Adaptation and Use
A highly versatile species, zoysia grasses make ideal lawn grasses in some situations and can be used on golf courses, parks and athletic fields. They can be grown in all kinds of soils ranging from sands to clays and both acid and alkaline in reaction. In the U.S., zoysia grasses are adapted along the Atlantic coast from Florida to Connecticut and along the Gulf Coast to Texas. They are also adapted throughout the transition zone of the U.S. and in California. Because it requires so little mowing (in some cases ), zoysia is sometimes called “the lazy man’s grass”!
What Are the Climate Adaptations of Zoysia?
- You live in a sunny spot.
- Your property has warm summers and mild winters.
- You have the patience for a slow-growing, slow-spreading grass that needs regular maintenance.
- You can afford the initial investment of buying turf or grass seed.
How Drought-Tolerant Is Zoysia Grass?
With all that said, there are still a few caveats to keep in mind when considering the drought tolerance of Zoysia.
The most important thing to know about Zoysia grass is that it is only tolerant of drought conditions after it is established. For the first year or two after you plant your grass, you will need to give it supplemental irrigation to help maintain its health and growth.
After this period, however, the drought-tolerance of zoysia starts showing itself. Zoysia is a warm-season grass, so in periods of extreme drought (or intense heat) it will naturally go dormant. This means that your lawn may look brown and dead for a season or more, but if you continue to water occasionally at these times (or get a little rain), your lawn can bounce back with no ill effects.
Does Zoysia Need a Lot of Moisture?
The main thing to know about watering your zoysia lawn is that it does not need a lot of water. The grass has a deep root system, so it is drought tolerant and can go dormant in the winter when water is short. If you have established zoysia, it will need only regular irrigation in the growing season to keep it green and thriving. However, you will still have to be careful not to overwater your zoysia lawn because too much moisture can result in thatch buildup.
It’s also important to note that new zoysia grass needs regular watering during its first year or two after planting so that the roots can become established, or grow deep enough into the soil for the plant to survive on its own. During this period, you should water your newly planted sod every three days until each section is well established and healthy. As long as temperatures stay above 60 degrees Fahrenheit during this time, most new turfgrass grows quickly enough for there not to be any problem with weeds taking hold before winter
What About Heat Tolerance?
You may have heard: zoysia is a highly heat tolerant grass. But what about cold tolerance? Or drought or salt tolerance?
Heat, Cold, Drought and Salinity Tolerant
Zoysias are well-known for their heat tolerance, and they are also very tolerant of cold. This means they can be grown in a wide range of climatic conditions. Zoysia grasses grow best in frost-free areas and can withstand light frosts without injury. Zoysiagrass is more adaptable to salt than other turfgrasses but does not tolerate soil salinity as well as seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum). It also tolerates direct sun better than many other warm season grasses (including centipede), possibly because it grows more upright than most others.
Can I Grow Zoysia Grass in Cold Climates?
You should consider whether your planting location will be protected enough to allow your zoysia grass to survive.
The winter cold tolerance of many warm-season grasses is improved by a blanket of snow. Therefore, if you live in an area that has plenty of snow during the winter, then it is likely that you can grow zoysia grass successfully. In areas with few or no snowfalls, the winter injury can be severe enough that zoysia would need to be considered an annual grass and re-seeded each spring for best survival rates.
What Is the Downside to Zoysia Grass?
Before we get going with the Zoysia grass , a little refresher: Zoysia is a warm-season grass, which means that it can only survive in an area that has at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit all summer long. While this might not seem like a problem when you’re in the middle of Florida, it’s crucial to understanding what kind of grass you want for your landscape. In winter, all warm-season grasses go dormant and will stop growing. However, if you have cold winters and need to plant beds or flowerbeds in the spring so that they’ll be ready for fall planting or blooming, then this fact is actually a bonus! All you have to do is keep Zoysia trimmed and well watered throughout the winter months so that it continues to grow and establish itself. You don’t have to worry about buying another type of grass for spring planting if your winter hasn’t been particularly harsh on your plants!
About this section heading… When planting new lawns, many people go with perennial grasses because they look nice year after year. This is great but makes maintaining these lawns more difficult over time as they are harder to kill weed seeds germinate on them. With a perennial lawn you must use weed killers every year or there would be no weeds left in your home by springtime (and none would be able to germinate). This is why zoysiagrass works so well since it has low seed germination rate making maintenance much easier when compared with other types of grasses such as Bermuda and St. Augustinegrass . These types of lawns require quite a bit of fertilization throughout the summer months and most people do not realize that this can cause soil compaction (forcing dirt into small crevices making them harder for water to seep through). Also make sure that you mow your lawn at least twice per week during peak growing times (such as during the summer). Otherwise these weeds will take over any weak
Zoysia is adaptable, but not perfect for every climate.
The plant that may be most familiar to you is zoysia grass, a warm season grass used for landscaping and golf greens in the southeastern United States. Around here, it’s also called buffalo-grass or buffel grass. It can tolerate summer heat, drought, and poor soils. It grows in a wide range of climates: from semiarid regions like the American southwest to areas with mild winters along the coast like Florida. The variation in climate tolerances make zoysia an adaptable plant that is suitable for many different locations.