---Stephen in Spinnerstown, PAI saw an ad in Parade magazine touting the wonders of a Zoysia grass lawn. Many types of grass grow successfully in Florida. Water daily until grass sprouts and reaches a few inches tall. Hillary Thompson Follow Hillary. Spray the existing grass with a nonselective herbicide labeled for lawn use. Tips on Planting Zoysia Plugs in Existing Lawn. Will it really replace my existing lawn if I plant one plug every foot like they say? See. Plant a small section of Zoysia Sod; Wait 3 weeks for it to root in; Transplant plugs from that sod to other parts of your lawn; This is the main method we use for plugging Zoysia, and I … How to Plant Zoysia Grass Seed. Kill existing vegetation in lawn with non-selective herbicide. Zoysia is a sturdy, creeping grass suitable for ground cover use, turf grass (in warm climates) and erosion control. If you are unable to conduct a soil test, apply a complete lawn fertilizer according to the recommended rates on the packages. Increase your mowing height in summer months to reduce grass stress. If planting into an existing lawn (grass and/or weeds) we recommend that you consider using Zoysia Grass plugs instead of seeds. Order Zenith seed on-line or pick up at your local Super-Sod store Order Soil3 organic compost from your local Super-Sod store. Step 3. Zoysia prefers pH between 6 and 7. On spots not completely dead, respray with herbicide. If you’re wondering how to plant Zoysia plugs in your existing lawn, here are three helpful steps and tips to follow: 1. Zoysia is a perennial warm-season turfgrass that spreads by stolons and rhizomes. The chemicals in these products may cause seeds to be damaged or inhibit germination. ), allow the clippings to remain on the ground as a mulch covering the seed, which can be beneficial. Apply fertilizer and soil amendment at the test's recommended rates. Unlike some other warm-season grasses, it tolerates cold, so it can work in some areas in the transition zone. Aerate the area thoroughly. Seeding a New Lawn It can also be planted in fall, a minimum of 60 days before the first frost is expected. The ideal time to plant Zoysia is in mid to late spring, after the final frost. Be sure to read and follow all manufacturer’s recommendations and application instructions prior to applying any weed control products and prior to seeding. Sow the grass seed by evenly spreading according to the recommended seeding rates using a drop or broadcast spreader. Level the areas where excess water collects. Planting Instructions Will it really replace my existing lawn if I plant one plug every foot like they say? As a rule of thumb, apply 2 to 4 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet of lawn. - Zoysia seeds also are difficult to achieve germination in low light / shady areas. 2. Mow your slow-growing Zoysia lawn as needed to maintain a recommended grass height of 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Keep planting zoysia plugs across the yard. Prepare the soil by loosening to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Test your soil.. Zoysia prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Don't use any pre-emergent or weed and feed control products 90 days before you plant the seed. Zoysia sod may be installed at any time of year, but the optimum time is when the grass is actively growing, from late spring through late summer. Hold off on mowing the area where you've planted your Zoysia plugs for at least 2 weeks. Common Bermuda grass can also be grown from seed, but it’s not favored as a lawn grass because it … Q. I'm looking at a magazine ad for the Zoysia grass you sometimes talk about, and the claims look too good to be true. Using a standard lawn mower, mow the dead grass close to the ground. Prepare Your Zoysia Plugs and the Ground. Now a plush Zoysia lawn can be yours with seeded Zenith Zoysia. Part of the expectation about growing Zoysia or other common Houston lawn grasses from seed may come from those who move to the Houston area from places where you see Kentucky Bluegrass or fescue. All content copyright © 2019 Pennington Seed, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Seeding a New Lawn Zoysia seed also doesn't germinate very well in shadier spots, and it doesn't establish very well in existing thin lawns. Planting seeds into existing grasses has a HIGH FAILURE rate. Your latest summer or fall Zenith seed planting date is best determined by your growing zone. An established zoysia lawn needs about an inch of water each week. The ideal time to plant Zoysia is in mid to late spring, after the final frost. It can also be planted in fall, a minimum of 60 days before the first frost is expected. After seedlings emerge and grass is established, reduce watering frequency and water only as needed. Rake the soil surface smooth to give the seed an ideal bed to establish healthy roots. After seedlings emerge and grass is established, reduce watering frequency and water only as needed. After all the zoysia grass plugs are planted, water the grass thoroughly. When To Seed. If your existing Bermuda grass lawn is partially shaded, overseeding with shade-friendly zoysia may help to keep your entire lawn green and attractive through much of the year. Bermuda does not tolerate shade, so taller mowing heights may reduce the spread, but it’s not very effective. It is recommended to remove thatch in early spring before the grass begins to turn green again. The ideal time to plant zoysia is in mid- to late spring (after the final frost) or early summer. Thatch may need to be removed on a periodic basis as it accumulates. Drop or broadcast spreader n't excess dead organic matter ( i.e.,,... 'Ll want enough for seedbed preparation and for a healthy lawn thick and healthy zoysia... Can cut lawn down to 1 1/2 inches needs about an inch of water each.. 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