When choosing the right type of grass, you must first consider where you live and the climate you will be growing your grass. It is important to learn about different grass types so you can choose the right type of sod for your individual needs. NG Turf’s Sod School has published an assortment of articles on grass varieties such as Choosing the Best Sod Variety, Choosing the Best Bermuda Grass, and Shade Tolerant Sod. With that being said, this article will focus solely on all things Zoysia!
Zoysia Facts:
Warm Season Grass Zoysia is a warm season grass. It can be found throughout the southern two-thirds of the United States because it performs wells in heat and tolerates cooler weather. While zoysia is more common in the south, it can still survive in the transition zones. *map of US zones*
Shade Tolerant As a warm season grass, zoysia tolerates shade in the southern parts of the United States. Zoysia thrives in the sun, but will survive in the shade with at least 3-4 hours of sunlight.
Dormancy Zoysia typically goes dormant once the first frost of the year happens but is also one of the first grass types to turn green in the spring. Once soil temperatures reach 50 degrees again, zoysia will come back full and green.
Zoysia Characteristics
grows thick, like soft carpet strong, medium-thick blades grows very densely, which chokes out weeds making it difficult for weeds become established in the lawn produces rhizomes and stolons that creep and expand horizontally *see below* adapts to a variety of soil conditions (sandy, clay, and loamy) does well in drought conditions low maintenance