Soil Requirements for Zoysia Grass

Soil pH Range

• Zoysia grass must be planted in soil that has a pH range between 6.0 to 6.5, according to the University of Rhode Island. Grass grown outside of this range is unable to properly absorb nutrients from the soil. Test your soil's pH range prior to planting zoysia grass. Dig a 6-inch hole in the yard and collect the soil from the bottom of the hole. Follow the directions on your soil testing kit. Amend acidic soil or soil under 6.0 with limestone. Spread sulfur over alkaline soil or soil over 6.5.

Soil Type

• Zoysia grass can grow in a wide variety of soil types ranging from clay, loam and sandy, according to Texas A&M University. If grown in sandy soil, water the grass more frequently. In fact, gardeners living along rivers, beaches or ponds can expect their grass to perform well in the sandy soil. Grass grown in clay soil should be watered less frequently. Even though zoysia grass will grow on clay soil, it will not perform well in poor-draining soil, according to Texas A&M University.

Drainage

• Avoid planting zoysia grass if you have compacted soil or heavy clay soil. Heavy clay soil will not allow enough air circulation or drainage to support zoysia's growth. To find out if you have heavy clay soil, fill a clay jar with two-thrids water. Pour dirt into the jar until it almost reaches the top. Shake the jar. Set the jar on a flat surface and wait for the dirt particles to settle for 24 hours. If 50 percent of the material is clay, you have heavy clay soil. You can tell what material is what by the order it settles. Clay settles on top, silt in the middle and sand at the bottom.

Other Factors

• Before planting zoysia grass, gardeners must distribute a starter fertilizer over the lawn. Starter fertilizer has a high percentage of phosphorous to encourage strong root growth. Use 20 lbs. of fertilizer with a N-P-K amount of 5-10-5 per 1,000 square feet, as suggested by the University of California. Work the starter fertilizer into the first 2 to 4 inches of top soil with a tiller. Grade the top of the soil with a rake, so that it slightly slopes away from the home and to the driveway or street.