Zoysia Lawn Maintenance and Care Calendar
The following suggested management practices are designed as a guideline to assist lawn care professionals and homeowners in the maintenance of most Zoysia grass lawns. Location, terrain, soil type and condition, age of the lawn, previous lawn care, and other factors affect turf performance. For these reasons, the following management practices can be adjusted to suit your particular home lawn conditions.
Mowing
Mow Zoysia at 2 inch height during the growing season. Zoysia is an exceptionally dense turf so mow before the turf reaches 3". Practice grasscycling. Grasscycling is simply leaving grass clippings on your lawn. Glass clippings decompose quickly and can provide up to 25 percent of the lawn's fertilizer needs. If prolonged rain or other factors prevent frequent mowing and clippings are too plentiful to leave on the lawn, they can be collected and used as mulch.
Fertilization
Spring - When grass begins to green up in spring, apply a turf-grade high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 20-4-10, preferrably containing a weed preventer such as Barricade. Broadcast fertilizer using a rotary-typespreader following spreading rates recommended on bag.
Summer - In mid-summer apply a complete nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer such as 28-4-6 or similar. Broadcast fertilizer using a rotary-type spreader following spreading rates recommended on bag.
Fall - In early to mid fall apply a turf-grade Fall Feed/Winterizer, such as 5-5-20, preferably containing a weed preventer such as Barricade. Broadcast fertilizer using a rotary-typespreader following spreading rates recommended on bag.
Irrigation
To maintain a healthy appearance during the hottest months of summer, Zoysia needs about 1 to 1 1/4 inches of water a week. A light green-grey color and narrowing of leaves indicate that it is time to water.
NOTE: Always water during the early to late morning hours and never at night. Watering at night may cause fungal development.
Weed Control
Pre-emergent - Apply a granular preemergence herbicide such as Team 2G in early to mid February to prevent the emergence of spring weeds such as crabgrass. Late spring, summer and applications of preemergence herbicides are also recommended.
Post-emergent - To kill weeds that have emerged postemergence herbicides can be applied. Apply postemergence herbicides only when weeds are present and make sure to wait until three weeks after the lawn is green. Be sure the product is labeled for use on Zoysia grass and always be careful to follow mixing and applications instructions on product label.
Insect Control
We don't see too many problems with insects on Zoysia. On rare occasion we've seen spittle bug infestation. Spittle bugs are small, 1/4-inch size, triangular-shape black insects that have bright red stripes on their wings. Consult with your local nurseryman as to rememdies.
Thatch Removal
If thatch is present and more than 1/2-inch thick, use a dethatcher to remove thatch in May.
Fungus
When planted in the right conditions, there aren't too many problems with fungus on Zoysia grass. Zoysia does tend to develop problems when planted under or near the root systems of large trees or in moisture retentive soils that remain consistently damp. If a fungus is present, daconil, sentinel or eagle are fungicides that may be used on Zoysia grass. It's always a good idea to consult with your local nurseryman regarding disease on your lawn.
