Turf Care...

Zoysiagrass Care : April thru Juneby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing  -  Mow the lawn when it first tums green in the spring using a reel mower set at 1/2 inch or a rotary mower set as low as possible without scalping the lawn. Mow the grass before it grows taller than 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches. Leave nutrient-rich grass clippings on the lawn unless they are unsightly or in clumps.

Fertilization  -  Apply nutrients based on soil testing. In absence of a soil test, apply 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet 3 weeks after greenup. Use a complete nitrogen-phosphorus, potassium (N-P-K) turf fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio (for example, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8). Do not apply more than 2 pounds of nitrogen a year.

You need to apply 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, but how much fertilizer do you need to buy? Divide 50 by the first number on the fertilizer bag. For example, if you've got a 5-5-15 fertilizer, you divide 50 by 5 and you get 10. That means you need to buy 10 pounds of fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of lawn.

Watering  -  Zoysiagrass needs l to l 1/4. inches of water a week. If you don't get enough rain, water your lawn. A dark bluish-gray appearance, footprinting, or wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate that it is time to water. Irrigate the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches; this can be determined by probing the soil with a screwdriver or similar tool. On sandy soils, zoysiagrass may require 1/2 inch of water every third day. It is often necessary to water an area for 3 to 5 hours to apply 1 inch of water. Proper irrigation now will help reduce problems later in the summer.

Weed Control  -  Apply preemergence herbicides late February to mid-March. Apply postemergence herbicides in May as needed to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds like white clover, knotweed, spurge, and lespedeza. Products containing two or three different broadleaf herbicides are more effective in controlling broadleaf weeds in a lawn. Be sure the product you choose is labeled for use on zoysiagrass. Wait 3 weeks after the grass has turned green, and then use it only if weeds are present.

Insect Control  -  Check for and control any white grubs.

Disease Control -  Circular patches of tan or brown sunken turf 2 to 10 feet in diameter may appear as zoysia greens up, especially if there is extended rainy or overcast weather. Turf within the affected area thins, and most of the shoots die. As temperatures increase, recovery begins but is slow. DO NOT apply nitrogen until you see that the lawn has started to improve. Control Brown (Large) Patch Disease by mowing to the proper height, mowing when the lawn is dry, and controlling thatch. Applying a fungicide in the spring is not recommended.

Thatch Removal  -  After the grass has turned green, use a vertical mower (power rake) to remove thatch (a layer of undecomposed grass stems) if it is more than 1/2 inch thick. Do not attempt to remove too much thatch at one time because zoysiagrass recovers slowly. Several thatch removals over several seasons may be needed.

Renovation  -  Replant large areas using zoysiagrass sod or plugs. Plugs should be planted on 6- or 12inch centers After plugging, apply a preemergence herbicide that does not interfere with zoysiagrass root growth to help prevent weeds.

Zoysiagrass Care : June thru Augustby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing -  Follow the March-May mowing guidelines.

Fertilization -  Apply 1/2 pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet in late June or early July and repeat in mid-August using March-May fertilizer guidelines.

Irrigation -  Follow the March-May irrigation guidelines.

Weed Control -  Apply postemergence herbicides as needed to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds such as knotweed, spurge, and lespedeza. Do not apply postemergence herbicides unless weeds are present, grass is actively growing, and the lawn is not suffering from drought stress. (See Agricultural Extension Service publication AG-408, Pest Control Recommendations for Turfgrass Managers.)

Insect Control -  Follow the March-May insect control guidelines. August is the best time to control grubs because they are small and close to the soil surface.

Thatch Removal -  Vertically mow in June using the March-May thatch removal guidelines.

Zoysiagrass Care : September thru Novemberby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing -  Mow the lawn using the March-May guidelines.

Fertilization -  Fertilize with I pound of potash (K2O) using 1.6 pounds of muriate of potash (0-0- 60), 2 pounds of potassium sulfate (0-0-50), or 5 pounds of sul-po-mag (0-0-22) per thousand square feet. To determine amount of product required to apply 1 pound of potash per thousand square feet, divide 100 by the third number in the fertilizer ratio. For example, for a 6-6-12 fertilizer, divide 100 by 12. The result is 8.3 pounds of product per thousand square feet.

Irrigation -  Follow the March-May irrigation guidelines. Dormant zoysiagrass may still need to be watered periodically when warm, windy weather prevails.

Weed Control -  Apply preemergence or postemergence herbicides as needed to control winter annual and perennial broadleaf weeds such as chickweed and hen bit. Preemergence herbicides will not control existing perennial weeds. Apply postemergence herbicides only when weeds are present. (See Agricultural Extension Service publication AG-408, Pest Control Recommendations for Turfgrass Managers.)

Insect Control -  Follow the March-May insect control guidelines.

Zoysiagrass Care : December thru Februaryby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing -  Follow the March-May mowing guidelines. Zoysiagrass need not be mowed when dormant.

Fertilization -  Do not fertilize.

Irrigation -  Dormant zoysiagrass may need to be irrigated periodically to prevent desiccation especially when warm, windy weather prevails.

Weed Control -  Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary to control chickweed, henbit, and hop clover. Selective her bicides can be applied in November or December to control annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and several annual broadleaf weeds. Apply postemergence herbicides only when weeds are present. (See Agricultural Extension Service publication AG-408, Pest Control Recommendation Guide for Turf- grass Managers)