As we are nearing the end of the Zoysia season, you will want to be sure you are keeping your lawn at the correct height. Each year, our grasses grow at different rates depending on the amount of rainfall we receive and amount of sunlight our grasses get. Due to this, the mowing season and frequency varies depending on your location.
Mowing your grass too short can result in numerous issues. We recommend keeping Zoysia mowed between 1 ½” to 3”. You should never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade. Removing too much causes the root system to use most of its energy to repair itself rather than growing healthier green shoots. Mowing some grasses too short can expose the stem tissue of the grass, causing it to turn a brownish-yellow color. The heat of the summer may start to burn those grasses because they have been too exposed to the sunlight and heat; although this will not usually happen for Zoysia because it thrives in the hot and dry conditions.
Not mowing your grass enough could also be very destructive to your lawn. Because the grass will be so high, the mower may actually just lay the grass blades down rather than cut them. This may then prevent the grass underneath from getting enough sunlight and moisture, which may cause it to die out.
In conclusion, be sure to keep your Zoysia lawn mowed between 1 ½” and 3”. Never mow more than 1/3 of your grass blade at any given time. You can use any mower to keep your lawn looking neat, but it is very important to keep the cutting blade sharp for the best results. Nicest of all, Zoysia is a very slow growing grass, so it will reduce your mowing frequency considerably.