posted on September 8th, 2011 by admin
Summer is finally winding down, but that doesn’t mean your Zoysia grass is done for the season. On the contrary, you have a few great months left to enjoy that lush green. It also means you have to make sure to keep taking care of your Zoysia while you wait for winter preparations.
It is best to fertilize your Zoysia during the spring and summer, when the grass is at its peak growing. After August, fertilizing may interfere with Zoysia’s natural preparation for the winter dormant period.
Zoysia’s stem tissue results in a buildup of thatch, a layer of partially decomposed plant material that builds up on the soil — Removing it help water and nutrients get to the surface of the soil. Aerating can also help prevent the buildup of thatch and aid in getting nutrients to the roots of the Zoysia. This is one of the best things you can do for any lawn.
When mowing your Zoysia during the summer, it should be cut low to remove dead leaf tissue. In the fall, you should raise your mower height to about an inch. You can also begin to water your grass less or even not at all. Proper mowing and thatch control can help you build a very drought tolerant lawn.
Make sure you’re prepared to care for your Zoysia lawn during the fall and winter seasons; don’t forget to stop by our Taneytown, MD store before it closes for the season on September 23rd.
posted on July 25th, 2011 by Julie
Zoysia is a tough, hardy grass that thrives in a variety of conditions and environments. Its adaptability makes it ideal for home lawns because it requires little maintenance on the homeowner’s part and can withstand some extreme conditions. But did you know that Zoysia is also favored by golf course superintendents and caretakers of public lawns as well?
Below is just a brief list of some of the more interesting places sporting Zoysia lawns:
Maryland Soccer Complex – Germantown, MD
Zoysia’s lush, carpet-like surface makes an ideal playing field for sports like soccer and football. It stands up to high traffic and damage and still requires less maintenance than other grasses. Zoysia grass is also ideal for playing surfaces because it doesn’t require the use of poisonous chemicals to prevent weeds and other intrusions – Making it a safe play surface for children and adults alike.
The National Mall and Reagan National Airport – Washington, DC
Zoysia grass is an ideal choice for the National Mall because it can withstand the damage caused by heavy foot traffic. It also thrives in heat and stays healthy with little maintenance. Groundskeepers at Reagan National Airport prefer Zoysia grass around terminal buildings because it grows at a slower pace than other grasses and stays lush and green with little watering.
Southwind Golf and Country Club – Memphis, TN
The home of the FedEx St. Jude Classic, TPC Southwind uses Zoysia grass on many of its fairways. Amateur and professional golfers alike prefer playing on Zoysia fairways because the ball tees up nicely – Making shots easier. Course superintendents love that it can withstand extreme conditions with very little maintenance and still stay beautiful.
Aside from these places, you’ll also find lush Zoysia lawns on the grounds of the FDA building and the US Court House in Washington DC and the Naval Academy Golf Course in Annapolis, MD. Zoysia grass as also been used as the playing surface of the Daejeon stadium in Seoul, South Korea during the 2002 World Cup.
posted on June 17th, 2011 by John
“Greening” your home doesn’t have to stop with a switch to non-chemical household cleaning products or energy-saving practices. In fact, you can take your green efforts all the way outside with an environmentally friendly Zoysia lawn.
In terms of sustainability, Zoysia is a top performer with very low maintenance – This helps reduce your carbon footprint through limited fossil fuel and water use as well as fewer fertilizer applications. Zoysia grass also has the ability to filter carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, cleaning the air we breathe. Not to mention, Zoysia’s ability to absorb heat and withstand high temperatures, which limit the movement of pesticides and reduce erosion. So, you can boost your family’s “greening” efforts.
Now “going green” doesn’t just refer to the color of your grass. Instead, it refers to making a positive impact on the earth and the environment with a little help from your Zoysia lawn.
posted on May 12th, 2011 by Steve Schug
Lawns come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, so do the weeds, insects and unwanted grasses that can pop up from time to time. Luckily, the thick growth pattern of a Zoysia lawn can help prevent them from making a home in your yard.
If you do find yourself with intruders, it’s natural to want to get rid of them. However, it’s extremely important to be mindful of the method in which you choose to do this. It is a widely known fact that the chemicals in many pesticides can be harmful to your family and pets – but these chemicals also have the potential to damage your lawn as well. In fact, pesticides have the potential to harm our entire eco-system.
The Environmental Protection Agency has declared many pesticides carcinogenic, and these chemicals have the potential to cause serious health complications in adults and children. Pesticides also pollute rivers and water supplies and pose a significant danger to wildlife. In recent years, though, there have been advancements in alternatives to traditional pesticides (often organic, non-chemical formulas) that can help you rid your yard of a variety of insects and weeds while protecting you, your family and our delicate eco-system.
With a Zoysia lawn, you can avoid pesticides or non-chemical weed killers all together since Zoysia tends to naturally resist many unwanted intruders – protecting you and your family from the dangers of pesticides in your own backyard.
posted on April 27th, 2011 by Steve Schug
As we mentioned earlier this month, understanding the type of soil you’re working with when planting your Zoysia lawn is the first step in achieving the best possible results. Once you’ve determined soil type, it’s time to test its pH level to help you figure out what, if any, extra nutrients your soil may require.
While your Zoysia lawn can grow in a variety of soil types and pH levels, ideally your soil’s pH should be between 6 and 7. Since the pH of your soil determines how well plants absorb nutrients, it’s important to test it prior to planting – You can do this easily with a handheld pH meter.
