I have been watering at night three times a week. There is your problem, you are over-watering at the wrong time and now have a fungus called BROWN PATCH. Also sounds like you are not mowing enough. Zoysia is very drought resistant, and should only be wayered when it is needed in the morning hours, not at night. You need to learn how to water properly and when to do it. Basic rule of thumb is once a week at a rate of 1-inch per application. If Mother Nature provides water, you don't. The best method is to lok at the grass, it will tell you when it needs water. Emerald Zoysia needs to be maintained at 1-inch, therefore mowed every 4 to 7 days.

Emerald is much darker in color, finer textured, more shade tolerant, and better cold tolerance than Zenith. Since the installer will charge the same for both makes it a NO BRAINER IMO

Well what was your decision? Did you go with Sod or Seed? My husband and I had Zenith Zoysia sod put down this past May. That was the best decision we ever made. I have never seen grass so thick.

Hi Quirky, and thanks for the response. I once considered Fescue but decided a warm season grass would be more suited to my needs. The acre or so that the intended "lawn area" is part of is elevated and has been cleared of trees and almost completely of weeds. By definition the vast majority of it is full sun (at least 6 hours or more). Still, I haven't completely made up my mind yet. 2 or 3 years ago when I contacted our local sod grower to get pricing the zoysia sod was about twice that of the Bermuda. They told me they only produce the zoysia at their farm in the gulf coast and it would have to be trucked in but they sell it all over the southeast. By contrast they grow the Bermuda at their local farm less than 10 miles from here. I figured local would be better but if you say you can get them for about the same price then I need to do some more shopping around. Thanks again for the input. Sincerely, Danielle