When to Plant Zoysia Grass: What to Do

Zoysia grass is a beautiful, hardy turf grass with many varieties to choose from. Planting Zoysia grass takes a little know-how and some elbow grease, but it’s worthwhile for the sturdy, lush greenscape potential it provides. Understanding when to fertilize Zoysia grass can help you achieve a healthy, green lawn.

What is Zoysia Grass?

Zoysia is a turf grass commonly grown in warmer mid- and southern US climates and transitional zones. It has a tolerance for light to moderate shade but is better suited to sunny, warm areas. Knowing when to plant Zoysia grass is essential to ensure it thrives. Ideally, you should wait until the soil temperature reaches about 65°F (18°C) before planting. While it originated in Southeast Asia, over the past 130 years the grass has been bred and cultivated to suit areas throughout the United States.

Timing is critical when deciding when to plant Zoysia grass. Planting too early or too late can affect its growth and establishment. The best time to plant is typically after the last frost of the season, when the soil has warmed sufficiently for the grass to root effectively. Be sure to monitor soil temperatures before planting to ensure optimal conditions.

When it’s planted properly and taken care of, Zoysia grass delivers a dense, green lawn that holds up through drought conditions and heavy foot traffic, and it’s not prone to disease and insects, making it a popular lawn choice for many.

Why Use Zoysia?

Along with its beauty and softness, some top reasons why Zoysia is a popular grass include:

Drought tolerance

This grass has a high drought tolerance. Even if it turns brown during the dry months, it’ll survive and recover well in most cases. In general, Zoysia will recover well if damaged.

Durability

Although Zoysia prefers sunny areas, some variations are tolerant to cold as well, making them a good pick for transition zones. You can find both wide- and fine-bladed varieties that’ll grow in sand, loam, and clay soils.

Zoysia has a higher-than-average salt tolerance allowing it to grow in coastal areas. And its excellent foot traffic tolerance makes it a good choice for homeowners with kids and pets, or anybody who wants to use their yard for more than just aesthetics.

Minimal maintenance requirements

One key aspect of maintaining a healthy Zoysia lawn is knowing when to fertilize Zoysia grass. Generally, the best time to fertilize is in late spring or early summer, just as the grass is coming out of dormancy and actively growing. Along with being able to withstand temperature shifts and drought, because Zoysia is so dense, once it’s established, it outperforms most weeds, meaning you’ll have to spend less time weeding.

Planting and Establishing a New Zoysia Grass Lawn

Ready to plant your brand new Zoysia lawn? There are a few things to consider before you get started.

When to Plant Zoysia Grass

For homeowners wondering when to plant Zoysia grass, the answer lies in timing it with seasonal soil temperatures. Late spring or early summer is the ideal time to plant Zoysia grass, as it thrives when planted when the soil is warm (around 70°F or higher), and there’s plenty of sunshine. This temperature range promotes Zoysia grass growth and robust roots.

This timing is also ideal, as it allows the grass a full growing season to fill in through the summer and fall before going dormant for the winter.

How to Sod Zoysia Grass

Using sod is the best method of establishing a strong and beautiful Zoysia lawn. To lay down sod, you first must prepare the soil by:

Clearing debris like fallen leaves, rocks, and weeds
Adjusting the soil pH (Zoysia does better in slightly acidic or neutral soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0)
Ensure the lawn has proper drainage

Lay the sod down in a staggered pattern, pressing down firmly to remove air pockets and ensure their contact with the soil as you go.

Caring for Your New Zoysia Lawn

Once the sod has been put down, it’s time to start your lawn care routine to prevent disease, weeds, or insect infestations from happening. Zoysia is a tough grass, but may still be susceptible to problems like leaf spot, root decline, or cuvularia mold.

Watering

New Zoysia lawns thrive when the soil is consistently moist, with proper drainage. Overwatering can cause shallow root systems, which can lead to poor lawn health and erosion.

Once the grass begins to grow stronger, reduce the frequency to around one inch per week (depending on soil type), and water the grass in the early morning for the best results.

Weeding

Zoysia lawns are fairly weed-resistant once they’re established. If you’re noticing unwanted plant life on your lawn, Zoysia is more tolerant to herbicides than many other grasses, but hand-pulling and organic sprays are best.

De-Thatching and Aeration

Giving your lawn room to grow with proper aeration is key to good lawn growth. Zoysia needs to be dethatched gently, as it takes a long time to recover if damaged. We recommend multiple light dethatching sessions, rather than a “deep clean” all at once.

Aerating your lawn will loosen the soil to allow nutrients, water, and air to reach the roots, for a stronger, more vibrant, drought-resistant lawn. If you don’t have the proper equipment or the time to de-thatch and aerate your Atlanta lawn, call Arbor-Nomics and schedule your lawn service with our team.

Mowing

You shouldn’t mow new grass, but once your Zoysia is established, the rule of thumb is to only mow the top third of the grass at one time (or keep it even taller if it’s in the shade), using a sharp mower blade.

Don’t Forget to Fertilize

Knowing when to fertilize Zoysia grass can improve its health and appearance throughout the year. It’s best to use fertilizer that has been formulated to best suit turf grasses, with the right NPK, or nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium ratio for Zoysia.

As for when to fertilize Zoysia grass, there are three optimal fertilization times: late spring, mid-summer, and late summer, but you should wait 4-6 weeks after installation. If you’re not sure what type of fertilizer to use or how to use it, it’s best to ask an expert, like the professionals at Arbor-Nomics.

Request An Estimate from Arbor-Nomics Today

Experts can help determine when to fertilize Zoysia grass based on your specific climate and soil type.

At Arbor-Nomics, we’re Georgia locals and understand the needs of the average Atlanta lawn. If you’re considering installing Zoysia grass, consider investing in one of our lawn care plans as well, to keep your lawn healthy and strong, year-round.