If your soil tests below the ideal level, it is considered acidic. Acidic soil contains more sulfur and aluminum sulfate than neutral soils – And while acidic soil does help plants absorb iron more easily, it can also hinder the ability to absorb molybdenum.
Soil that tests above the ideal lever is considered alkaline. Alkaline soils tend to contain an abundance of lime or wood ash and help plants absorb potassium. However, alkaline soils can cause difficulty in the absorption of manganese.
Overall, most plants, including your Zoysia lawn, will thrive in a neutral soil. You can alter the level of your soil’s pH by adding granulated lime to raise the pH level or adding small quantities of sulfur to lower the pH level.
posted on April 14th, 2011 by John
While Zoysia grass is incredibly resilient and can choke out many weeds on its own, it is not entirely immune to the occasional weed.
From time to time, you may be faced with a weed – Not to worry! Many weeds can be taken care of quickly with a product like Weed Be Gone or a water-soluble component. However, if you find yourself faced with weeds from the crabgrass family, you’ll need to use a pre-emergence product that will kill the seeds before they have a chance to germinate. It is extremely important that you do not combine a pre-emergent with a weed and feed or fertilizer or use a product that contains both – This combination of chemicals could be detrimental to the health and beauty of your lawn.
For the best results, pre-emergence products should be used in early spring and again in the fall.
To prevent weeds and keep your Zoysia lawn healthy, mow at a higher height, water less and aerate your lawn annually. To retard weed growth, mow your lawn more frequently during the spring months.
posted on April 14th, 2011 by Steve Schug
The soil underneath of your Zoysia lawn supplies your grass with nutrients and water as it grows. While Zoysia grows well in a variety of soils, in order to be sure your lawn will grow successfully and look its best, it’s important to know the type of soil you’re working with.
Sand
Sandy soil is made of larger rock particles that fit loosely together. While this type of soil does not lend itself to remaining moist, its roomy airspaces allow Zoysia’s roots to penetrate and provide quicker root development. Prior to planting, though, this type of soil might require some alteration in the form of manure or compost if it is more sand than soil.
Silt
Silt-based soils are made of medium-sized particles that can often only be seen with the aide of a microscope. These types of soils shed water quickly, but feel slick to the touch when they are wet. They tend to be rich in nutrients and a great growing environment.
Clay
Clay-like soils are made of tiny particle that stick tightly together. These soils hold water and nutrients well, but they are also susceptible to “winter heaving” which can be harmful to perennial plants. It is best to mix your clay soil well with an organic matter to reduce its compaction, making it easier for roots to grow.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is made of organic materials like compost, decomposed manure and shredded leaves. When applied to sandy or clay-like soils, it helps to maintain ideal moisture levels and creates airspace to help roots grow as needed. By adding organic matter in moderation, you alter your existing soil and give your Zoysia lawn the best chance to grow and thrive.
Remember, a big part of keeping your lawn healthy and beautiful is knowing what’s underneath it. Knowing what type of soil you have prior to planting your Zoysia lawn will help it to grow and thrive for years to come.
posted on March 31st, 2011 by Julie
If you’re considering purchasing Zoysia plugs for your lawn, there are a few things you need to consider when placing your order and planting the plugs upon delivery.
Zoysia plugs require less maintenance, produce a heartier lawn and can be planted throughout the growing season. That said it is important to consider the size of the area you’re interested in planting and how quickly you’d like the area to fill in. Typically, we suggest planting one plug per square foot. If you’d like to reduce the amount of time your Zoysia lawn takes to fill in, we recommend planting two plugs per square foot — one plug every six inches.
Need help figuring out square footage and how many plugs to buy for your space? Try this easy to use Plug Calculator. Simply divide your lawn into sections, enter the length and width of each and how far apart you’d like to plant your plugs – The calculator will quickly tell you how many plugs you’ll need.
posted on March 2nd, 2011 by Julie
It’s that time of year again – The temperatures are rising, the days are getting longer and, here at Zoysia Farms, we’ve just harvested the first grass of the year.
With spring just around the corner, people across the U.S. are placing their Zoysia orders. In fact, orders will begin shipping to warmer states in the next few days — Milder states, like Texas and Florida, should begin receiving their orders in early March.
If you already have a Zoysia lawn, once the ground temperature reaches 50 degrees, your grass will begin to come out of its dormant state and return to its lush, green color. To keep your lawn looking its best, it may require a bit of spring cleaning. Removing dead leaves will help improve passage of air and nutrients to help your grass return from dormancy.
Whether you’ve just placed your first order for Zoysia plugs or have had your Zoysia lawn for years, we’re sure you’ll enjoy your grass for years to come.
posted on November 4th, 2010 by Steve Schug
A unique advantage of maintaining a Zoysia lawn is that the grass plugs grow with a deep and thick root structure. This root system allows Zoysia to grow in thick and plush with a carpet-like grass that feels great on bare feet.
Benefits of a Deep Root System:
- Allows the roots to more effectively extract water from deeper soil, reducing your needs to water your Zoysia lawn.
- Amazoy plugs make it easy to plant the grass on steep areas and slopes.
- Since Zoysia grows so thick with deep roots, it crowds out weeds and crab grasses so they are unable to germinate.
- Thick roots work to replace unwanted existing grasses in the lawn.
- Zoysia is able to grow in all types of dense clay soils because the strong roots are strong enough to penetrate the ground and create air passages allowing root development.
- Once the root system is fully established (reaching about 2 feet), the thickness of the turf will work to reduce slope erosion.
For more information about Zoysia’s root system read about the low maintenance needs of your Zoysia lawn, and the process of Zoysia plug growth.
