Why is each green treated differently?
For instance, at the Augusta National Golf Club, each green is treated slightly differently to account for the difficulty of its slope and other characteristics. The most important and primary concern of the maintenance crew at each course is that the turf throughout the course is in good condition. But in addition, the crew and club management ...
Is Zeon Zoysiagrass good for bare feet?
It provides a thick, soft feel that is perfect for bare feet. If you are installing sod at home, you can get a great yard with Zeon Zoysiagrass cut at the upper end of its recommended height. For professional groundskeepers working on golf courses, Zeon Zoysiagrass is an excellent fairway variety.
Is grass better than golf?
There is probably no sport in which the quality of turf is more important than golf. At every level of play and each part of the course, the lay of the grass is crucial. The quality of the turf directly affects gameplay, difficulty, and performance. If the grass is not full and dense, or if the mowing is not correct, it can throw off a whole round.
Is grass good for wet or cool summers?
Some types of grass do better with cool summers . Others are better suited for warm, wet summers. And wherever you are, drought is always a concern. The less it rains, the more you have to irrigate, and that can quickly blow up a club’s budget.
The zone of opportunity
Cole Thompson, an assistant director at the USGA’s Green Section, agrees that upfront costs and establishment are the biggest barriers to zoysia breaking out of its niche. Moreover, zoysia’s benefits decrease in warmer regions.
An emerging change agent?
Any way you slice it, zoysia has its work cut out for it to gain a bust on the Mount Rushmore of turfgrass. Some industry insiders note, however, that new and emerging zoysia strands for putting surfaces could become a legitimate change agent.
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About the Author: Sarah Webb
Sarah Webb is Golfdom's former managing editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, where she studied journalism and Spanish. Prior to her role at Golfdom, Sarah was an intern for Cleveland Magazine and a writing tutor.
What is Zoysia grass?
Everything You Need to Know About Zoysia Grass 1 Zoysia is a warm-weather grass that also tolerates cold weather well. 2 This grass type loves sunshine (6 to 8 hours daily) but also grows well in light shade. 3 Grows best in Southern and Transition regions. 4 Can withstand heat and dry spells. 5 An overall low-maintenance grass type that succeeds with little watering. 6 Blades grow densely together making them excellent at withstanding high foot traffic and play. 7 Zoysia grass grows best in USDA planting zones 6-11. 8 The best times to plant zoysia grass are in late spring (once all chances of frost have passed) to early summer. Plant when daily temperatures are consistently in the 70s. Zoysia planting can also be done in early fall, but make sure to plant at least 60 days before the first fall frost. 9 Zoysia seeds typically germinate in 14 to 21 days under good growing conditions. 10 Cut zoysia lower than most grasses—1 to 2 inches is a good height. 11 Blades provide a beautiful green color through the spring and summer but will turn tan or brown when the grass goes dormant after the first fall frost. 12 Seeds germinate best when exposed to direct sunlight, so covering up seeds with a thin layer of soil or straw is not recommended.
When does Zoysia grass go dormant?
Things to Remember about Zoysia Grass. As soon as the weather gets chilly, zoysia grass goes dormant. You'll see a brown lawn until some time around March. If you live too far north, you'll have a dormant lawn for much of the growing season, which is why this grass type is typically not recommended for cooler climates.
How long does it take for Zoysia to grow?
Zoysia seeds typically germinate in 14 to 21 days under good growing conditions. Cut zoysia lower than most grasses—1 to 2 inches is a good height. Blades provide a beautiful green color through the spring and summer but will turn tan or brown when the grass goes dormant after the first fall frost.
Why do you dethach your lawn?
Dethatching is a little different because it removes the layer of dead grass shoots, stems, and roots that build up over time and sit on top of your soil. Too much thatch can keep air and water from reaching the soil and will eventually thin out your lawn.
What is the pH of Zoysia?
Zoysia prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. About a month before starting your new lawn seeding project, perform a soil test to be sure your lawn has the right balance of nutrients for successful germination.
How to level soil for seedlings?
First, use a hard rake to break up large chunks of soil, and remove debris such as rocks and sticks. Then, use a soft rake to create a fine, loose top section for the seedbed. 5.
How long does it take for grass seed to germinate?
Under ideal growing conditions, seeds will take 14 to 21 days to germinate. During this time, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. You can switch back to a regular watering schedule once your new grass is established.
