In the southern United States, Zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica; USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 11) is a specially developed type of grass commonly used for lawns and other green spaces. Gardenista’s experts say that warmer climates are best for growing Zoysia, so expect it to flourish in places like Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. You can’t have healthy grass without fertilizer on your zoysia lawn.
Basics of Zoysia
Zoysia grass is a dense turf that can withstand drought and heavy traffic, making it ideal for lawns. Mowing less frequently encourages the growth of this thick, stiff grass. Mowing more frequently can stunt its growth.
Year-round care is especially important for lawns in warm climates like the southern United States, where mild winters and few winter storms are common. The diverse and variable climates of the southern states, on the other hand, may make it difficult to develop a fertilizer maintenance schedule.
Using a starter fertilizer for zoysia grass is recommended because it is typically grown from sprigs, plugs, or actual sod. It’s common for the starter fertilizer to be incorporated into the soil prior to the planting of the grass. Spread the correct amount of starter fertilizer for your lawn’s soil on the area where you plan to plant.
Zoysia Grass Seed Starter Fertilizer
Seedlings and sod roots can establish themselves more quickly in new soil thanks to the help of a starter fertilizer, which helps grass seeds germinate. In order to get the root system up and running as soon as the new grass is laid down, starter fertilizers are typically high in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (the three main ingredients that feed lawns). The nutrients in these fertilizers are balanced according to the grass mix, the soil nutrients already present, and the local climate. The first step in determining how much and what kind of fertilizer to use is to test your soil.
Place the sod and roll it while the site is still damp from the starter fertilizer. A starter fertilizer is usually used only for new plantings, but if you’re filling in any bare spots, apply it as well.
The composition of starter and maintenance fertilizers is different, so it is necessary to test the soil to ensure that it is properly balanced. Starter fertilizer should not be overused because it can completely kill the grass. Follow the directions provided by the product’s maker.
Schedule for Fertilizing Zoysia Grass
Over the winter, most zoysia grass goes dormant and turns brown, even in the midst of a warm climate. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s team advises against fertilizing when the grass is dormant. Doing so can cause the grass to “wake up” and then be damaged by the cold weather. As soon as zoysia grass emerges from its winter dormancy, you should begin fertilizing your lawn on an annual basis. Between the months of March and May is prime time in the southern United States for this.
The lawn should be a vibrant shade of green by the time summer arrives. Apply fertilizer to the lawn in the middle of summer (between June and July) to keep the green color vibrant. To avoid burning out the lawn, use a fertilizer with a slow-release formula and follow the label’s instructions for calculating the amount to spread on the lawn.
Late summer or early fall is the time to apply another round of fertilizer to your lawn in order to keep it healthy through the winter months. Using a slow-release fertilizer with low nitrogen content is the best option at this point. When the grass is about to go into dormancy, you’ll want to make sure you’ve done your homework and tested the soil.
