How to Care for Zeon Zoysia

Fertilizing

• 1

  Have your soil tested to determine how much fertilizer your lawn needs. Zeon zoysiagrass needs a lot of nitrogen, but too much leads to excess thatch and invasion by other grass species. Your local cooperative extension agent can advise you on where to get a soil test.

• 2

  Split the amount of fertilizer indicated on your soil analysis into two applications. Apply the first half when the lawn begins to green up in spring, and the second half in late summer. Apply the fertilizer when the grass is dry.

• 3

  Spread the fertilizer evenly over the lawn using a mechanical spreader. Move across the lawn in two different directions. For example, if you apply the fertilizer walking in a north-south direction across the lawn, make a second application in an east-west direction.

Watering

• 4

  Water a Zeon zoysiagrass lawn to a depth of at least 6 inches when signs indicate water stress. Look for rolling or wilting leaves and a deep, bluish-gray color to indicate that the lawn needs water.

• 5

  Water slowly to allow the water to penetrate into the soil rather than running off.

• 6

  Dig a hole with a hand spade or bulb planter to check for moisture if you aren’t sure the water is penetrating to at least 6 inches.

Mowing

• 7

  Mow Zeon zoysiagrass to a height of 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches.

• 8

  Remove no more than 1/3 of the height of the grass in one mowing. Reduce the height gradually if the lawn is overgrown.

• 9

  Raise the mower blade about 1/2 inch in shady areas and during times of stress.

Dethatching

• 10

  Measure the depth of the thatch before the grass begins to green up in spring. Use a dethatcher on the lawn when the depth of the thatch exceeds 1/2 inch.

• 11

  Run the dethatcher over the lawn once, following the instructions for your equipment.

• 12

  Top-dressing is an alternative method to control thatch in Zeon zoysiagrass lawns. Apply 1/4 inch of topsoil over the top of the lawn.