Whats growing in Empire Zoysia sod?
User
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (8)
dchall_san_antonio
8 years agosell_it
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Empire Zoysia Sod not Greening
Comments (8)You might try Ironite to see if that will help out some. I just bought some (in 40 lb bags) from Home Depot, and put it on my new Empire Zoysia (a few days ago) that was sodded a few weeks ago in the Atlanta area. My Empire grass is already a darker shade of green (just days after the Ironite was applied) and is doing very nicely. I understand that Empire Zoysia really loves Iron, and have read that Ironite is a perfect solution in that respect. I plan to apply Ironite four times a year. Have others had success with Ironite? Please note that my sod was not in perfect shape when I installed it myself (it had some thatch and yellowing). I actually bought about 2/3rds of a pallet from Home Depot to replace an area of partially shaded Bermuda on a slope. The Bermuda was not doing well from the partial shade and erosion was occurring from a lot of recent heavy rains. Evidentally, the sod had been sitting on Home DEpot's lot for a couple of days because it had some thatch and was starting to yellow. I put out a 10-10-10 starter fertizer and watered it in for a few weeks (and it rained a good bit also). Then I added Ironite. I also had gently raked out most of the thatch a couple of times using a metal leaf rake. Now, the Empire is looking very good. In fact, I like it so much that I will soon add 5 more pallets (but this time delivered directly from a sod farm), and I'll get some help to install it quickly. I plan to till the soil and add top soil, humus (and lime if needed) prior to installing the sod. Anyways good luck with your lawn. Ironite might help some, but that one area where most of your sod looks dead may take a while to recover if not replaced....See MoreEmpire zoysia grass sod what seed to use in the middle?
Comments (2)Tweaking saltcedar's comment -- perhaps a mix of perennial and annual rye might work well. For example, a mix of one part perennial and two parts annual. A question for you, ryker-lakes, is -- what kind of tool will you be using to cut up 3 pallets of sod? I am interested because I may do the same....See MoreHELP! Need to re-sod and need advice/tips - North Fla - Empire Zoysia
Comments (7)If you're not going to water in the summer, then anything but St Aug will be better than St Aug. It will die if not watered once a month or so. If the zoysia does not do well in the shade, then St Aug is the only option. So then, in prep for sod, no need to rototill or aerate. Just rake or scrape off the surface dead growth. Then lay the sod. Make sure they leave no gaps between sod pieces. The sod pieces should be staggered meaning that it should not look like a checkerboard. They should roll the sod down to ensure good contact between the roots and the soil. Then start watering briefly (5-10 minutes), 3x per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner times), for the next 2 weeks. Then check a few pieces to see if they have knit to the soil. Try lifting a corner. By then the roots should be biting into the soil. Then you can back off on watering until you are watering deeply (1 inch) and infrequently (once per week max during the hottest heat of summer). That watering schedule may be much different from what your neighbors say and all your local advice, but their daily watering schedule does not develop a great root system. Daily watering also encourages every weed seed to sprout, and you don't want that. So as soon as the sod knits down, start backing off on the watering frequency. Are you interested in an inexpensive organic fertilizing routine. Here is a picture of a zoysia lawn with a handful of alfalfa pellets (rabbit chow) applied a month earlier... You can see the improved color, density and growth. Alfalfa is usually applied at 15-20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. You can buy it at any feed store in 50-pound bags. You and your daughter might appreciate organic....See MoreEmpire Zoysia vs. Crown Zoysia
Comments (7)Is St Augustine an alternative you'd consider? It looks a lot like centipede but can take more stress. But it might not be able to take as much stress as your dog can give it. Zoysia is a slow growing grass. That means as the dog wears it out, it will not return to normal until the dog is gone. The dog can wear it out faster than the grass can return. Most dog/grass interactions are like that. Even my St Augustine has a path where the 65-pound dog goes around to get to the front of the house....See Moredchall_san_antonio
8 years agosell_it
8 years agomorpheuspa (6B/7A, E. PA)
8 years agosell_it
8 years agodchall_san_antonio
8 years ago
Related Stories
REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDESTexas Gardener's April Checklist
Get your sowing and planting on — spring brings a tantalizing array of possibilities in the garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES5 Great Grasses for a New Lawn
Learn about maintenance, wear tolerance, ideal climate and more for these top turf choices to pick the right one for you
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives
Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNCalifornia Says Goodbye to the Sprawling Ornamental Lawn
New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards
Full StorySAVING WATERGreat Plants for Lush, Low-Water Gardens
Water restrictions making your garden look washed out? Give it living color with unthirsty grasses, flowers and succulents
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSouthwest 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
Full Story
morpheuspa (6B/7A, E. PA)