skip to main content

Watering Zoysia - frequency

13 years ago

It will have been one month this weekend since I planted Zoysia seed in our back yard. And one week since we did the sides and front in Zoysia sod. Both are doing well. The weeds in the back yard are doing even better, but that's another subject.

I live in central Florida, the soil is quite sandy.

I pulled up the corner of a piece of sod last night, and saw lots of new roots, hanging down almost 2 inches. The lawn looks green and healthy, with a little brown along the ends of the pieces of sod.

We are on city water. Haven't gotten the first bill yet, but I'm sure it is going to be shocking. The public works department left a card in the front door yesterday with a hand written note saying "high water usage". I guess just a courtesy, in the event someone has a leaky irrigation system that they somehow don't know about.

We have been getting little to no rain the last 3 weeks. I started out watering the back (seeded) part, 15 minutes, 3 times a day. Yesterday I changed that to once a day.

I watered in the new sod last weekend until the ground under the sod was completely soaked. Since then I've been watering it at 5:30 a.m. for 25 minutes.

I'd like to not water any more than I have to. As it is, I'm sure the water is going to end up costing more than the sod, seed, and straw, put together.

What is the suggested frequency for sod and new seed at this point? When and how much can I cut back?

Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

botanicalbill
13 years ago
So what did you sod, Empire? What did you seed? The sod will take off, just make sure you do not get a grub or billbug infestation. They seem to like new sod.
johnb352
Original Author
13 years ago
So what did you sod, Empire? What did you seed?

The sod is Empire. The seed manufacturer was Pennington, and I believe it was Zenith.

Looking for suggestions on what the recommended watering time and frequency would be at this point.
Related Discussions
Watering frequency with 5:1:1 & GM
Q
Comments (0)
How often should I water? I started a few experiments with each, 4" nursery pot, 5" glazed ceramic, and a few 8oz yogurt cups I used for seed starting I will eventually be using the gritty mix in larger pots for dwarf/semi dwarf (not Bonzai) Japanese Maples. I assume the frequency will be decreased in larger pots. (?) Also I found a great source for 1/8 screening, which I couldn't find anywhere. I tried (rather unsuccessfully) to double up and offset the 1/4" to make 1/8. After I quit for the day in the garden, and went in for the evening, I went to feed/water my Crested Gecko, and lo and behold the reptile cage screen top is a perfect 1/8", and heavy duty too! worked like a charm, and you can pick one up at a pet store for under $15 Thanx, Mark
...See More
New Zoysia Sod, Need Watering Advice
Q
Comments (8)
You will not be over-watering. You will want to keep watering on that schedule for as long as the heat wave lasts. You will want to water 4 times per day for the first 12-14 days. Then when you can't pull the sod up because the roots are taking hold, that is when you start to back off the watering frequency to allow for deeper root growth. Remember, do not over-fertilize zoysia. Zoysia only needs about 2-3 lbs. N/1000 sq.ft. per year. Mow at 2" height of cut. For the rest of this first season, I would advise you to collect your clippings. Also, be observant of turf disease during this time of heavy watering in hot, humid weather. I hope you enjoy the beauty of your new zoysia lawn.
...See More
Question regarding watering frequency for roses during heat
Q
Comments (2)
I'm no rose expert, but my roses have never been bothered by high temperatures. If they were container-grown, a good soaking the day before a heat wave should do it, and then water again in about three days as long as you're not seeing droopy branch tips before that. If they were bare root they might need more water since the roots aren't as extensive during their first year. I've never been able to overwater my roses, so err on the side of a good watering this week.
...See More
watering frequency
Q
Comments (1)
Depends on size of the cells, the type of planting medium, relative humidity, how much water is applied per watering, size of plant as they grow, type of plants (plants' moisture needs), etc. In other words, there are way to many variables for even a guess. Check the planting medium regularly until you get a good feel for the watering requirements.
...See More
botanicalbill
13 years ago
I can help you with the sod by my experience.

I put down the sod in march. Im in SW florida and have sugar sand as soil. I watered the new sod twice a day for 15 min each for about two weeks. Then to once a day for 25 min. Now I water twice a week for an hour, if it doesnt rain. The sod is thick and grows enough where I have to mow once a week, twice if I want to kill some time. I did notice that after I put the sod down, I had grubs or billbugs and they browned up the sod in irrigular patches. I put down some dylox and have not had a problem and the sod bounced right back.
I have fertilized with a 10-10-10 and have only done that once. I just hit the lawn and shrubs with a water based mirical grow. Seems the lawn says very green with little fertilizer.
I mow at ~2 inches. It seems good at that height, I did take it a bit lower during the begining of the rainy season. I noticed I scalped it in a few spots, slopes, at the lower height. It recovered from the scalping in a week.

I know im not telling you anything exact, but its what I had to experience with the empire.

Related Stories

SAVING WATER Great Plants for Lush, Low-Water Gardens

By Christine Tusher

Water restrictions making your garden look washed out? Give it living color with unthirsty grasses, flowers and succulents

SAVING WATER Xeriscape Gardens: How to Get a Beautiful Landscape With Less Water

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Conserve water and make gardening much easier with the xeriscape approach’s 7 principles

SAVING WATER 11 Ways to Save Water at Home

By Carol Crotta

Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Ideas for a Creative, Water-Conscious Yard

By Laura Gaskill

Check out these tips for a great-looking outdoor area that needs less water

LIFE The Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home

Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Things to Know About Watering Your Native Garden

By Oakley Gardens

Ensure the success of your new plantings with a smart approach to irrigation

LANDSCAPE DESIGN California Says Goodbye to the Sprawling Ornamental Lawn

By Annie Thornton

New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Soak It Up: How to Manage Stormwater in Your Landscape

By Falon Mihalic

Permeable paving, gravel beds and planted areas in your yard can absorb and cleanse stormwater runoff. Here's how it works

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's October Checklist

Softer light and milder weather make desert gardens a real joy this month, but watch the water and don't forget to plan

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Low-Maintenance Calliandra Eriophylla

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Pink, puffy flowers of pink fairy duster transform the lacy foliage of this desert native in spring

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Sowed a month ago, but little to no germination

5

Giardia Prevention Help

2

plastic netting implanted in lawn!

2

Every spring and fall with pre-emergent, but still lot weeds???

3

Plastic netting in lawn starter

2