Ordered Zoysia seed

fastpat · 05-08-2006, 10:16 AM

I just ordered 25 pounds of Companion Zoysia grass seed. Pretty pricey stuff, but I have a couple of places I need something that will crowd out broadleaf weeds that so far have apparently been impossible to control. I don't like spraying, and I have a substantial open areas needing attention.

Anyone have experience with going with the newer seed Zoysia varieties. There appear to be just two, Zenith and Companion?

RickM · RickM's Garage

Pat,

My father-in-law redid his entire front lawn with the stuff. Appears to propagate very quickly and prevent anything else from making an appearance. The only deal killer for me is it's going dormant starting in fall and reviving late in the spring. In this state it all turns to a yellowish/white color (what most people would term as dead). Not attractive.

Perhaps your climate or the newer varietys will lessen the effect.

Paul T · 05-08-2006, 10:34 AM

Be careful - my parents had it and it does turn yellow/brown and looks dead in the winter (not sure if all varieties do this but ours did). More imortantly though, once it's in there, it's IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of - it will overtake everything.

M.D. Holloway · 05-08-2006, 11:06 AM

Paul - had the same experience in CT. Fortunitly it doesn't do well here in Texas. We do the Burmuda. St. Augustine is ok but not as resistant.

For the East coast I would think a broad leaf Fesque (sp) or a Blue or Rye grass would be prefered.

fastpat · 05-08-2006, 11:14 AM

The variety I ordered is supposed to remain green longer in the fall, green up earlier in the spring, and tolerate shade better than previous varieties. We'll see about that I expect.

The area I'm planting is perfect for something that spreads, the only area I don't want it is the driveway, gravel now, but paving is in the future. I'll just have to tell it it has limits.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

I've only seen it in sod or plugs. Any idea how long it takes the seed to germinate? I like it. Very drought-resistant. I never did mind early dormancy or late greenup. Less mowings...

turbo6bar · 05-08-2006, 02:15 PM

Make sure you put plenty of water on it. A neighbor tilled his yard and planted zoysia seed (unknown variety). It struggled beneath the shade. He trimmed his oak trees back, and now (2 years later), it's like carpet. I think the sprinkler system was very helpful in making the zoysia spread and fill in. Another neighbor laid zoysia sod in square patches 15 years ago and it still hasn't taken over the entire yard. This yard is not sprinkled. Zoysia seems to really love water.