Zoysia grasses, like Sir Grange Zoysia and Zoysia Australis, are a popular choice for Aussie homes. Known for their versatility, they’re used everywhere from backyards to public spaces to golf courses. In this blog, we’ll share the best tips for looking after your Zoysia lawn.
Skip to: How Often Should I Mow My Zoysia Lawn? Should I Fertilise My Zoysia Lawn? How Much Water Does a Zoysia Lawn Need? What Weed Killers Can I Use on a Zoysia Lawn? How Much Sunlight Does a Zoysia Lawn Need?
When looking at zoysia grasses, it is best to first work out what type of zoysia you have. Two of the most popular zoysia types available include zoysia japonica’s and zoysia matrella’s. Zoysia japonica’s, like Zoysia Australis, are faster-growing grasses compared to slow-growing zoysia matrella’s, like Sir Grange Zoysia.
How Often Should I Mow My Zoysia Lawn?
For all turf types, it is best to ensure you mow your lawn regularly to help keep your lawn healthy. When mowing, it is best to ensure you are following the one-third rule. This rule ensures you mow the lawn regularly enough to remove only one-third of the leaf blade with each pass.
For slower-growing zoysia matrella grasses like Sir Grange Zoysia, this means you don’t need to mow as frequently as you would with Zoysia Australis or at all.
Should I Fertilise My Zoysia Lawn?
Zoysia japonica’s like Zoysia Australis will generally need around three applications of a well-rounded granular fertiliser per year. An application in spring, summer and autumn is ideal.
Zoysia matrella turfgrasses will require fewer nutritional inputs, requiring two applications of a granular fertiliser per year. Once in spring and then again in autumn.
For fertilising, we recommend using a fertiliser that has a good all-round base of nutrients, with a balanced NPK ratio. We recommend using either our Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or ProPlus Mini Prill.
If your zoysia lawn in between applications looks like it needs a bit of a boost or is lacking nutrients, we then recommend using a foliar fertiliser like Exceed to help give the lawn a quick and upfront boost. Exceed is available in both an easy-to-use hose-on bottle and a concentrate.
When entering the winter dormancy period and heading into spring, an application of an iron-based product, like Iron Guard Plus will assist with strengthening and providing colour during periods of seasonal transition.
How Much Water Does a Zoysia Lawn Need?
As zoysia grasses are native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific region, they will generally prefer hot and humid conditions where rainfall levels are high. These grasses have good drought tolerance once established, but they will lose some colour when irrigation is needed.
Some tell-tale signs that your lawn needs water include:
- Leaf is losing colour
- Lawn is looking dry or crusty in hot weather
- Wilting leaf
- When walking on your lawn and a footprint is left behind.
What Weed Killers Can I Use on a Zoysia Lawn?
Whenever using weed killers on your lawn, it is always best to ensure you read through the whole label before use. Herbicide labels will state what turfgrasses they are safe for use on.
As zoysia grasses, are still relatively new to the Australian market, some herbicides may not state whether or not they are safe for use on Zoysia Grass. If this case with the product you are wanting to use, it is always best to consult with the product manufacturer before use.
For removing common broadleaf weeds like clover, bindii, oxalis and more, we recommend using a broadleaf herbicide like All Purpose Weed Control.
How Much Sunlight Does a Zoysia Lawn Need?
Zoysia grasses generally have a good shade tolerance and will be able to thrive in areas that receive as little as 4 hours of direct light per day.
However, it is important to note that, as Sir Grange Zoysia is a slower-growing grass, its establishment period will be longer (up to 1 full growing season). During this establishment period, it will require full sun, and then once fully established, it will develop its shade tolerance.
For more lawn care tips and advice, check out our other lawn care blogs.
