Zoysia lawn question - Ask Extension
My Meyer 52 Amazoy lawn is one year old. It has places where it's developing brown tips and the leaves then begin to fold in half. I'm attaching a pic...
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Zoysia lawn question #869218
Asked May 20, 2024, 10:59 AM EDT
My Meyer 52 Amazoy lawn is one year old. It has places where it's developing brown tips and the leaves then begin to fold in half. I'm attaching a picture. 95 % of the grass is out of dormancy. Thoughts and advice please.
Adams County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello and thank you for your question. I will start by saying that I am not very familiar with zoysia grass as it generally is not recommended for our area. It likes a season that is longer than ours tends to be, so that could be part of your problem. Did you buy the grass as a plug or as sod?
See a brief note on Zoysiagrass on PlantTalk: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/lawns/1511-zoysia-grass/#:~:text=Is%20zoysia%20grass%20a%20good,mid%2DMay%20through%20early%20October
My feeling is that your grass may be struggling to adapt to our area, or it is a delayed response winter cold and stress. Is the space irrigated? Do you know your water source? These could help me narrow down a potential issue.
See a brief note on Zoysiagrass on PlantTalk: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/lawns/1511-zoysia-grass/#:~:text=Is%20zoysia%20grass%20a%20good,mid%2DMay%20through%20early%20October
My feeling is that your grass may be struggling to adapt to our area, or it is a delayed response winter cold and stress. Is the space irrigated? Do you know your water source? These could help me narrow down a potential issue.
Hi Cassey, I planted plugs one year ago. They have performed magnificently, it's been absolutely impressive. I know they're not recommended for our area, however, this strain does very well with down to a -30 degrees and loves the heat. They are very drought resistant once established. You're correct, it likes a longer growing season. In my yard it started to come out of dormancy in April, it was 70% green by May 1st. Last year it was still green until mid November.
My water source is the City of Westminster Water. To get the plugs established I watered more than recommended, fertilized with a hose end sprayer every other week through August, I used the recommended Nutri 20, 20-0-20. The plugs took off like gangbusters. I appreciate your help, I look forward to hearing from you. I know you're very busy, but you'd be most welcome to see the product if you'd like. If I can be successful in getting this established it will need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, be very resistant to weeds and other problems. Here's hoping for the best!
Thank you!
Christy DallmannCassey, I forgot to mention that I fertilized one week ago today, Monday the 13th and I've been watering 3x per week for 20 min for the last week.
Thank you!
Christy DallmannIt does sound as though you're doing the right things. For this time of year you may be putting down a little too much water, so I might double check how much in inches you're putting down with catch cans (tuna, cat food etc. can work well). Additionally, many warm season grasses can wait for fertilizer until June and July. Let me know if the grass begins to look better or if it deteriorates further. For a small fee I can come out for a lawn check, although as stated, zoysia is not my area of expertise.
What's your fee to come out?
Site visits are $50, payable in cash or check. I have availability next Tuesday May 28 or Thursday May 30, generally I can come out between 8:30 and 4:00. You can call me at my office<personal data hidden> or cell<personal data hidden>.
Cassey, great to meet you this afternoon. I appreciate you coming out to look at the lawn and your good advice.
Here is the website for the Zoysia that I have purchased. I trust you find it informative and helpful.
Let me know if you get this email.
Thank you!
Christy DallmannCassey: I'm putting down approximately .5 inches of H2O each half hour. It varies slightly by zone and water pressure. I believe you suggested .5 inches 2x per week as Zoysia usually needs 1-1.75 inches of water per week, until it gets hot then bump up to 1.75. The grass is still a baby. It's been in a year and seems to have good roots so far. I just want it to grow!
I'm keeping a close eye on the browning of the leaves. If you can find any help for me on that I would be grateful. I know I'm in an uphill battle with this grass, beating the odds will be tough, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. It's a learning process for all of us. Grateful.
Thank you!
Christy DallmannCassey, great to meet you this afternoon. I appreciate you coming out to look at the lawn and your good advice.Here is the website for the Zoysia that I have purchased. I trust you find it informative and helpful.Let me know if you get this email.Thank you!Christy Dallmann
Christy,
I think you've got a good plan in place. It could be worth doing a soil test to double check your nutrient levels in the soil, you can take 5-10 samples about 4-6" deep around the lawn and mix up about 1-2 cups of soil, dry thoroughly out of the sun and send to a soil testing lab.
Some good labs are:
CSU Soil and Water Testing Labs
Weld Labs
Ward Labs
That way we can rule out any nutrient issues. Feel free to email me directly as well <personal data hidden>.
~ Cassey
I think you've got a good plan in place. It could be worth doing a soil test to double check your nutrient levels in the soil, you can take 5-10 samples about 4-6" deep around the lawn and mix up about 1-2 cups of soil, dry thoroughly out of the sun and send to a soil testing lab.
Some good labs are:
CSU Soil and Water Testing Labs
Weld Labs
Ward Labs
That way we can rule out any nutrient issues. Feel free to email me directly as well <personal data hidden>.
~ Cassey
Here's a couple pictures of my zoysia. I put an antifungal on the grass 2x now. 14 days apart, been watering 60 minutes a week, going to 90 minutes this week due to heat. Fertilized 1 week ago. Seems water is my friend. Appears as if the leaf blight is under control at the moment. New growth is coming in.
I'm considering fertilizing at half strength for the struggling areas and maybe additional water for them. Thoughts?
Appreciate it.
I would stick with the low fertilizer and keep up the water especially through this heat. I also would not suggest additional fungal treatment, it's so dry that it's unlikely much fungal growth will happen even with a little extra water. Glad it's continuing to fill in for you.
Thank you, have a great 4th!
Cassey, the grass is doing well! It's always a challenge but for the moment, it's a lovely emerald green.
Another question please: I have removed the fungus ridden blue chip junipers that lined my walkway from the drive to my front door. I'm looking to replace the plants, I'd like something waterwise. I need the plant to be low growing and attractive year round. Any thoughts and suggestions? I'd very much appreciate it.
Thank you!
Christy DallmannChristy,
For waterwise, low- growing shrubs I would look at manzanita or a creeping three leaf sumac. There are more options if you're ok with a taller growth, see: https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/07229.pdf
Glad the zoysia is going well so far!
~ Cassey
For waterwise, low- growing shrubs I would look at manzanita or a creeping three leaf sumac. There are more options if you're ok with a taller growth, see: https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/07229.pdf
Glad the zoysia is going well so far!
~ Cassey
Appreciate it! Thank you
