Simple you don't. Leave it where it is at and enjoy the time off. When it warms up next spring, then you can cut it down.

Well, there's more to it than that. I had posted another question on this subject, but everyone that answered kept taking it in a different direction, so I just gave up and decided to start over.

The lawn was put in last year. It game in looking great. Very thick. But this year it seems like it is all stems. There are only blades of grass the last 1" or so. If I part the grass with my foot or hand, I can easily see the bare ground. It wasn't like this last year.

So I am wondering if I cut it down short, will it come back if there is nothing but stem left after I cut it? That is, if I do that when its dormant? Or will that kill it?

You do not want to take it down this late in the year period. It would never recover before it goes dormant this winter. If you do cut it now, you could likely kill it when winter arrives. So relax, let it go dormant and take winter off. Worry about it next spring, you have no other choice right now.

Well, I was really inquiring about cutting in the winter, not while it's still green.

But, I think you're saying just wait 'til spring when it has come out of dormancy? And bring it down little by little?

I'm not so concerned about the height. It is fairly tall for Zoysia. I cut it at about 3 3/4 to 4", and bring it down to about 3". What concerns me, and the whole point of writing this, is how little of that overall 3" length is blades of grass, versus stem. It's a lot more stem this year, compared to last year.

I really appreciate you answering this TW, there aren't a lot of people on this forum knowledgeable about Zoysia.

I'm not so concerned about the height. It is fairly tall for Zoysia. I cut it at about 3 3/4 to 4"

Right there is a lot of your problem. That is way to high and yeah I would imagine it got leggy. What variety do you have?

"I had posted another question on this subject, but everyone that answered kept taking it in a different direction, so I just gave up and decided to start over."
Sorry but I think your other posting-question didn't get the answer you wanted -- cutting it too short.
TW just gave you the same answer.
"I really appreciate you answering this TW, there aren't a lot of people on this forum knowledgeable about Zoysia."
You are correct, one of us asked a question about cutting Zoysia - that had heretofore been cut at too long height.
You were also furnished with links to the University of Georgia and Florida that deals with cutting Zoysia.
TW's first response is good advice.

I agree with some others here, don't cut it at this point or you could risk killing it off.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wynnâs Intensive Lawn Care

TW: the Zoysia is Empire.

fruitfarfla: All I wanted to know was a "yes" or "no" to "can it be cut when it is dormant, if I cut it so short there are no blades of grass left". The "answers" to my question were more questions. I already realized that the height was considered long, for Zoysia. My thought was to take advantage of winter dormancy - if that was possible without killing the grass.

Yes, the information on the links do say Zoysia should be kept shorter. That is was I was trying to correct.

Looking back a year ago Oct 22, 2010, you essentially asked the same question and got some good answers that were about the same as the current ones. At that time you said you had been cutting the Zoysia at 2 3/8 and were looking to cutting it shorter for the cool/cold season. This year you said that you were cutting it at 3 3/4 - 4 inches and asked if it was a good idea to cut it short for the cold season even though the grass blades were very short. I hope you are comfortable with your grass irrespective of length.

I like the last comment by Texasweed. Fertilizing is important to get healthy zoysia. I lime my zoysia in spring and fall, of course testing soil PH first. I never used lime before, and wow what a difference. Also I used broadleaf weedkiller to get rid of any weeds that pop up. In the fall I let it turn brown and never cut it until spring. I leave it alone at 3.5 to 4 inches. I had cut it short one fall and it took until mid-summer to fully recover. Zoysia lover here... Sharp mower blades are oh so important as texas_weed suggests.

Zoysia will grow very little BLADE when it is allowed to be grown to TALL. 3 the 4 inch is way too tall. That is exactly the cause for little blade & LOTTA STEM. FLA Zone 9 zoysia. Nice Honda double blade cutting low as possible. In Spring after dormancy CUT IT LOW as Texas said Go Low. Then as I say whatever my Honda allows at the lowest just run iT. Looks great. 3rd year in so Next Spring heavy aeration possibly dethatch if warranted. I was bagging a lot to inhibit insects while in foundational new lawn stages. Now I mulch & feed the grass with clippings & reg fertilization. Love the zoysia. 2nd home with this & I am hooked. Neighbors Floratam is a PITA. monk